Hanukkah.

Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights commemorates the consecration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

It falls on the 25th day of Kislev which is near the Winter Solstice - The Birth of the Sun in Pagan religions.

Its observance involves the lighting of the Menorah or nine-branch candlestick.

One candle is lit on each night of the eight day period* from the central candle - the Shamash or helper.

This is also a Light festival and it falls near Christmas which is the day we celebrate the Light of Jesus born into the world.


* The candles of the menorah had miraculously lasted for eight days with only one day's oil.

Photo Credit: drake lelane Flickr via Compfight cc