Write Team: Make room in our hearts

Is there enough room in our hearts?

Tomorrow is the first day of Hanukkah and is also Christmas Day. Meaningful beliefs, music and customs accompany both teachings.

Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday. Over 2,000 years ago, Jews in Judea were ordered to abandon their traditions and religion. A small Jewish army rebelled and retook their temple in Jerusalem. The temple had to be cleaned and rededicated. There was enough consecrated oil for the candelabra to be relit for just one day, but it lasted for eight days. This miracle led to the tradition of lighting a menorah.

Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God, in Bethlehem. Christians believe that Jesus came to bring the good news and promise of eternal life. Jesus was born in a humble barn as the ultimate gift, bringing hope to mankind. Crèches and nativity sets with angels, Wise Men, shepherds and animals reenact the Holy Family’s journey.

Both religions remain centered around miracles, light, family, sharing and giving.

I discovered the book, “The Trees of the Dancing Goats” by Patricia Polacco when I was the librarian at Lincoln School. It is the perfect example of acceptance, tolerance and sacrifice found in true love.

Patricia’s family is Jewish and their surrounding neighbors are Christian. There is no animosity or mistrust among their community of farmers. Tricia would visit her best friend’s house and learn about Christmas; Cherry Kremmel came to Tricia’s house and experienced Hanukkah.

One year, scarlet fever raged through the community, and families fell very ill. Tricia’s family was the only one not affected by the serious disease.

On Dec. 24, as Tricia’s family celebrated the first night of Hanukkah, they reflected on the difficulties of their neighbors. None of them had been well enough to get a Christmas tree.

“We should cut down trees and take them to their houses,” Tricia’s Grampa announced.

The family got to work, cutting the tops off evergreens growing on their farm. Babushka and Momma roasted chickens and made potato latkes. They tucked the food and homemade candles into baskets.

But the trees looked plain. Grampa had carved wooden animals for their own celebration. They now hung his creations on the trees, giving each a dancing goat. Grampa and Babushka loaded up the truck and made deliveries.

A week later, there was a knock on the door of Tricia’s home. Cherry and her family arrived, recovered from the scarlet fever. Mr. Kremmel carried in a wooden menorah that he had carved. On it, he attached some of the gifted animals.

Candles were lit as both families shared the meal together. After an hour, they noticed that the candles on both menorahs were the exact same size, none burned down smaller. It was another miracle.

These families came together, despite religious differences, because they recognized that love is the most important thing there is. No judgment; just acceptance and respect.

We must make room in our hearts for that kind of love.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Holiday Blessings to all.

Karen Roth is a semiretired librarian/educator living in Ottawa. She can be reached at dbarichello@shawmedia.com.