As many gather around the Christmas tree, exchanging gifts and enjoying quality time with one another, others in our community and around the world will gather around nine candles, remembering a miracle shared through the centuries about a revolt, rededication and a small vial of oil that defied expectations.
It is a tale of resilience that has been lighting the way for many generations.
Often, it is confused as the "Jewish Christmas," but it is much more than that. Here is what you need to know about Hanukkah in the Jewish faith.
Nicknamed the "festival of lights," the first night of Hanukkah falls on Wednesday, Dec. 25, and lasts eight days.
Unlike Christmas, Hanukkah doesn't fall on the same day every year because it is based on the Hebrew calendar, which uses lunar and solar elements, meaning the date shifts yearly. As stated in Maccabees 2 Chapter 10, the Hebrew calendar celebrates Hanukkah on the 25th day of Kislev.
Also found in the Bible, the books of Maccabees tell the story of Maccabee soldiers -- Jewish freedom fighters -- over the Seleucid Empire in 164 BCE.The Maccabees reclaimed and rededicated Second Temple in Jerusalem after their victory. Central to the celebration is the miracle of the oil: a single day's supply that burned for eight days, symbolizing resilience and divine intervention.
Now, one candle on a menorah, or hanukkiah, is lit each night for eight nights to remember the miracle of Hanukkah.
Rabbi Carla Fenves of the Congregation Shaareth Israel in Lubbock said Hanukkah reminds the Jewish community of the fight to maintain Jewish identity throughout the ages.
"Hanukkah is a story about struggling to maintain Jewish identity, community and traditions during a challenging political landscape. The lesson that we should remain brave as Jews in the face of real risks feels just as relevant today as it did over two thousand years ago," Fenves said.
Fenves said the central theme of the holiday is that light triumphs over darkness, which can be seen through the menorah. But there is more, such as the food consumed during the holiday.
"We traditionally eat fried foods on Hanukkah because of the symbolism of the oil. Jews have lived all over the world for hundreds of years and each community has its own specific food traditions. For example, latkes come from Ashkenazic Jews from Europe, whereas bumuelos are fried doughnuts from Sephardic Jews from Latin America," Fenves said.
The Jewish community originally didn't gift presents during the holiday. Fenves said that part of the tradition was a recent development.
"That became a later addition because of its proximity to Christmas and the context of American culture. Jewish children often feel left out of Christmas festivities. We have integrated some things like decorating with lights and giving eight nights of gifts to help make this time special," Fenves said.
Fenves described the Jewish community in Lubbock as small but mighty.
"The community is tight-knit with a strong core of volunteers. I am only a part-time rabbi so the lay leaders put in a lot of hard work to ensure that we are able to celebrate holidays and Shabbat together. Volunteers fry latkes and organize opportunities to light the menorah as a community," Fenves said.
She even said there are those in the larger Lubbock community who are willing to learn about the holiday and about Judaism.
With that, Fenves said there is one important thing to remember about Hanukkah.
"Hanukkah is a relatively minor holiday in our sacred calendar. It is an ancient holiday from approximately 164 BCE, marking a historic moment of freedom to practice our traditions," Fenves said.