Happy Chanukah – 7th Night

Happy Chanukah – 7th Night
Originally uploaded by danielgreene.

I find it challenging to do anything "religiously" (i.e. "consistently," pun intended), and remembering to take a photo of the chanukiah each night of Chanukah this year was no exception. It’s enough just to remember to light the candles (or, in this case, turn the light bulbs) each night at sundown, much less remember to take a photo of it after dark. So, forgive me for only offering the first and second nights, and the seventh (and if I remember tonight) the eighth nights.

I decided to take this one with my better camera, and I went for a different angle this time because I liked the way the lights were reflected not once but twice in the dual-pane window.

On another note, I have a comment to make about holiday wishes as this time of year. Most people say, "Merry Christmas," even in the middle of Chanukah. The few times I’ve tried saying, "Thank you! And a Happy Chanukah to you!" people have said, "Oh yes! And a happy Kwanzaa and all that." If people want to wish me a Merry Christmas, why shouldn’t I wish them a Happy Chanukah? I find it a bit insulting when people seem to compare my religious holiday that predates Christmas with one that was invented in 1966. I even find it a bit amusing and awkward when people wish me a "Happy Holiday" in the middle of Chanukah, and I see the looks on their faces when I say, "Thanks! I’m having one."

So, don’t be afraid to say Merry Christmas, but try being open to "Happy Chanukah" without throwing Kwanzaa into the mix to show how tired you are of being open to "diversity."