Tonight marks the beginning of Hanukkah in the Jewish tradition and we are currently in the season of Advent for Catholics and some Christians.
Hanukkah is a time to remember the provision of God, especially in times when things seem hopeless.
Advent is a time of waiting…waiting for the light to break through the dark. It’s a time to anticipate with hope, the coming of salvation.
No matter what your religious affiliation, I join you in waiting for hope, healing and peace this holiday season. I know, as a chronically ill person, how difficult this time of year is.
I share with you these words inscribed on the wall of the Cologne Cathedral during the Holocaust. It’s called Inscription of Hope.
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining,
And I believe in love even when there’s no one there.
And I believe in God even when He is silent,
I believe through any trial there is always a way.
But sometimes in this suff’ring and hopeless despair,
My heart cries for shelter, to know someone’s there.
But a voice rises within me saying hold on my child,
I’ll give you strength, I’ll give you hope,
Just stay a little while.
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining,
And I believe in love even when there’s no one there.
But I believe in God even when He is silent,
I believe through any trial there is always a way.
May there someday be sunshine,
May there someday be happiness,
May there someday be love,
May there someday be peace.
Stephen Fratello 