On a cold December night all of the candles hovered closely together.

1
On a cold December night all of the candles
hovered closely together.
They were packed tightly in a small
box. Red, blue, green, purple, and yellow each
awaited a touch from the family.
 
2
Which candles wouldthe family place in their
menorah?
What colors would be
used the most this year?
3
Red couldnt wait to find out. I want to be pi
cked first! said the pushy red
candle.

No, the family will see my beautiful color and
nicely trimmed wick. I will become the great
servant candle, explained
the green stick of wax.
4
Even yellow spoke up to remind the others that
yellow was the favorite during last years
Chanukah.
The candles argued back and forth about whose
flame would shine the brightest and who stood the
straightest.
5
They spoke loudly of lighting up eight nights of
latkes, dreidels, and friends.
In all the fuss, no one noticed
the
silence of
the lonely blue candle.
Blue knew that it would never be chosen to shine
the light of Chanukah.
6
Sadly, the blue candle was broken in half.
A large crack split its bruised wax. Blue w
as destined to be overlooked for brighter, better
candles. While the other colors spoke of who w
as the greatest, blue sat to the wayside.
7
Suddenly the candles chatter hushed, as the
family opened the box. Sure enough, red was
chosen first.
Then yellow.
And then green.
8
Purple was picked next.
Two of each color was chosen for the family
chanukkiah.
The box was closed and put away. In the menora
h stood eight beautiful candles.
Though unlit, each seemed to shine with pride.
9
Then, without warning, the candle box was opened
again.
Two small fingers sorted through the colors unti
l a ninth candle, the broken blue one was chosen.
Nine candles for Chanukah? Why bring
blue out?
10
Blue was lifted across the table and into the
menorah. The family sang the blessings. A match
was struck. Each of the candles held their
breath in anticipation.
11
Which color would be lit first?
Who would be chosen as the Shamash, the helper c
andle? All of the colors watched as the flame
waived through the air.
12
The match gently touched the wick of the broken
blue candle. The color, once pushed aside and i
gnored, was now ablaze.
Blue was the Shamash the candle that would
kindle its neighbors.
13
The hurt had become the helper. The
least had become the most.
 
The greatest among them was the broken bruised
servant.
And all of the candles that once loudly fussed
were silenced.
14
In our story, the Messiah is symbolized as the
broken blue candle. While his disciples
squabbled over who was the greatest in the
Kingdom, the Savior knelt down and washed their
feet. He said that the greatest among you is
the servant. Later, He was broken and bruised
as He gave His life for all mankind.
Chanukah or the Festival of Lights is an
eight-day celebration. It commemorates the
rededication of the temple after it had been
destroyed by Greek oppression in 165BCE.
15
During Chanukah a nine branched menorah called a
"chanukiah" is lit nightly. The shammash candle
is kindled first and then used to light the
others. The Hebrew word
Chanukah literally means dedication, pointing
to the history of this holiday.
Chanukah is a set apart time for believers to
rededicate their lives to the Almighty.
for all things spiritual go to www.emetministrie
s.com