HAPPY THANKSGIVUKKAH

Something very unusual will occur this year as Jews in America celebrate Thanksgiving.  Their mashed potatoes will be replaced by potato pancakes  (latkes), a transitional Hanukkah treat.  Why?  for the first time EVER , the first day of Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, falls on Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Day is always the fourth Thursday in November.  The latest it can be is November 28th.  The earliest Hanukkah can be is November 28th.  According to the Jewish calendar, the last time the two holidays coincided was 1861. However, Thanksgiving was not formally established until 1863 (by President Lincoln). 

Thanksgiving and Hanukkah will never coincide again because the Jewish (lunar) calendar is very slowly getting out of sync with the solar calendar, so that eventually the earliest Hanukkah can be is November 29th. The next time Hanukkah falls on the 28th is 2146, which happens to be a Monday.The two holidays will converge again in the year 79,811 on the Jewish Calendar. So...This is a special year!  Some are even calling the event "Thanksgivukkah."

I  personally love Thanksgiving.  It is a constant reminder to give thanks in all things. The holiday often gets lost in all the preChristmas music, decorations and of course BLACK FRIDAY. 1Thess.5:16 says,"Rejoice in all things, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." To experience the joy of the Lord, I believe it is directly related to giving thanks.   Giving thanks is always an act of faith, more difficult in trying times, but always pleasing to God. It makes a way for the joy of the Lord to be present, despite adverse circumstances. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVUKKAH!!!!!