to a celebration
of the Jewish holiday of Chanukah
December 14* - 21 1998
24 Kislev - 3 Tevet 5759
*begins at sunset Dec. 13
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights,
is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees
and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple.
It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days
The Festival of Lights is a powerful reminder each year
that the age-old struggle for religious freedom is not yet over.
From the days of the ancient Maccabees down to our present time,
tyrants have sought to deny people the free expression
of their faith and the right to live according to their own conscience and convictions.
Hanukkah symbolizes the heroic struggle of all who seek to defeat such oppression
and the miracles that come to those full of faith and courage.
This holiday holds special meaning for us in America,
where freedom of religion is one of the cornerstones of democracy.
The coming year will mark the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel,
where the story of the first Chanukah took place so many centuries ago.
As families come together in prayer for the eight nights of Chanukah,
to reaffirm their hope in God and their gratitude
for His faithfulness to His people,
may the candles of the menorah light our way to a true and lasting peace
for the people of the Middle East.
Christopher,Chrissy and I extend our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Chanukah,
all those who work for religious freedom,
and for all those who devote themselves to the cause of
peace throughout the world.