PREPARING FOR THE FEAST OF DEDICATION

Another year of candle lighting, fried bread, and 8 nights of singing has come to an end! Oh, how we love Hanukkah! This truly has become our all-time family favorite feast! We look forward each year to a new theme and to be taught spiritually each night with small family devotionals.

Hanukkah is called the Feast of Dedication because it celebrates the Maccabees’ victory over Greek oppression and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. This year we chose the theme of A House of Order. This order is found in Doctrine and Covenants 109 when the Kirtland temple likewise was soon to be dedicated as another house unto the Lord, this time in our dispensation. The Prophet Joseph Smith at this time revealed unto the Saints this revelation pertaining to their spiritual and physical preparation for this upcoming glorious event.

We decided just like the Maccabees and the early church we wanted to prepare our home for our (yearly) rededication in the hope of receiving more light this upcoming year. Just like in our lives, we are constantly purging out anything to do with sin, vain philosophies of men, and Babylon —so it is for our home. During the week we would discuss if we had seen false teachings that may have crept in, could we have done better with the foods, was there any form of idolatry, or how were our attitudes and relationships with each other and friends? All of which can add to making those things sacred defiled just as in the story of the Maccabees with their temple. We felt that we would take this 8-day celebration and turn it into an 8-day preparation with the last day dedicating our home, our belongings, and lives once again to God.

PREPARATION

In preparation for this Feast of Dedication, also known as the Festival of Light, we bought white lights for all the inside trees. We set up additional candles throughout the house and bought a pretty table runner for our Hanukkiah with battery-operated lights nestled among the olive branches. Hymnbooks were laid out and additional sheet music was printed to sing for the week with.

We also spent time putting things physically into order just as well. We did some deep cleaning inside and finished the outside chores for the winter. Our home was now ready to be dedicated. The physical preparation we had done, we prayed — would make it possible for the Spirit to be present. The Spirit of the Lord brings an atmosphere of peace and contentment to an orderly home.

A HOUSE OF ORDER

Our first night began with a few of the grandchildren (Starting with the very best, right?) We discussed how these scriptures were a powerful tool to heal broken families, bring individuals into the presence of God, educate children prepared to build Zion, and arm humble Saints with the power to usher in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This section of scriptures has the principles to truly put a ‘home in order’ to receive more light through faith.

After that, each night we would gather to sing a handful of hymns and talk about a different topic— centered around this order.

We talked about how D&C 109, has a focus on the people, their worthiness, and their purity in worshipping and obeying God. Today, our focus is all on the “building”, “the castle”, “get to the temple”, “just go to the temple”, etc., etc.  We need to teach our children that It’s just a building, and it’s not magic.

God’s focus is not on the building itself, it’s on providing a place that reflects the purity of the people who built it. This is our family’s desire to become a family that reflects holiness, purity as we build our home and posterity.

FAITH: And as all have not faith

DILIGENCE: seek ye diligently

TEACH: teach one another 

WISDOM: Teach words of wisdom; 

BEST BOOKS: seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, 

STUDY & FAITH: seek learning even by study and also by faith;

ORGANIZE: Organize yourselves; 

PREPARE: prepare every needful thing, 

HOUSE: establish a house

PRAYER: even a house of prayer,

FASTING: a house of fasting,

FAITH: a house of faith

LEARNING: a house of learning,

GLORY: a house of glory,

ORDER: a house of order,

GOD: a house of God;

INCOMINGS: That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord, 

OUTGOINGS: that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord, 

SALUTATIONS: that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, 

UPLIFTED HANDS: All with uplifted hands unto the Most High—

WORTHINESS & CLEANLINESS: that it may be done to thine honor and to thy divine acceptance; And in a manner that we may be found worthy, in thy sight,

FULFILL PROMISES: to secure a fulfillment of the promises which thou hast made unto us, thy people, in the revelations given unto us;

GLORY & POWER: May rest upon the people, and feel the power

SANCTIFIED & HOLY: that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house

O COME, O COME EMMANUAL

As we gathered under the Hanukiah lights on the last night we sang one of our most favorite Hanukkah songs. With much apostasy and many people asleep there is a need for more light, more homes set in order, and families to awaken!

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

The Son of God or the Father is the light, Joseph Smith is simply the servant and witness. As Christ’s mouthpiece in this dispensation, the Prophet Joseph Smith’s mission is to reveal Christ and awaken each of us up before the bridegroom’s return. He is the crier who is spoken of in the scriptures. He is to turn our minds to the Son and back to the Father. He has provided an order for us to set up our homes to be ready to receive more light and knowledge and be ready for when the Savior comes.

What should we do when we have awakened to the cry? Learn and live the law of God. Study & “give heed unto all [Joseph Smith’s] words and commandments” Defend the “integrity and true character of Joseph [Smith], and Hyrum [Smith], and Brigham [Young] . . . ” “. . . Bear testimony to the truth of this work …” and rededicating ourselves to reflect the Gospel of Jesus Christ through every thought and deed, and even our homes.