By Nathan Barton

A belated Hanukkah greeting to all.  Although a Jewist feast and holiday, the Festival of Lights is a reminder to ALL of us, that even when liberty and freedom are lost, they CAN be regained. But always at great cost.

On a historical note, it is of interest that the Seven Lamp sigil was far more common a symbol of Israel as a people and nation, for centuries, than the now-common Star of David.  Although the events of the Rededication of the Temple in 165 BC were centuries after the reign of David, the Seven Lamps are a far better representation of both nationhood and liberty than the Star. Although David’s reign was relatively benign (following as it did the reign of Saul), it is still a consequence of the people of Israel (the Hebrews) rejecting the liberty given to them by God. They wanted to “become like all the nations around us,” and have a king (other than God). Despite God warning them through the prophet Samuel, the people chose servitude and “security.”

Can we learn from them? I pray so.

Also my apologies.

Work and family events caused a brief and unplanned delay in publishing The Price of Liberty for several weeks, as Debby and I worked 18- to 20-hour days (and long drives) to make major changes to our lives. I started a half-dozen commentaries but did not get any finished and posted.

We hope that matters will now return to normal, as resume writing about liberty and current events.  We are sorry that we’ve not gotten things out promptly: especially to people who post comments to commentary here.

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to a great Christmas/Holiday period, as we are well into Hanukkah.