![photo5021820447502739403.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcPsZAyWzX7cXVXsdAyQPfkRdPf7rXbccWK1rGqUvLkQ1/photo5021820447502739403.jpg)

# Family Traditions Can Change

Both my wife and I grew up celebrating Christmas, but for the past five years we have thoughtfully examined our values and convictions and made changes in our family traditions. We now describe ourselves as Hebrew, by faith.

Now, our children very much look forward to Hanukkah. Today we made homemade donuts, fried in organic sunflower oil... so they are healthy ;-)

We also lit the candles for the fifth night of Hanukkah and read from Scripture and a book of history about Hanukkah. Getting the children to settle down for reading can sometimes be challenging, but it is endearing when they ask me to keep reading more even after I've finished the passage. 

### Good conversation

Last night, I had a great conversation with @ch4nel that was inspired by thoughtful reflection about this time. Hanukkah is about *re-dedication* and it causes me to think about what is important in life and what I want to spend my time doing. 

Steemit and crypto are part of the change in our lives. Crypto-currencies are a powerful tool, but they aren't the answer to all our problems. The question of what we value most and what we'd like to do has been on our minds and we've been talking about it. I'd like to write more about those things here, too.

### Wishing my fellow Steemians a Happy Hanukkah!

-- @matthewdavid