Although Hanukkah is not the most important holiday in the Jewish liturgical calendar, it is probably the best known because it falls during the time of year when Christians are celebrating Christmas. For both Jews and Christians, December has become a special time full of holiday symbols, family gatherings, good food and gift-giving.

The menorah is an eight-branched candelabrum that is lit, one candle each night, during Hanukkah until on the final night eight candles fueled by oil are burning brightly in Jewish homes.

The happy holiday is full of family fun, including such traditions as gift-giving and playing a popular game of chance by spinning the dreidel, a four-sided top.

The significance of the holiday is not lost in festivities, however.

Barbara Rush, a Durham author, storyteller and expert on Jewish folklore, whose book "The Lights of Hanukkah" tells the stories of 60 menorahs from 14 countries, says that Hanukkah has been interpreted in many ways. But most Jews see it as a reminder of a military victory of Jewish revolutionaries, known as "Maccabees," over foreign invaders who defiled the temple in Jerusalem in 167 B.C.

After the invaders were ousted from what was then called Palestine, Jewish tradition says Jews sought to restore worship in the temple. They could find only one cruse of oil, only enough for their lamps to burn one day. But a miracle happened, and the small amount of oil continued to burn for eight days.

Barbara and her husband, Don, lit their first Hanukkah candle last night in their new home, a townhouse in Dunbarton. The couple is in the process of moving from Hope Valley. Although they won't make the move official until early January, they decided to mark Hanukkah as an opportunity to dedicate their new home on Montrose Drive.

They invited several new neighbors and some old friends and neighbors for a short, 10-minute ceremony that the two of them created.

"The word 'Hanukkah' means 'to dedicate' and so it's appropriate [to celebrate] by dedicating our new house," Barbara Rush said. "People do different things. But just as the temple was rescued and rededicated after it was defiled by pagans, so we are dedicating our new house. We consider it a sacred place."

Prayer vigil scheduled for shooting victim

A prayer vigil to honor the life of George "Chico" Amos will be held today at 5 p.m. at 1212 Sedgefield St.

Members of all faiths and all ages are welcome.

Amos was shot on March 31 and died on July 10. He was 59.

Prayers will be led by the Rev. Gail Myers of Lakewood United Methodist Church.

The purpose of vigils for homicide victims is to bring people together to honor the lives of the victims, and to comfort their family, friends and neighbors, said Marcia Owen of the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham.

"We pray for healing in the neighborhood and throughout all Durham.

"It is also an opportunity for the voices of grief to be acknowledged and to publicly protest to the community that such violence is unacceptable and requires all those who want to promote justice and mercy to take action."

Vigils are coordinated by the Religious Coalition, Parents of Murdered Children and Durham Congregations in Action.

Cantatas narrate story of the Baby Jesus

Triangle Presbyterian in southwest Durham will present its 13th annual Christmas Cantata on Sunday during services, 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. Both presentations will be in the church sanctuary.

Beth Robbins will conduct 45 choral members, an 18-piece orchestra and two narrators in the cantata, which includes well- known numbers such as "What Child is This?" and "Little Drummer Boy."

Triangle church offers two cantatas each year, one during the Christmas season and one in the spring.

"By offering these biannual musical services, we are able to reach many people who might otherwise feel uncomfortable attending regular Sunday worship services, but feel drawn to experience a musical presentation of God's word," Robbins said.

"This is an integral part of our community outreach ministry."

The program is under the direction of Robbins, director of music ministries, and Jim Henninger, narration specialist.

The church is located at 5001 Tudor Place, off N.C. 54. East.

Book details woman's drastic career change

Hillsborough author Linda Foster Momsen will present her new book, "What I Didn't Know Then: A Woman's Journey of Feminism, Family and Faith," Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Watts Hill Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 304 E. Main St.

Now retired, Foster Momsen's book is a memoir of her journey from traditional housewife to leader of clergywomen in the United Methodist Church.

"The release of the book coincides with the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women within the United Methodist Church," she said.

Foster Momsen was involved in the feminist movement and by the mid-1970s -- when women were starting to enter seminaries in greater numbers -- she, too, followed her calling. She earned her master of divinity degree in 1979.

She served five United Methodist churches in northern Illinois before her retirement in 2005.

Lowe's Grove, St. Paul's to hold special events

The following are among special services for Sunday:

* Lowe's Grove Baptist, 4430 S. Alston Ave.: "Gather at the Manger," a musical pageant Sunday at 5 p.m. by the sanctuary choir.

* St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis Road, will have its Christmas pageant on Sunday at 5 p.m. to be followed by a lasagna supper.