Jews are celebrating the eight-day festival of Hanukkah (December 16-23), which remembers the story of the rededicated ancient temple in Jerusalem and a ritual flame that miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was enough oil for only one.

President Obama: “Happy Hanukkah, everybody.”

President and Mrs. Obama hosted more than 500 Jewish leaders from across the country at a Hanukkah reception at the White House Wednesday (December 17).

President Obama: “The Hanukkah story teaches us that our light can shine brighter than even we could imagine, with a little bit of faith, and making sure that it’s up to us to provide that first spark.”

The candles were in a menorah made by students at an interfaith bilingual school in Jerusalem. Part of the school was damaged by arsonists in November, but officials said it will nonetheless continue on its path of peaceful coexistence. As is traditional, a giant menorah was also displayed outside the White House.

For Christians, final preparations are underway for Christmas (December 25). But it will be a difficult holiday season this year in Sierra Leone, which currently has the most Ebola infections in West Africa. The government there has banned all public Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in an effort to help stop the spread of the deadly virus.

Festivities are in full swing in many other parts of the world. At the Vatican, Pope Francis has a busy holiday schedule. He urged people to be joyful as they prepare for Christmas and to thank God each day for the blessings they have been given. There was plenty of pre-Christmas joy on Wednesday, when Francis celebrated his 78th birthday. Crowds of pilgrims sang “Happy Birthday” to him, and in honor of his Argentinian roots, a flash mob danced the tango.