Chanukah is a festival that celebrates the miracle of the recapture and rededication of the Holy Temple by a family of righteous Priests—the Chashmonaim.
Chanukah means dedication or consecration, which is what the Priests did after gaining entry to the Temple, cleansing it and restoring the daily services.
The word "Chanukah" is also related to the word "chinuch,"
which means “education.”
Chanukah is a time to focus on the Jewish educational needs of our children.
We should provide them with a holy environment—similar to a Holy Temple, purified and sanctified by the Chashmonaim. This will help our children become true G-d-serving Jews.
Another lesson to be learned from Chanukah:
When the Chashmonaim entered the Temple, they found only one cruze of pure olive oil bearing the seal of the High Priest, with which they kindled the Menorah. A miracle occurred and the oil—which contained only one day’s
supply—lasted for eight days, until they were able to produce
new oil.
According to Jewish law, the Chashmonaim were permitted to light the Menorah with impure oil. However, they did not want to compromise
their observance of mitzvot. They would accept nothing but the best and they wanted a Holy Temple where everything was pure.
Similarly, we should make every effort to provide our children an education of complete, uncompromised Judaism.
As an incentive for the children, it is customary to give them Chanukah gelt or gifts on Chanukah.
—from Pearls for the Shabbos table