Light Series: Feast of Light, Hanukkah or Chanukkah

 

 

This is going to be a lot of history so bear with me and don’t be too critical of my pronunciations of the terms and names.  

Feast of Light is also called Feast of Dedication. This is an eight-day festival starting on the 25^th of the Jewish month Kislev and typically occurs in November or December. It is not mentioned in the Jewish Bible but is in the Talmud, “On the 25th of Kislev are the days of Chanukkah, which are eight... these were appointed a Festival with Hallel [prayers of praise] and thanksgiving” (Shabbat 21b, Babylonian Talmud) (Got Questions.org).

A Hellenistic Greek, Antiochus IV came into power in 175 BC and began oppressing the Jews, even putting a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacred Jews, forbid the practice of their religion, and desecrated the temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar.

A band of brave Jews led by Judah Maccabee succeeded in driving the Syrians from the Jewish land. In about December 165 BC, they entered the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and discovered it in shambles, defiled, and desecrated.

They cleansed and re-dedicated the Temple the 25^th on the Jewish month of Kislev.

From the time of Moses, the menorah should continually burn in the temple but of course it couldn’t in the hands of Antiochus’s goons. When they finally found it and went to light it, there wasn’t any oil, so they searched high and low until they found a small vial of consecrated oil.

They lit the menorah. That precious small portion lasted an unheard of eight days until they could procure more consecrated oil. A true miracle! Thus, the Feast of Lights began as a time to celebrate the event of God’s provision. For eight days the Jewish people, light one candle a day, on a special Hanukkah menorah, with eight branches, in their homes to remember and praise.

In the gospel of John 10:22-23, tells us that Jesus went to the Temple during the Feast of Dedication (Feast of Lights). We also see that Jesus went on to explain in John 10: 27-38 that by His miracles He showed that He was the long-awaited Messiah.

Also, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12 nlt).

The Lord gives all of us, Jew or Gentile, the light of life. Our job is to accept His light.

Remembering what the Lord has done in the lives of His people, back in history and also through today, including you and me, should be celebrated. So, every time you see a candle during this holiday season, remember that His light shines in you.

Is He living in your life? Have you accepted Him as the Messiah and your Savior? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Then His light shines in you.