A Christian Celebration of Hanukkah

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Happy Christian Hanukkah!  “Blessed are You, O King of the Universe, who has commanded us to be a light unto the world.”

 Although the events leading up to Hanukkah are not described in the Protestant canon, we can find the story in the Apocrypha in 1 and 2 Maccabees. In 164 B.C. Israel was ruled by the Greek empire.  The Greeks forbade the Jews from worshiping Jehovah and practicing the Mosaic Law.  The conquerors desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by sacrificing a pig on the altar and placing a statue of Zeus in the Holy of Holies. 

 Matthais Maccabeus, a priest, gathered true worshipers, including his five sons, into a small, but stalwart, army of only 12,000.  Matthais’ son Judas, became their leader. Miraculously, they defeated the Greeks and cleansed the Temple.  

 After rededicating the Temple, they wanted to light the Menorah (Lampstand) that stood in the Holy Place.  They found enough of the specially prepared olive oil to the light the Menorah for only one day.  Even so, in faith, they lighted the Menorah, and, again, miraculously, the oil burned 8 days until new oil could be prepared.

 Therefore, Hanukkah, the Hebrew word for “dedication”, is celebrated for 8 days.  Jewish people place lighted candles in the windows in celebration of this holiday.  Because of the candle lighting, Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Lights.

Biblically speaking, eight is the number of new beginnings.

 What is the significance of Hanukkah for Christians?  First of all, Scripture tells us that Jesus recognized Hanukkah. John 10:22-23 (NKJV) "Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch". 

It was during this same time that Jesus declared His role as messiah. John 10:27-30:  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one.'' 

 Secondly, the events in our world today are, in many ways, parallel, to what was happening in the time of the Maccabees.  In that time the Greeks did not seek to physically destroy the Jews.  They wanted to take away from them their faith and their customs.  They wanted to convert them to the worldly philosophies that denied the existence of a personal God and extolled the virtues of man. We see the same thing happening in the world today where many believe that man is a law unto himself and that the ways of God are antiquated and have no place in the modern world.  We identify with the struggle of the Macabees in our efforts to secure the right to celebrate Christmas and to maintain our Christian identity. 

 Hanukkah is a time to remember and to rededicate ourselves to those values that are worth fighting for and that bring love, joy and peace into our lives.  Hanukkah is a time to remember that it is the truth that sets us free.  Hanukkah is a time to declare the light of Jesus Christ.

 Below are 8 verses, one for each day, to meditate on during this Hanukkah season:

1.  Genesis 1:1-4 (NKJV) 

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 

2.   Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) 

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 

3.  Psalm 36:9 (NKJV) 

For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. 

4.  Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) 

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 

5.  Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV) 

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 

6. Isaiah 60:1-3 (NKJV) 

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 

The Gentiles (the unbelievers) shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 

7.  John 8:12 (NKJV) 

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." 

8.  Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

 During Hanukkah, I pray that we will rededicate our lives to the Lord and seek to walk in His light. Hanukkah Tova! (Happy Hanukkah.)