Friday, December 8, 2023
“Happy Hanukkah!”
Hanukkah has begun for our Jewish friends! Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. In case you’re unfamiliar with it, here’s a brief explanation: The Seleucid Empire (Greek-speaking Syrians) confiscated the temple in Jerusalem about 170 BCE and built an altar to Zeus in the middle of it.
Five years later, in about 165 BCE, Jewish priest and leader Judas Maccabeus defeated the Seleucids and regained the temple for the Hebrew people. Upon occupation of the temple, Maccabeus lit the Menorah, a multi-branch, oil-burning candle. When Maccabeus lit the candle, the people expected the candle would only burn for one day because that’s all the lamp oil they had. Miraculously, the candle burned for eight days until the new oil was prepared and ready. The number eight is significant because it stands for renewal or rebirth, indicating the rebirth of the Hebrew Faith at that time. Jesus would have celebrated Hannukah throughout his life (John 10:22).
In memory of the event, our Hebrew brothers and sisters celebrate Hannukah each year for eight days, today being Day One (Night Two). As part of the tradition, they’ll exchange gifts on each day during the season and light the appropriate candles in their homes. No little drummer boys or barnyard animals. Instead, our Hebrew brethren celebrate the recognition of God’s miraculous work to protect, nurture, and rebirth His people. I think that’s cool, don’t you?
Are you part of the Hebrew faith? Well, Happy Hannukah! If you’re like me, professing something different, consider offering a prayer of thanksgiving for our Hebrew brothers and sisters. For the next eight days, they’ll celebrate God’s miraculous work in their lives. Though some of us may do things differently, I think it’s amazing (and faithful) to give thanks to God for one of the many miraculous victories that the LORD grants to and for all of us!
“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.” (Psalm 145:1-2, NLT)