Skip to main content

Why We Celebrate Hanukkah

                                                                                 
Thanksgiving is over and the season of Advent has begun. For many Christians it is a time to eagerly prepare and await Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. A time to celebrate the birth of the King of all Kings, Jehovah, Jesus. A time to remember how God came to earth, got His hands dirty and became human, in order to offer salvation once and for all to everyone.

In our house we are enjoying Advent, but before we get all excited for Christmas there is a season that comes first, the eight days of Hanukkah. Oh Hanukkah. The Jewish festival of lights, of dedication, of God's provision. No, we are not Jewish. So, why do we celebrate this Jewish holiday? Many in our crazy culture could accuse us of "cultural appropriation" or some such silliness. No, it isn't that.

Jesus was a Jew. Jesus celebrate Hanukkah. In order to understand why I think Hanukkah is important, let's discuss what Hanukkah is. Back in the days before Jesus was born the Jews had a series of different cultures coming in and taking over. Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and the list goes on. About a century before Jesus would be born some zealots from one of the big Jewish families (the Maccabees) had had enough provision. They revolted (to know more search Books of Maccabees online).

Hanukkah celebrates the time right after the revolt when the temple was cleaned and rededicated to God. There was very little oil, it should have only lasted for about 24 hours, but God allowed it to last for eight days (approximately 192 hours) while the Jews worked to clean, purify and rededicate the temple to God (before that it was unused or used by others to worship things that weren't the true God). A miracle indeed.

Hanukkah shows that God provides for His children. God knows what we need most and those Jews needed the oil to last, so God allowed it to last. It shows that God is beyond science and what is expected. God created oil, God created time and God can manipulate the little bit of oil to last for as long as He wants. Hanukkah shows God's love.

Back in a time before electricity was discovered and its power was harnessed, people all over the globe were dependent upon the sun, upon oil and fire for light. God showed that He is the Light of the World, He allows candles to burn as long or as short as He wants. The Jews of Jesus' time understood the dependence upon just a few sources of light, so when Jesus states, "I am the Light of the World." they got it. Light is vitally important and Jesus is that light.

For all these reasons and more my daughter and I celebrate Hanukkah. We celebrate God providing for daily needs. We celebrate God's love. We celebrate the Light of the World. It is a great lead up to Christmas when we celebrate God entering the world as a human. Just a few weeks before Christmas we celebrate God showing His dominion over light and oil, over conventional expectations, we celebrate God seeing a group of people with a specific need and providing. Then, at Christmas we celebrate God doing the unconventional and coming to earth, becoming our salvation, our sacrifice, tearing down the curtain and changing the world. The two go hand in hand.

So, happy Hanukkah to one and all! If you want to know more and incorporate Hanukkah into your family visit: Chabad.com  and then go to Pintrest to find all the fun recipes and ways to celebrate God's provision and the re-dedication of the temple to God (now we can use the 8 days to re-dedicate our lives to our Savior as we prepare for Christmas and the annual celebration of what a gift Jesus provided).


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Heart Walked Down the Sidewalk

I didn't snap a photo.  Which is abnormal for me.  I take 8 gazillion photos because 5 concussions leaves marks.  They have affected my memory. I have memories but I have blank areas too. Things that normal people remember but I don't.  I use pictures too help. Today I walked with Snowflake to school.  At the edge of the neighborhood/ start of the school property I let her walk on by herself as I watched. She looked so small yet so confident walking to the playground.  My little girl, walking to school.  Growing up.  It wasn't just any kid walking on that sidewalk, it was my heart. Today it struck me just how quickly she is growing up now that she is in school. Things are changing.  It is good and it is natural.  I want her to be strong and independent. I want her to have confidence. I want her to enjoy this phase of life. Yet, that is my baby. I know her fears and worries. I know what bothers her.  I know what is behind the...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Daddy

Last night as we were praying my Snowflake asked, "Jesus bring me a daddy please?" It is a prayer I have heard often and one that makes me want to weep. She knows and will tell people that God is her Abba, her Father, but my sweet girl longs for a daddy.  She has a great Papa (my Dad) and an adopted Grandpa Gary. There are great male role models in her life, but she wants a dad. That is something I haven't been able to provide for her.  I was almost engaged earlier but I realized that I was doing it for the wrong reasons and with the wrong man. She will only get her deepest prayer if it is for the right reasons: 1. He loves Jesus 2. He loves me and Snowflake 3. God gives me peace.  With everything we have been through I have to approach this with my eyes wide open. I want to find my mate.  I loved being married. Marriage is a great institution, but I will be careful and my husband will be a man of God.  It will be a good union.  So, Snowflake will h...
Post a Comment
Read more

My Gift

In so many ways this child is my "mini-me", but in just as many other ways we are vastly different. It has been fun to watch her grow and become Snowflake.  To see her interests and hobbies emerge. Just like her Mom, she loves comfy & cuddly clothes at night. This outfit sums up her personality.  Fun with flair and cozy.  Exciting and comforting. While I gravitate more toward Peanuts, Pooh Bear and Calvin and Hobbes, Snowflake chooses: My Little Pony, Shopkins and Paw Patrol. We both agree on the awesomeness of the Berenstain Bears. I have always wanted to be a mom.  As a kid I pictured myself as a stay at home mom and wife.  We would have 3 kids, 2 dogs and 1 cat. Once the kids were all in school I would either be a substitute teacher or a counselor working from home. My reality is not what I pictured, dreamed of and prayed for.  My daughter spent her early years in daycare. My ex is in prison for life and our family is: Mom, daughter and 2 c...
Post a Comment
Read more