A Christian Celebration of Hannukah: Night 1

Tonight is the first night of Hannukah.  Hannukah is known by many names. It is referred to as the festival of the Dedication of the Temple in the scriptures (John 10:22). It's more commonly known as the Festival of Lights. In 164 BCE, Judah Maccabee, the priest, restored worship in the temple in Jerusalem. The Greeks placed false idols and even sacrificed a pig to Zeus on the altar. These actions desecrated the Temple. Yet, as the Maccabees took over Israel from the Greeks, they reinstituted true worship of God.  

On that first night, there was only enough oil to keep the Menorah burning for one night. Yet God did a miracle, and the oil lasted for eight nights. 

Thus, because Judah Maccabee was a strong military leader, Hannukah, became associated with the Messiah. The Messiah is God's leader who would liberate his people from oppression and set the world right.

We Christians know that this Messiah is Jesus Christ. John 1:1-5 tells us that he is the light of the world. He came into this world, and the darkness did not overcome it. Therefore, we, too, have a claim to celebrating the festival of Hannukah, the Festival of Lights. We serve the Perfect Light who came at this time.  




The picture above depicts light coming into the world. It is like the sun. We don't worship the sun, moon, or anything else in creation. These things pale compared to the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. However, the physical light in the world points us to the heavenly reality in that Jesus came, and he dispelled the darkness. He dispelled the evil deeds of this world, and he defeated sin on the cross when he died for you and me.

You may have a favorite scripture as well that you can meditate on. Pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you turn an ordinary pizza box into a work of art. Also, check out the video below for more designs and holiday inspirations. Happy Hannukah!   


Blessings,

Jane Shoemaker

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