Then said Judas and his brothers, “Behold, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.”…Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with gladness and joy for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev
1 Maccabees 4:36, 59
Today marks the first day of the festival of Hanukkah (Hebrew for Dedication). It remembers the dedication of the Temple after it was taken back by the Jews and cleansed in 165 BC. The Greeks had been oppressing them, outlawed the Torah, and were forcing them to disobey the Lord. The Jews revolted and gained their freedom. After reinstating Temple worship, they celebrated.
The festival is also known as the Festival of Lights because, according to the Talmud, they only had enough oil for a single day. However, miraculously it lasted eight days, long enough to procure more oil to keep it lit. The kindling of the Hanukkah lights is at the center of the traditions of the festival.
I recently enjoyed traveling to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida for a vacation. I’ve been there several times before, mostly when I was little. It’s a fun place to visit. At one park, Hollywood Studios, they have lights covering their Streets of America area. And I literally mean covering! As the sun sets, the lights are turned on for visitors to enjoy. Every so often they start dancing to some music. Talk about a festival of lights!
What does this festival have to do with followers of Jesus? While not a requirement to observe it, we can celebrate how God worked in the past. Without Hanukkah, could Jesus have come on the scene? Regardless of whatever persecution we may ever face, God is faithful and will eventually make things right. As we approach the Christmas season, we remember the Light which shines in this dark world (John 1:5, 8:21).
