Light the Lights

Around this time of year, it is normal to focus all of our attention on Christmas.  Yet this week is also the celebration of Lights - Hanukkah!  Many Christians don't realize that this celebration is a part of our heritage as well!  Jesus celebrated this Festival as was recorded in John 10:22 and known as the Feast of Dedication.  With very good reason. 

This important festival celebrates the victory of the Jewish people over their Greek oppressors in 175 BC.  The wicked king of the Seleucid empire (part of the Biblically Prophesied breakup of the Greek empire) was Antiochus IV Epiphanies.  Having grown sick of the Jewish faith and worship of the temple, and believing himself to be a god, he attempted to eliminate this by illegalizing Torah study and finally desecrating the altar by offering a pig (an unclean animal) upon it. 

At this point, God raised up the Maccabees.  A priest Matthias, who was followed by his five sons.  They bravely fought, and by the providence of God won back the temple and rededicated it to its holy purpose in the plan of God.  The miracle which is celebrated at Hanukkah has to do with divine provision.  The lamps were to remain constantly lit, and there was not enough oil to last the time it would take to make more sanctified oil for the lamps.  The Lord supernaturally intervened such that a single days worth of oil lasted the whole 8 days needed to get more.  In this way, God provided what was needed to glorify Himself and worship Him according to the Torah. 

So, why should Christians be mindful of Hanukkah?  There are many good reasons, beyond the fact that Jesus, Himself, celebrated it.  First, it is a story of God's miraculous provision for the worship of Him.  God's grace and provision put forth everything that sinful man needs to approach Him.  Second, it shows how believers of all ages must obey God, regardless of what world powers may do to stop us.  Finally, and most importantly, it displays how God preserved the Temple and Temple worship.  Had the temple not have been in place Jesus Christ could not come as the perfect sacrifice.  In order for Him to complete His mission, it was required that He perfectly keep the law of Moses.  While the Enemy will constantly attack the plan of God, God is never stymied.  He is going to bring His salvation to bear and no power is going to stand in the way of His perfect plan.  With this in mind, dear believers, may we say to all: Happy Hanukkah!