Tonight at sundown begins Hanukkah 2022/5783, which will last until 7 pm on December 26th. It’s unique to me how Hanukkah comes around Christmas each year, with no one on earth planning the timing and synchronicity. The two celebrations come from unrelated historical events. But they have this in common — “warfare and light” with pagan cultures trying to force themselves on communities of faith in God.

For those not familiar with Hanukkah or its origins, consider this summary:

“Although according to Jewish custom Hanukkah is considered a “minor” Jewish festival, today it ranks—along with Passover and Purim—as one of the most beloved Jewish holidays, full of light and joy and family celebration.

“Unlike many Jewish holidays, Hanukkah (also known as the Festival of Lights) is not mentioned in the Bible. The historical events upon which the celebration is based are recorded in Maccabees I and II, two books contained within a later collection of writings known as the Apocrypha.

“In the year 168 B.C.E., the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes sent his soldiers to Jerusalem. The Syrians desecrated the Temple, the holiest place for Jews at that time. Antiochus also abolished Judaism, outlawing the observance of Shabbat and the festivals, as well as circumcision. Altars and idols were set up for the worship of Greek gods, and he offered Jews two options: conversion or death.

“On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev in 168 B.C.E., the Temple was renamed for the Greek god Zeus. A Jewish resistance movement – led by a priestly family known as the Hasmoneans, or Maccabees – developed, resisting the cruelty of Antiochus. The head of the family was Mattathias, an elderly man. His son, Judah, became the chief strategist and military leader of the resistance. Though outnumbered, Judah Maccabee and his fighters miraculously won two major battles, routing the Syrians decisively.

“Although historians debate the causes and outcomes of the war in which Judah Maccabee and his followers defeated the Syrian armies of Antiochus, there is no doubt that Hanukkah evokes stirring images of Jewish valor against overwhelming odds. Other themes of the holiday include the refusal to submit to the religious demands of an empire practicing idolatry, the struggle against total assimilation into Greek culture and loss of Jewish identity, and the fight for Jewish political autonomy and self-determination.

“Hanukkah, which means ‘dedication,’ is the festival that commemorates the purification and rededication of the Temple following the Greek occupation of that holy place. Today, the holiday reminds Jews to rededicate themselves to keeping alive the flame of Jewish religion, culture, and peoplehood so that it may be passed on to the next generation” (reformjudism.org).

Christmas 2022

Even though Hanukkah, or “The Feast of Dedication” as it’s also known, wasn’t one of the original feasts of Israel given to Moses, there is evidence that Jesus celebrated it or kept the feast. John records in his gospel: “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly’” (John 10:22-24).

Thus today, 2000 years later, if one visits Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, you can climb the long stone stairs known as “the portico of Solomon” and realize you’re standing somewhere Jesus stood.

It was a dark time of oppression by Rome and a deceived religious system of some Jews in collusion with Rome and Herod, the appointed local king. Jesus shed a lot of light for the people to see what was going on, and He was the Light of the world, making God known to the people who could and would see it. The Gospel records: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12).

Yes, the circumstances of Hanukkah and Christmas are striking! Governments pressuring God-fearing people of faith to give up their faith and freedom. Even today, in the USA, something is happening that couldn’t have been dreamt of in previous decades and generations. A nation founded on tolerance and freedom of religion, in the name of tolerance, is denying freedom of religion to many from the halls of congress and courts of the land. God-fearing, Bible-believing Jews and Christians are being vilified and coerced to accept things contrary to their faith and the commandments of God clearly laid out in the Bible and proven true and wise throughout history.

Darkness and warfare — Light and life, are things Hanukkah and Christmas have in common, as well as a supernatural God in Heaven helping those who would choose Him as King and trust Him as protector for salvation from their foes.

Hanukkah Lights

“The Hanukkah lamp is an eight-branched imitation of the original Tabernacle menorah that is used to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple. The lamp has taken many forms through the ages, but its essential feature has been eight receptacles for oil or candles and a holder for the shammash (“servant”) light, which is used for kindling the other lights. During each night of Hanukkah, candles are inserted into the menorah from right to left but are lighted from left to right. The lamp is displayed in a highly visible location, and depictions of it are often found on public buildings, synagogues, and private homes” (Encyclopedia Britannica).

“Shammes” is the dictionary.com word of the day. It’s the candle used to kindle the candles in the Hanukkah Menorah. In Hebrew it means “servant, attendant.” Perhaps that’s all the Lord asks of us? To serve and attend God. To be servants and attendants to others. To light, or relight, others. To be a light among lights. To be witnesses, believers — lights shinning in dark places.

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!! May your days be merry and bright, and may your hearts be full of light. Special Hanukkah greetings to Joan, a special Jewish grandmother I know of in Colorado, and to a Jewish-Christian friend named Wendy in Arkansas, as well as Randy Russell, MD., a special friend who led our first trip to Israel in 1994 and is leading a group again in 2023. Shalom שלוֹם

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“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NIV).

“…The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).

“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light” (Micah 7:8).

“You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light” (Psalms 18:28).

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalms 119:105).

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'” (John 8:12).

“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1).

“This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you'” (Ephesians 5:4).

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).