Yesterday (at sunset) marked the beginning of the 8-day celebration of Hanukkah, which is often mistakenly thought of (at least in America) as “Jewish Christmas.”  Hanukkah really has nothing to do with Christmas, outside the fact that had there not been a Hanukkah, there would likely not be a Christmas.  Though not one of the primary Biblical feasts, it is an important celebration in Jewish culture, and is celebrated as a time of joy.  (Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights.  More about that in a day or two.)

During the time between the Old and New Testaments, an evil Greek ruler, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, threatened to wipe out the Jewish faith and the Jewish people.  He murdered the chief priest and tens of thousands of Jews in Jerusalem. Temple service and sacrifices were prohibited, the Temple was dedicated to Zeus, and a pig was slaughtered on the sacrificial altar blatantly desecrating the Temple.

The Maccabeans, from the priestly tribe of Aaron, led a revolt and God miraculously led them to victory.  The Temple was purified, services and sacrifices restored, and plans were made to rededicate the Temple. Tradition indicates that there was only a one-day supply of oil, which was used to keep the menorah burning, and it took eight days for more to be brought from the Galilee area.  Miraculously, that one-day supply lasted for eight days!  Thus, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days in remembrance of that miracle and God’s deliverance of the Jews from the evil grasp of Antiochus.

But is Hanukkah Biblical?  Well, as a Jew, Jesus celebrated it!  John 10:22-23 tells us that Jesus was in the Temple in the winter at the time of the Feast of Dedication. (Hanukkah means “to dedicate.”)  The Maccabean revolt saved the Jewish people from extinction, and every Jew knew the importance of that event.  The very Temple in which Jesus was celebrating with fellow Jews would not have been there had it not been for God’s deliverance.

Ironically, the familiar Christmas narrative from Luke 1-2 begins in the Temple with the Angel Gabriel announcing to Zacharias that his wife would give birth to John the Baptist!  It should not be surprising that God chose to start the Christmas story in the center of Jewish life and faith…in the Temple.  Who knows…without Hanukkah, perhaps we would not have Christmas.

So, as you wish one another Merry Christmas, recognize that Hanukkah is not “Jewish Christmas,” but instead, may have played a significant role in assuring the birth of Jesus Christ!  That’s worth celebrating!

Happy Hanukkah!