Happy Hanukkah!  Yesterday I shared a bit about the origins of Hanukkah, and we discovered that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah in the Temple.  We also discovered that, had it not been for the Maccabean Revolt, from which Hanukkah was born, the Jews may have been exterminated and we may not be celebrating Christmas!  So, though Hanukkah is not one of the seven Biblical feasts of Israel, it is certainly worth celebrating!

A part of the celebration of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah. As tradition has it, one day’s supply of oil lasted eight days until more oil could be purified and brought to Jerusalem from the Galilee area.  Thus, Hanukkah is a joyful 8-day celebration highlighted by lighting the 9-branch Chanukiah (Hanukkah menorah).  The center branch is the shamash, used to light the other eight.  On the first night of Hanukkah, the far right candle is lit.  On the second night, the first two candles on the far right are lit.  One additional candle is lit each night, always starting from the far right.

To learn more about Hanukkah and how to celebrate it (including the Jewish blessings), I recommend Chabad’s Hanukkah page for easy-to-understand information and tips.

As Christians, we learn much from the Jewish feasts and celebrations.  For example, Hanukkah (known also as the Feast of Dedication) is sometimes called the Festival of Lights.  That’s not surprising, given that lighting of the menorah candles is so central to the Hanukkah celebration. Though, technically, Hanukkah has nothing to do with Christmas, both are celebrations of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Stick with me here!

The Christmas narrative in Luke 1-2 begins with the birth of John the Baptist and reaches a crescendo with the birth of Jesus.  According to John 1:6-7, John the Baptist was sent by God as a witness to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through Him!  Jesus later said, “I am the Light of the world.”  (John 8:12)  We recognize John the Baptist in the Christmas narrative as the forerunner of Jesus, sent to announce His coming.  But, every Jew would have thought of the lighting of the menorah at Hanukkah when Jesus declared, “I am the Light of the World!”  Jesus fulfilled the Hanukkah celebration.

But that’s not all!  The shamash is the center candle in the menorah, used to light the other candles.  It is a “servant candle.”  Mark 10:45 tells us that the Son of Man (Jesus) did not come to be served but to serve. Furthermore, John 8:12 in its entirety says, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”  He gives us His light, just as the shamash gives light to the other candles!  Jesus fulfills the shamash!

Finally, in John 9:5 Jesus stated, “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”  But here is what Jesus taught us in His Sermon on the Mount:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:14-16)

Miracle of miracles!  Jesus intends us to be the light…the menorah…to the world!  John the Baptist foretold the birth of Christ, which we celebrate at Christmas.  But interestingly, he announced that Jesus would be the Light of the world…and Jesus confirmed that.  Now, Jesus has invited us to be light with Him!  The menorah shines brightest when all the candles are lit.  This Christmas season, let’s allow our shamash, Jesus Himself, to light up our lives!

Happy Hanukkah…and Blessed Christmas!