All good things must come to an end, and for the Jewish people, the final light of Hanukkah has been lit. The joyous 8-day Hanukkah celebration becomes a memory this evening as sundown fades to night.

Hanukkah is a celebration of light, and Scripture has much to teach us about light! According to Genesis 1:3, light was the first act of creation! With only His spoken words, “Let there be light,” illumination burst forth and God used it to separate day and night. 

Perhaps God’s creation of light was also meant to testify to the Son.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men….¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

~John 1:1-4, 14

In the beginning, when God created light, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus came in flesh, yet He was also there at creation. In Him was life, and that life was light! What was in the beginning (light), became the true light (verse 9) that was given to everyone.

Jesus spoke that truth in John 8:12 and John 9:5: “I am the Light of the world!“ Yet, just as the created light in that first creation act lit up the world, the Light of Jesus shines brightly upon us and in us! In Matthew 5:14, Jesus proclaims believers to be the light of the world, reflecting His light to all!

Indeed, in Him was life, and the life was the light of men! 

So, as Hanukkah lights are lit for the last time this year, may it be a reminder to let the light of Jesus shine brightly!

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:16

Until next year…Happy Hanukkah!