Hanukkah

Then came the Feast of Dedication [Hanukkah] at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." John 10:22-24

I used to think that Hanukkah was the Jews’ answer to Christmas, a time for them to give presents because they didn’t celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Actually, the origins of Hanukkah predate the origins of Christmas by about 200 years, and it is mentioned in the Bible in connection with Jesus. In fact, He Himself celebrated Hanukkah in the actual temple where this miracle occurred. The events which it commemorates took place between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament.

Around 167 BC the Syrian-Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes took over the Jerusalem temple for pagan worship. Things that were sacred to the Jews were destroyed and defiled. This went on for several years until finally there was a revolt led by Judas Macabee which reclaimed the temple, despite overwhelming odds. When the temple was reclaimed and rededicated to God, there was only found enough clean oil to keep the temple light burning for one day, but miraculously the lamp burned for eight days, until more oil could be acquired.

Today, Jewish families celebrate this event by placing eight candles in a menorah, plus one extra to light the others. The candles are lit, one each night, until the eighth night, when all the candles are lit.

During this time of celebration prayers are said, songs are sung, special foods are eaten and gifts are exchanged.