Oak in the Acorn

Christians Celebrating Hanukkah
Paul said in Colossians 2:16-17 that the Jewish feasts and celebrations were actually a shadow of the things to come through Jesus. And though as Christians we may not celebrate these holidays in the traditional Jewish manner, as we discover the significance of each, we will certainly gain a greater knowledge of God's Word, an improved understanding of the Bible, and a deeper relationship with the Lord.

History
In the fourth century B.C., Alexander the Great with his Greek armies conquered the Near East including Israel. Alexander the Great allowed the Jews to worship in their Temple as they were accustomed. After his death, his empire split apart. The land of Israel came under the control of the Seleucid dynasty, which ruled the region of Syria in the North. In the year 167 B.C., the king Antiochus IV Epiphanes decided to force all the peoples under his rule to Hellenize (the culture and civilization of ancient Greece). The practice of Jewish rituals such as the Sabbath, Torah study and circumcision was outlawed. The worship of Greek gods and the sacrifice of pigs replaced the traditional worship in the temple. Some Jews eagerly followed the Greek ways. Others resisted Hellenism and died as martyrs.
One day the Greeks came to the village of Modi'in (center district of Israel) and set up an altar. They commanded the Jews to bring a pig as a sacrifice to show obedience to Antiochus's decree. Mattathias, an old priest, was so enraged when he saw a Jew about to do so that he killed him. He then smashed the idol and said, “All who want to follow the LORD, follow me.” Thus the revolt began against Antiochus and his army. Before he died of old age, Mattathias passed on the leadership to his son Judah the Maccabee. Judah led his forces against a series of armies sent by Antiochus, and even though his army was smaller, Judah finally liberated Jerusalem after three years and reclaimed the temple from its defilement by the Greeks. When it came time to light the Menorah, they could find only one jar of oil. Even though it would take eight days to make more oil, they decided to light the menorah anyway. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. Since then we celebrate Hanukkah to remember the Maccabees and their successful fight for independence against the Greeks, and most of all the miracle of the oil.

Lighting the Candles
If you decide to celebrate Hanukkah in your home you will need a menorah. You can buy one or make your own. The menorah in the Jewish temple has seven branches. The Hanukkah menorah (Hanukkiah) is different with nine branches (eight for the eight day miracle and one servant branch called the Shamash). The candles are put in the Hanukkiah from right to left with only one candle (plus the center Shamash) on the first night. Each night we add one more candle continuing from right to left. The candles are lit in reverse from left to right by the Shamash candle. By the eighth night the Hanukkiah is full.

The Dreidel
The legend has it that the game of Dreidel was developed in Eastern Europe hundreds of years ago. When the Jews were forbidden to study Torah (Old Testament), they used the game of Dreidel as a decoy for studying. They pretended to be playing but were actually praying and learning. On the Dreidel are the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Shin, and Hay. On the surface, those letters stand for “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham” – A Great Miracle Happened There. It is interesting to note that the numerical value for these letters (based on a system called gematria which reads hidden meanings in numbers) equals 358. Nun=50, gimmel=3, hey=5, shin=300. 358 is the numerical equivalent to the Hebrew word for Messiah.
Each player starts with 10 pennies (or nuts, candy, cheerios, etc.). Everyone puts one penny into the “pot”. One at a time, each player spins the Dreidel. If it lands on:
nun - win nothing; lose nothing
gimel – you get the whole pot
hay – you get half the pot
shin – put one in the pot
Once you are out of pennies, you leave the game. The winner is the one left with all the pennies.

The Food
The food of Hanukkah centers around olive oil since the miracle was in the continually burning oil of the menorah. Any foods cooked in olive oil are great! Two popular foods are Latkes (potato pancakes) served with applesauce, and Sufganiyas (Jelly filled doughnuts). Look up recipes on the internet.

Scripture Guide for Christians
Lighting the Hanukkiah each night should be a special time of family devotion. Since Jesus was raised in a Jewish home, he would have celebrated the tradition of Hanukkah. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our Savior, the Light of the World. The first two blessings below are recited each night. The third, a blessing of joy traditionally recited during each Jewish festival, is recited only the first time the Hanukkah menorah is lit. These are the traditional Jewish blessings.

BLESSING 1English: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah. Sfaradi/Modern Israeli:Barukh Atta Adonay Eloheynu Melekh Ha-olam Asher Kiddeshanu Be-mitsvotav Ve-tsivanu Lehadlik Ner Shel khanuka

BLESSING 2English:Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season. Sfaradi/Modern Israeli:Barukh Atta Adonay Eloheynu Melekh Ha-olam She-asa Nissim La-avoteynu Ba-yyamim Ha-hem Ba-zzman Ha-zze

BLESSING 3This blessing is recited only on the first night or the first time one kindles the Hanukkah lights. English: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this time. Sefaradi/Modern Israeli:Barukh Atta Adonay Eloheynu Melekh Ha-olam She-hekheyanu Ve-kiymanu Ve-higgi'anu La-zzman Ha-zze

Here is a guideline of Scripture for Christians to read for the eight nights:
Night One: The Temple
Hanukkah is all about the dedication of the temple and the light that continually shines. Today, take a look at the Old Testament dwelling places for the LORD. Notice how the presence of God fills the temple. As you light the Hanukkah candles, remember the temples that once held the glory of God.
Exodus 40 - Dedication of Moses’ Tabernacle
34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels. Exodus 40:34-38 (NIV)

1 Kings 8 - Dedication of Solomon’s Temple
10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.
12 Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; 13 I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever." 1 Kings 8:10-13 NIV

Night Two: The LORD is Our Light
Many ancient people worshipped the sun and the moon since they give off light. God says that He is our light far surpassing the sun and moon. As you light the candles, remember that the LORD wants to be your light.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Isaiah 60:19-20 (NIV)
1 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? Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
8 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 (NIV)
4 His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Habakkuk 3:4 (NIV)

Night Three: The Word is Our Light
The Word of the Lord gives us light and direction. It is like giving sight to the blind. As you light the candles, thank the Lord for giving His Word.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 NIV
23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life. Proverbs 6:23 NIV
19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19 NIV

Night Four: The Light of the World
The body of Jesus became the tabernacle of God. In John 1:14, the word dwelled actually means tabernacled. Some scholars believe that Jesus may have been born during the Feast of Tabernacles. Here’s one opinion:

Was Jesus Conceived on Hanukkah? Many believe that our Messiah, the “light of the world,” was conceived on the festival of lights—Hanukkah. The Bible does not specifically say the date of Jesus’ birth. It was not during the winter months because the sheep were in the pasture (Luke 2:8). A study of the time of the conception of John the Baptist reveals he was conceived about Sivan 30, the eleventh week (Luke 1:8-13, 24). Adding forty weeks, for a normal pregnancy reveals that John the Baptist was born on or about Passover (Nisan 14). Six months after John’s conception, Mary conceived Jesus (Luke 1:26-33); therefore Jesus would have been conceived six months after Sivan 30 in the month of Kislev—Hanukkah. Was the “light of the world,” conceived on the festival of lights? Starting at Hanukah, which begins on Kislev 25 and continues for eight days, and counting through the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy, one arrives at the approximate time of the birth of Jesus at the Festival of Tabernacles.

It makes sense to me. God fulfills all things through Jesus. Everything God does is timely. Even Jesus’ teachings were aptly orchestrated. He was always aware of the seasons when he was teaching. Notice the timing of the “Light of the World” teachings according to John 10:22. As you light the candles, may you appreciate that Jesus is the fulfillment of Hanukkah.

26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God."
38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 NIV
18Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"
19Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."
20The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" 21But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. John 2:18-22 NIV
4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:4-5 NIV
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIV
12When 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 NIV
22Then came the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) at Jerusalem. It was winter, John 10:22 NIV
35Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. John 12:35-36 NIV

Night Five: Paul blinded by the Light

Paul was traveling to Damascus to persecute Christians when Jesus stopped him in his tracks. Notice the time of day when Jesus’ light surrounded Paul. As you light the candles, think about how bright the light of Christ must be.
12"On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
15"Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'
”‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 16'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Acts 26:12-18 NIV

Night Six: Children of the Light
As children of God we are called to stand out and be a light in the darkness. We are to be set apart. You will see in the Scriptures that we are the new temple of God. Do we act like the Holy Spirit lives in us? As you light the candles, think about your walk with the Lord. Is the light of the Holy Spirit obvious or is it hidden?
19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, Ephesians 5:8-15 NIV
9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 NIV
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin. 1 John 1:5-7 NIV

Night Seven: A Light to Others
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…If you have little ones, that’s a great song to sing tonight as you light the candles. God wants our light to be contagious. It’s not meant to be kept to ourselves. Tonight, think about how others see your light.
16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV
33"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Luke 11:33 NIV
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16 NIV

Night Eight: Tabernacle of Revelation
In the future God will set up a new place to dwell with His people. One day this earth will pass away and He will make all things new. As you light the candles for the last time (and this time all candles are lit), think about what the future will be like with the glory of God as the only light you will need.

1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Revelation 21:1-7
10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia[a]in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits[b] thick,[c] by man's measurement, which the angel was using. 18The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[d] 21The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.
22I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:10-27