The celebration of Hanukkah, otherwise known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication is often seen as only relevant to the Jewish faith and therefore not to be observed by Christians. Sure, we’ll politely greet our Jewish friends with “Happy Hanukkah” when seasonally appropriate, but most would never consider celebrating along with them.
I had been inspired to research the topic a bit more recently and have concluded that not only is Hanukkah something we can openly observe – it also presents opportunities for us to be witnesses for Christ!
I admit this blog is a little late in coming – however I think the subject is still top of mind enough to be worthy of sharing. I hope this discovery warms your heart as much as it has warmed mine during the research.
My Inspiration:
Our youngest daughter, Megan, has a couple new roommates at college this year. While she gets along with all of them, one in particular appears to have become her new best friend. Her name is Ariel – they socialize together, they study together, they participate in each other’s clubs and interests - they seem to do most everything together. In fact, Ariel has been around our house so much that she’s become a part of the family. She is a delightful woman and we really love seeing her!
Ariel was raised in a family that follows the Jewish traditions. Ariel has been taking the time to share her traditions of Hanukkah with Megan and with us during this festive season. Those discussions have caused me to do some thinking about Hanukkah and the role that it possibly played in the formation of Christianity. After all, my Lord and Savior is a Jewish Carpenter!
So I wonder what Jesus followed as it relates to those traditions? I did some research and there is only one mention of Hanukkah in Scripture – John 10:22. Holman refers to it as Hanukkah, however most translations refer to it as the Feast of Dedication or the Festival of Lights.
“At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.” (John 10:22–23, ESV)
(NOTE: The apocryphal book 2 Maccabees and the Babylonian Talmud document the events leading to Hanukkah and the celebration itself. John is the only mention in the 66 books of the Old and New Testament.)
At first pass, it appeared to me that it was there only as a reference to the time of year. Me thinks I was wrong – but more on that later. So anyways, Ariel has given us a little information – like why it lasts eight days. It had something to do with a miracle where the Temple lantern (Menorah) burned for eight days with only a one day supply of oil. This was the extent of the explanation we received.
What is Hanukkah?
Hmm – seems like there should be more. And there is – upon research, I learned that Hanukkah is a celebration commemorating the restoration of the Temple worship and traditions as a result of the Jewish revolt led by Judas Maccabees in 168 - 165 BC. The revolt was a response to years of oppression at the hands of Seleucids who are descendants of Alexander the Great. Alexander is credited for expansion of the Greek culture (Hellenism) and was a known for his infrastructure feats (roads, bridges, etc) that enable his conquests as well as the expansion of Greek language along with the culture.
Basically, Alexander the Great’s Generals entered into a power struggle after his untimely death (311 BC) which resulted in multiple kingdoms and leaders – most prominent in this story is Ptolemy and Seleucus. Judea was originally in the control of Ptolemy, but fell to the Seleucid’s in 200 BC. Temple leadership was perverted during this time – sold to the highest bidder as part of Hellenization.
Antiochus IV’s actions were the straw that broke the camel’s back however. He instituted a stern Hellenistic campaign – making possession of a Torah a capital offense! He outlawed circumcision, built altars of Greek gods, sacrificed unclean animals – he even placed a representation of Zeus on the Temple altar!!
Enough was enough! In steps Judas Maccabees and his army of Jewish nonconformists – they defeated the Seleucids, destroyed the pagan altars, circumcised the boys and cleansed the Temple (Lange, The Illustrated History of the Jewish People). Part of the Temple cleansing was to destroy the jars of oil that were contaminated and restart the Menorah with purity. A problem however - they found only one sealed jug which is a one day supply. Tradition holds that the lamps burned for eight days which is the amount of time needed to acquire more pure oil. So, God made sure that the Temple worship process was secure even though the resources would have been exhausted – hence the miracle and reason Hanukkah is eight days.
So, what does this mean for Christians?
Possibly we could look at the Maccabean revolt and subsequent restoration of the Temple worship to be included in the list of catalysts that made the timing of Christ’s presence on earth the perfect one. For example, Alexander the Great is certainly a catalyst! His conquests enabled wide spanning routes so that world trade was commonplace. Greek culture – and a common language made timing right as well.
He was brilliant and an enabler to a modern society. Alexander meant those things for his power and conquest – but as Paul teaches us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, ESV). The roads used for conquest became the same roads that Peter and Paul and others used to spread the Gospel!
There is another aspect of the political climate at the time. Jesus came back addressing both Jews and gentiles. Alexander’s roads and the Hellenistic culture gave Jesus plenty to talk about with the gentiles – the Jewish people were addressed as well and the Maccabean revolt was the catalyst.
Bible following Jewish people were politically insignificant prior to the revolution. They were oppressed at the hands of the Seleucids – no voice, no power. The atrocities had gone too far and finally God’s chosen people revolted and reclaimed the Temple – the most important aspect of their connection with God! They restored the traditions and worship practices whereby the political climate was changed.
The Jewish people were a force to be reckoned with now. They had proven that they can conquer and can overcome tyranny. Maccabean control was short lived, however the stability of the Temple worship and the clout of the High Priest remained intact. Future leaders over Jerusalem decided the best path to lasting peace was to permit the Jewish hierarchy of leadership to continue.
The Festival of Dedication can be seen as a contributor to bringing about the Church age. Had the religious leaders of the time not had some clout –some power – they would have never been able to incite the crowds and influence Pilot to crucify Jesus.
If Jesus did not have a complete way to be considered the radical against the Jewish leaders and the Roman government, and if it would not ultimately led to His crucifixion, then the time would not have been right. Interestingly, the section of Scripture that references Hanukkah is one where Jesus declares His deity while in the Temple – “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30 ESV)! The timing of that declaration in line with Hanukkah is clearly not a coincidence. The glory of God returned!!!
Next Steps for us All:
Hanukkah is a festival that Christians can celebrate along with the Jewish followers. And if we were to follow it more openly and positively – embracing it – it could lead to conversations that would give us permission to explain our connection as well as explain why we have hope of everlasting life. We can explain how the story of Jesus is true and real – and that He came to save us from the spiritual death we deserve.
Would this open doors? I think it would.
So, celebrate Hanukkah for what it is – the restoration of the Temple traditions, as well as the restoration of political clout for the Jews which was an enabler for the timing of Jesus’ teachings and crucifixion. Secondly, celebrate Hanukkah as a means to opening doors.
Why are you Christians celebrating Hanukkah? I’m glad you asked – let me tell you.
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