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Hannukah: How to Celebrate Christ During The Festival of Lights


The Feast of Hanukah often falls during Christmas time. It is an nine day celebration to remember a miracle during The Maccabees, when the menorah lamp burned for nine days without any oil. This miracle was celebrated by the Messiah, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In fact, it was at The Feast of Dedication or Festival of Lights, Hanukah, that Jesus revealed something major about Himself:

"Jesus Asserts His Deity. At that time the Feast of Dedication [Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, Chanukah] took place at Jerusalem. 23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple [area] in Solomon’s portico. 24 So the Jews surrounded Him and began saying to Him, “How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You are [really] the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), tell us so plainly and openly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I have told you so, yet you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name testify concerning Me [they are My credentials and the evidence declaring who I am]. 26 But you do not believe Me [so you do not trust and follow Me] because you are not My sheep. 27 The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are One [in essence and nature].” (John 10:22-30). At the Hanukah Jesus revealed to the Jews who He was, God in the flesh. He admitted to them plainly that He and Father are One and promised eternal life to His sheep. This means at Hanukkah we may celebrate the Deity of Christ, that He is truly God and Savior, and eternal life is only found in Him. 

While we prepare to celebrate the Birth of Christ, we should consider adopting the Feast of Dedication, and celebrating Jesus Christ being God and One with Father, and eternal life in Him. For it was at this festival that our Savior revealed Himself plainly to the unbelieving, and He made the declaring that He and Father are One God. May we not light a candelabra for eight days celebrating the hope revealed, that Jesus is our Salvation and He shall never let us perish and that nothing can snatch us from His Hand (John 10:28). Is this not worthy of our celebration? The comfort that we cannot be lost, that Christ will never let us go. Let me share those words again of our Lord and God Jesus Christ, " And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:28). Oh to read these words and listen to Beethoven's Ode to Joy! For we can take the Festival of Dedication and make it ours as Christians, celebrating that in Christ Jesus is eternal salvation, and that nothing can pluck us from His hand and Father's Hand! O that We would swim in these promises of God, and stop letting doubt and devils hound us. So let us start a new tradition, pick up a Hanukah menorah lamp, and light it for eight nights, perhaps in front of painting of Christ or the Cross, and read these words over and over; let them seep into you soul, " And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:28). Let us turn the Feast of Dedication into a dedication to Christ Jesus. Let us read His words and let them soak in us and remind us of our blessed assurance in Him. Amen. 

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