What is Hanukkah? The word “Hanukkah” is Hebrew, and it means “Dedication.” The festival originated over 100 years before Yeshua (English name is Jesus). Today, it is often called the “Festival of Lights.”
The story of Hanukkah is contained in the Catholic edition of the Bible, in the books of Maccabees I and II. In the earliest editions of the King James Bible, the books of the Maccabees were included, but these books were removed after the 1611 edition. Hanukkah is also written about by the 1st-century Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, who was employed by the Roman government after the time of Yeshua.
Here’s the story. Alexander the Great had spread his Greek Empire throughout the known world. At the end of his life, he divided his kingdom into four smaller kingdoms, ruled by his four leaders. One of those leaders was Antiochus IV “Epiphanes” (meaning “God manifested”), who insisted that everyone must bow down and worship him. The Jewish people refused, and so Antiochus decided to attack and exterminate all the Jews.
In 167 BC, the armies of Antiochus IV invaded the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and stole the menorah (pure gold candelabra) and all the golden instruments of worship. He defiled the altar of God by placing a statue of Zeus in the Temple, and by sacrificing pigs on the holy altar. The temple remained unusable for three-and-a-half years.
Judas Maccabee and his brothers gathered together a small but zealous army of Jewish warriors, and, with God’s intervention, the warriors were able to defeat the Greek army that was many times bigger! The great miracle of Hanukkah was that they were able to take back their Temple, cleanse it, build a new altar, and again begin worshipping God in it.
During the three-and-a-half years of oppression by King Antiochus IV, the Jews had been unable to celebrate their favorite festival, the Feast of Tabernacles. As soon as the Temple was cleansed, they immediately celebrated this eight-day festival, starting on Kislev 25 (in the winter). They declared an eight-day celebration to be commemorated year after year, beginning on Kislev 25, to commemorate the great victory God had given the Jewish people.
Thus began the Feast of “Dedication”, or “Hanukkah”, which is mentioned in the New Testament in the gospel of John 10:22. The People of the Book wanted to commemorate their victory by remembering that the light of the menorah was restored to the Holy Place. Thus, the celebration is also called the “Festival of Lights.”
If Antiochus IV had been successful in eliminating all the Jews, there would be no Jewish descendants to bring forth the coming Messiah, Yeshua. Without the victory of the Maccabees, there would be no celebration of the Messiah’s birth!
From historical records, we discover that it is very likely that Yeshua’s birth took place in the fall. If that is true, then his conception would have taken place during the winter. Wouldn’t it be amazing if Yeshua was conceived during Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights? After all, Yeshua is called the “Light of the World.” Wouldn’t it be amazing if he was born during the Feast of Tabernacles? The gospel of John does say that he came to “tabernacle” among us.”
During this season of Hanukkah, as we light the candles each day, let us remember that the LIGHT OF THE WORLD has been invited into the personal temples of our hearts, and into our homes. As we display the hanukkiah (nine-branched menorah) in our windows, we let the world know about the hope that is within us.
Chag Sameach! Blessings during this Hanukkah season!
If you’d like to learn more about Hanukkah and Christmas, please view Donna Carick’s in-depth teaching at:
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Donna Beccia Carick is co-leader of Shalom Yeshua Ministries, Inc., in Evansville, Indiana. You can reach her by email at donna@ShalomYeshua.org. Additional teachings by Ms. Carick can be found on Facebook, at Shalom Yeshua Ministries, or at http://ShalomYeshua.org.
Good info. Thank you!