Hannukah

Weekly and even daily, miracles are a huge blessing in the life of a believer! He not only brings miracles on national and international levels but also in our personl lives! In the last few weeks, we have seen the Lord do miracles with inner family relationships – miracles with His healing – miracles everywhere. How blessed we are to serve a Master who loves us so much that He gave His Son that we might have relationship with Him!

The evening of Dec. 8, we get to light the first candle of Hannukah (the Hebrew word for dedication, referring to the re-dedication of the Temple). We continue to light additional candles until Dec. 15, when all 8 candles will be aflame.

Brief story of Hannukah: in 168 BC, Jews were persecuted by the Greeks. The Temple was seized by Syrian-Greek soldiers and dedicated to the worship of the god Zeus. The Temple was desecrated: a statue of Zeus was erected in the Temple, and pigs were put on the altar.

Three years later, in 165 BC, a band of 12,000 Jews resisted and reclaimed the Temple. That in itself was a huge miracle as the Greek army was one of the mightiest in the world with over 40,000 trained soldiers. The Greeks were overcome by the Jews (led by Judah, nicknamed Maccabee (meaning the hammer). When God is on our side, we are a majority, regardless of our number!!

Once Temple was regained by the Jews, it was then cleaned and cleansed. However, there was only enough oil for the menorah to stay lit for 1 day. But, it lasted 8 (until more oil could be made)! God performed a miracle with the oil’s lasting the eight days. (Today, we eat food fried in oil during Hannukah to remind us of His miracle with the oil. And for us to remember God’s intervention into our lives.)

Each night as we light the Hannukah menorah candles, let us each remember God’s miracle of overcoming a “more powerful” adversary and of His causing provision to last beyond the norm.

Let us also remember the miracles He brings in our lives every day and keep our hearts tender to His drawing us to His light. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” John 8:12b, NIV.)