Hanukkah or Chanukkah (Hebrew meaning Dedication) is an annual Jewish holiday. It is celebrated over eight consecutive days (in 2024, it occurs beginning on the evening of December 25 through January 2).  It celebrates the rededication of the Temple in 164 B.C. following Antiochus IV desecration of the temple and the Maccabees’ successful revolt [See 1 Maccabees 4:36-59; 2 Maccabees 10:5-8: Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews 12.7.7 (323-325)].  Jewish tradition claims that when the menorah was relit there was sufficient oil for only one day.  A messenger was sent to procure more oil.  During this time a miracle occurred which kept the menorah burning for eight days until more oil could be procured.  This tradition is not mentioned until centuries later (History: The Hanukkah Story, reformjudaism.org).  Neither the Maccabees nor Josephus mention this or give this as the reason for the eight days of celebration.  The reason given connects it to the Feast of Tabernacles (2 Maccabees 10:5-8). 2 Maccabees reads, “They keep the eight days with joy, after the manner of the feast of tabernacles, remembering that not long before they had kept the feast of the tabernacles when they were in the mountains, and in dens, like wild beasts” (2 Maccabees 10:5-8). Why is it called “The Festival (or Feast) of Lights”? Josephus says, “We celebrate this festival, and call it Lights. I suppose the reason was, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us; and that hence was the name given to that feast” (Antiquities 12.7.7)

Did you know that this Feast of Dedication is mentioned in the Bible?  “Now it  was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.  And Jesus walked in the Temple, in Solomon’s porch” (John 10: 22-23). 

On this occasion, the Jews (Jewish leadership) demanded that he tell them if he was the Christ (John 10:24).  Jesus answered, “I told you, and you do not believe.  The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me” (John 10:25).  He pointed them to the miraculous evidence.

Jesus then claimed to be able to give eternal life to those who follow him.  Moreover, he said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:25-29).  The literal language is “I and the Father, we are one.”  In context, this means one in purpose. 

Their reaction?  They wanted to kill Him.  They believed that he was guilty of blasphemy (John 10:31-32). 

He again pointed them to the evidence.  He said, “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me, but if I do… believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in Him” (John 10:37-38). 

Have you examined the evidence?  It may lead to real dedication.  It may change you from the inside out. Jesus can give you light. He is “the light of the world” (John 8:12).