What About Israel: MERRY CHRISTMAS OR HAPPY HANUKKAH?

CHRISTMAS IS JUST TO COMPETE WITH HANUKKAH?

Every year I hear people say the most ignorant comments about the holidays.

Have you ever heard people say a “Christmas Tree” is more scriptural than a “Hanukkah Bush”?

Mary and Joseph were really going to Nazareth to celebrate Hanukkah then Jesus’ birthday kind of stole the show?

There was no room at the inn because everyone was celebrating Hanukkah?

You can’t celebrate both holidays!

Ok, we are going to play “MYTH BUSTERS” here!

This might really send some of you into a tailspin for the holidays and totally mess up your mythology!

First…..this will totally mess you up, … put on your religious seatbelt…..
THE ONLY PLACE HANUKKAH IS MENTIONED IN HOLY SCRIPTURES IS IN THE “NEW TESTAMENT”.

WHAT?????
THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!

Well, not really. Hanukkah (The Feast of Dedication) took place between the writing of the scriptures around 167 years before Jesus was born.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes did not implement the modern approach of just “killing Jews” to increase his influence. Instead, he attempted to eliminate Judaism by forbidding Torah reading, circumcision, and the honoring of the Sabbath. He even sacrificed pigs on the temple altar and put Zeus' statue up to desecrate the place!

Did it work?

Absolutely not! As always, the G-d of Israel had a much better plan!

Mattityahu Hasmonea, a Jewish priest, living outside of Jerusalem, began a guerilla war against the Greeks along with his sons and a few others.

(No, he did not acquire beasts from Asia and Africa to fight the battles. He used “hit-and –run” tactics by small mobile teams to ambush their enemies)

What they accomplished in the hill country of Judea and Samaria was so fantastic that modern guerilla soldiers still study and refer to their strategies. Much of these were implemented after Mattityahu died and his son, Judas, took leadership.

Judas used the scripture from Exodus chapter 15, verse 11, as the motto of his battles: “Mi Camokha Ba Elim Adona’y” – “Who is like you, O Lord, Among the Mighty.”

In Hebrew, the initials spell “Maccabee”. This is similar to the Hebrew word for hammer, “Maccabeus” which is how he became known as “Judas the hammer”

In a short 3 years, this small team of warriors took back the temple in Jerusalem from an enemy far stronger than they, yet the G-d of Israel fought for them.

This war was the first war recorded that was fought for religious freedom.

BUT THAT”S NOT THE END OF THE STORY!

The Jews found the temple a mess! They needed to rededicate it to the
G-d of Israel!
The lampstand in the Holy Place required oil that was sanctified through an 8-day process.
There was only an oil supply for 1 day!
The Lord miraculously provided the light to last the 8 days needed!

Thus, Hanukkah is known as the “Festival of Lights” or “The Feast of Dedication.”
This would be one of many miracles, many still being written , of the Lord’s faithfulness to His people in incredible impossible situations!

NOW what about this comment that Hanukkah appears in the “New Testament”?

The Book of John, chapter 10, verse 22 tells of Jesus , at the Feast of Dedication, in the winter, walking in the temple on Solomon’s Porch (part of the temple area).

This is interesting for several reasons. First, Jesus is a Jew, celebrating Hanukkah-I am sure that messes up a few minds.

In John’s book chapter 8, verse 12 and chapter 9, verse 5, right before he goes to the “Festival of Lights,” Jesus declares that “He IS the light of the world!”

Is it possible…..just consider this…..that Jesus looked at the lamp stand, looked at the Shamash candle (the “servant candle” used to light the others) and understood more than anyone else what the lamp stand truly represented?

JUST SOMETHING TO MEDITATE ON

Back to Hanukkah and Christmas…….

Now the “New Testament” does not say at what time Jesus was born. December 25^th is a date chosen by Emperor Constantine almost 3 centuries later!

However, his birth is mentioned 2 times in the “New Testament” and prophesied 3 times in the “Old Testament”.

Most people, especially those who believe Jesus is Lord, are familiar with the scriptures that retell his birth in the book of Matthew chapter 1, verses18-25 and chapter 2, verses 1-12,

and in the Book of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26-38 and chapter 2, verses 1-35.

BUT, not everyone is as familiar with the scriptures from the Prophet Isaiah and the prophet Micah in the “Old Testament”.

In the book of Isaiah, chapter 7, verse 14 Isaiah prophesies:Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The in chapter 9, verses 6-7:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
And the government will be ob his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty G-d, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom
establishing justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

The Prophet Micah says in chapter 5, verse 2:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

So, the birth of Jesus is mentioned enough to know it is a historical fact. He was born!

But, probably not in December!

So, is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Jesus’ birth? Of course not. Maybe the snowy winter scenes and balsam trees are an added “perk” but we have to admit..

POTATOES LATKES, JELLY DONUTS AND CHOCOLATE were not on the scene when the temple was rededicated!

As for gifts? Jewish kids think they got it better with 8 gifts guaranteed! But that too has nothing to do with the meaning of the holiday.

COULD IT BE…………..that the nature and character of the G-d of the Bible, the
G-d of Israel, is to bless His people? Is to celebrate His love, His kindness, His goodness, His generosity?