Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Hanukkah coincides with Christmas this year, which is a delightful collision of traditions. (It was just two years ago that it coincided with Thanksgiving.) Hanukkah remembers the events of the victorious Maccabean revolt. After successfully reclaiming and cleansing the Temple, they found there was only enough undefiled oil for a single day. God miraculously kept the scant oil burning for eight days until the preparation and purification of more oil was completed. Because of this, Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Light.
The symbol of this holiday is the Hanukkiah, or Hanukkah menorah (which is slightly different than the tabernacle menorah). This menorah has eight equal lights with a ninth in the middle rising slightly higher. The middle light is called the attendant or servant light. It is with this one that all the others are lit. The eight candles represent the lasting oil where each day another is lit as the miracle becomes brighter. These candles are dependent on the servant candle for their flame, but once lit, they get to add to the growing radiance.
Christians can celebrate Hanukkah, too. The Light of the World has come! Bless God that we no longer need to live in darkness. And just as He lights our way, we are called to be children of light. He calls us to be light to our world, like a city on a hill, lighting the way for others.
I pray that His light will shine in me and His glorious love will be seen.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
