Hanukkah: Why It Should Matter to Christians

Hanukkah, which will be observed December 14 -22 this year, is not just a Jewish celebration. It also carries profound lessons about faith and perseverance for Christians who share in the biblical heritage of this holiday.

Metro Voice shared the deep connection of Hanukkah and Christmas in a column this week.

“The connection between Hanukkah and Christianity is closer than many realize,” said Robin van Elten, the U.S. CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. “The gospel of John records that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah, also known as the Feast of Dedication. When Christians learn about Hanukkah, they are connecting with a practice that Jesus himself observed and with the values of courage, rededication and trust in God that the holiday represents.”

Hanukkah’s origins lie in the second century B.C., when the Jewish people were under the rule of King Antiochus IV of the Seleucid (Greek-Syrian) Empire. Antiochus sought to impose paganism on the Jews, desecrating the temple in Jerusalem by erecting an idol to Zeus and forcing Jews to abandon their dietary laws. This was the first time in Jewish history that enemies sought to destroy them spiritually rather than physically.

Against overwhelming odds, a small band of Jewish fighters known as the Maccabees, led by Mattathias and his son Judah, rose up in revolt. Although outnumbered and undertrained, they recaptured Jerusalem, cleansed the temple and rededicated it to God. That is the meaning of the word Hanukkah: “rededication.” When the Maccabees sought to relight the temple’s eternal flame, they found only enough oil to last for one day. Yet miraculously, the flame burned for eight days until new oil could be prepared. This miracle gave Hanukkah its other name: the Festival of Lights.

Hanukkah has many rich and meaningful traditions, including:

• Lighting the Menorah. Each night, one additional candle is lit until all eight are burning. A ninth candle, the shamash (“helper”), is used to light the others.
• Blessings and songs: Special prayers and hymns are recited, praising God for his miracles.
• Food. Fried foods such latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) recall the miracle of the oil.
• Games. Children play with the dreidel, a spinning top inscribed with Hebrew letters that stand for “A great miracle happened there.”

“Hanukkah is more than a historical commemoration,” van Elten said. “It is a living reminder that God’s miracles continue to shine in times of darkness. For Christians, Hanukkah offers a chance to reflect on the shared spiritual heritage of Judaism and Christianity, and to recognize the values of courage, faith and rededication that unite both traditions.”

–Dwight Widaman