Dave and I have just finished a wonderful 3 weeks with our 5 musician friends from Poland and we are thanking God for His provision and blessing. We traveled throughout the Midwest, performing music and sharing testimony in homes, churches, a culture club, and the National Missionary Convention. Thanks to many of you who supported this tour in various ways .. and mostly in prayer. We are confident that God will continue to bear fruit as a result of our time together.
And now we turn our attention to the holidays. As you know, as part of GMM we work closely with messianic Jewish ministries. We have been sending out greeting cards to some of our Jewish friends overseas because this Tuesday evening (Dec. 4) marks the beginning of Hanukkah. Dave and I weren't raised celebrating Hanukkah .. actually, it's only been in the last few years that we have begun to appreciate and enjoy the significance of this Jewish holiday. So, I thought it might be interesting and helpful to write a brief explanation of Hanukkah. I've added it as an attachment for your reading pleasure. :) I hope it will be an encouragement to you!
May God's love, joy, hope, and peace permeate our homes and hearts during the holiday season.
As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded not only of the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world, but also of another festival of lights -- Hanukkah. Although Hanukkah is often mistakenly viewed as a “Christmas alternative for Jewish people,” it is a holiday of much deeper significance.
Travel in your mind to Jerusalem, 168 years before the birth of Jesus. Antiochus IV, a Seleucid king, has invaded the land, looted the Temple, massacred Jews, and forbidden worship of the God of Israel. He even goes so far as to erect an altar to Zeus in the Temple, itself! Mattathias, a Jewish priest, and his five sons (including Judah, the Maccabee), rise up and lead a rebellion against Antiochus.
In 165 B.C., Judah and a handful of men and their followers successfully defeat the armies of Antiochus, liberate the Temple, and rededicate it to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is an amazing testimony of God’s mighty hand at work to protect His people and to preserve the honor of His Name. This defining moment in Israel’s history is remembered during the “Feast of Dedication” (“Hanukkah” means “dedication”) -- and has been celebrated ever since (see John 10:22-23 -- the feast during the time of Jesus).
According to Jewish tradition, when the Temple was rededicated and the lights of the lamp stand were to be rekindled, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to last for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days and the light filled the Temple. Accordingly, candles are lit each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. It is a special time to remember the faithfulness and holiness of our God and that His light endures and triumphs over the darkness of evil. It is a reminder for each of us, as “temples” of the most high God, to get rid of any “idols” in our hearts and to re-dedicate ourselves to purity and holiness before God.
As we partner with messianic ministries in Central and Eastern Europe, we can appreciate our Jewish heritage and grow in our understanding of God and His ways. Even now as we see greeting cards in the stores and Hanukkah candles in the windows, we remember the story behind the holiday, give praise to God for His faithfulness, and rededicate ourselves anew to Him.
