People say "You are not Jewish. Why are you celebrating Hanukkah?" My answer is "Why not? Jesus did." Hanukkah is about bringing light to where there is only darkness. Hanukkah is about having the courage to stand up for what is right when others are willing to conform to what the world declares to be politically correct. Hanukkah is about rededication to that which is spiritual. Hanukkah is about one family that led others to follow the true God instead of obeying a man who declared himself to be "god." Hanukkah is about victory when it seemed improbable. Hanukkah is about how a few won over so many. It is about the "freedom to be" ---to exist with the right to protect your family and worship as you choose. It is about trusting God when the odds are against you. It is about having plenty when there was so little. It is about doing all you can to help yourself and with God's grace you are delivered from captivity. It is about the temple of God and keeping it sacred to be used for His purposes. There are so many lessons in the story of Hanukkah which will bring spiritual light into our homes as we rededicate ourselves each of the eight nights. I say "Why not Hanukkah? Doesn't everyone need more spiritual light? Don't we need to journey the path that brings us closer to God? It is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the Messiah and his return. It is about "The Light of the World." It is about having no fear to place the menorah, a symbol of the Holy Spirit from the first temple, in our front window for the world to see that we believe and want to have that Holy Spirit in our home and in each member of our family . It is having no fear to bear our testimony of a mighty God in heaven who is in control in spite of the chaos. So I ask again, "Why do you have to be a Jew to see the light and to believe in a "Jewish God" -----I believe He is THE ONE TRUE GOD. I believe that Hanukkah celebrates that fact. Hanukkah helps us to remember that He delivers those who remember Him.
Let your light shine! Hanukkah begins tomorrow at sundown. Clear the pigs off your altars and purify yourselves by trying harder to do that which He would have you do. Re-light that spiritual light that has dimmed in your soul and let it shine in your heart so that you will be worthy to serve the God who has always been there when you have sought Him in the past.
Happy Hanukkah! And pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
A great miracle happened there. Miracles are a gift from God to those who have enough faith to believe. That is the real meaning of Hanukkah.
