It is not Jewish Christmas. 200 years before Jesus, the Greeks occupied what is now Israel. Jews were forbidden to worship God. In 165 BC they threw out Antiochus IV and reestablished the Jewish state. Because the temple had been desecrated, it needed to be cleansed and rededicated. It is remembering this rededication that Hanukkah is all about. Jesus celebrated Hanukkah. It says so in John 10:22. In remembering the rededication from the temple where Jesus worshiped, we proclaim that light can overcome darkness. There's been times in history when displaying the menorah with the eight candles of Hanukkah has been an act of courage. Sadly, it would appear that now is again one of those times. But we can stand against the darkness by wishing each other, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Happy Hanukkah. It is a small statement with a powerful message. Happy Hanukkah.
This is Dr. Scott Morris for Church Health.
