Hanukkah

​In this season (end November–December) all Israel celebrates the feast of Hanukkah. We usually read the story about great victory of outnumbered Maccabees, who could chase the Greek tyranny from the land and overthrow their yoke from the neck of chosen people. 

As a crown of all that story, God Almighty performed a miracle: in order to clean the temple after all the abominations of the foreign ruler, oil was needed and the amount of oil enough for one single day burned instead the full eight days, until more supply was brought in. Thus, the temple was dedicated again and true worship restored. They are many resources online, where you can read the full version of this story.

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It was a significant event in history. Today we celebrate it as the Festival of Lights during eight full days. According to the Jewish tradition, a special candlestick (Hanukkia) is lighted each evening. It has nine candles, four on each side of the center one, which is called “The Servant” and serves to lighten all the other candles.

The meaning of this story is so much larger

than a history event or Jewish tradition!

God Almighty sent His only Begotten Son into the world, and He appeared, the true light in the midst of darkness. We, humans, were in a mess, suffering the tyranny of the powerful foreign ruler, under the yoke of sin, which defiled us. As a result, we slowly forgot who we were created to be (God’s chosen people, His witnesses) and settled for the misery and shame… But God pierced that darkness; He mightily invaded the enemy’s territory with His overcoming light! No matter how thick the darkness has become, it had to flee at the revelation of light!                                                         

No matter who you are and what your title is before men, you need His light. “Everyone who will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”  - Let your life will be illuminated by His glorious presence! He will make you a light bearer in this dark world. And even in the darkest hour, that light will be enough! It will sustain you! It is God’s doing, it is supernatural, it’s shining from the realm of His eternal glory.

And there is something else here: Seven is a number of perfection, and the number eight stands for the new beginning. There were eight days needed for the little light to burn, and then the provision of oil was there. As the Lord would tell to all His children: Do not be afraid of what’s coming. Keep your light burning, and it will be enough to take you through the darkness into the new dawn, new beginning, when the Glory of the Lord will cover the whole earth! Because this present age is coming to completion and the New Beginning is near.

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By Tanya Ramm

"See God's Hand" Series