Kindling the lights of faith

Hanukka and Christmas: Connection with light is found in the book on each side of the two testaments.

By NITZA TANNER
hanukka (photo credit: NASA photo, graphics by Mall Mizrahi)
hanukka
(photo credit: NASA photo, graphics by Mall Mizrahi)
During the Jewish month of Kislev, there are two holidays – one Jewish and one Christian – Hanukka and Christmas. An eight-day festival known as the Feast of Oil and Lights, Hanukka may have originated in the time of Solomon, when the fire from heaven came down at the dedication of the Temple. (2 Chronicles 7:1)
Later, the Second Temple was desecrated with the worship of Zeus by the Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Eight days were needed to re-consecrate the Temple, but with only one day’s supply of oil for the golden lamp stand (menora), the lights miraculously burned for the entire period, until more pure oil could be produced. The holiday was instituted around 400-500 CE and was documented in the book of Maccabees. In modern-day observance, a new candle is lit on the menora each sunset until the eighth night, when windows in every neighborhood are aglow with candlelight.
The connection with light is interestingly found in the book on each side of the two testaments. At the close of the Old Testament, the Messiah is pictured as a flame of fire who will come to refine, purify, and purge his people like silver and gold. (Malachi 3:2-3) In the opening of the New Testament, he is heralded by the light of a star in the sky (Matthew 2:2- 10). The reference to light continues after the birth of Jesus, when his parents presented him in the Temple for his redemption as a first-born son. This is known in Hebrew as the pidyon ha-ben, and is described in Exodus 13:11-16.
During this presentation, the righteous Simon, who had been promised by God that he would not die before seeing the Messiah, blessed the infant as “a light that will bring revelation to the gentiles and glory to his people Israel.” (Luke 2:22-23) As an adult, Jesus later confirmed, “I am the light of the world; whosoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) God refers to his servant, Messiah: “I the Lord will give you as a covenant to the people and as a light to the gentiles.” (Isaiah 42:6) In the future Jesus said his return “will be like the lightning that flashes out of the east and fills the sky to the western horizon.” (Matthew 24:27) Isaiah spoke of a day when the Lord will reign: “Your sun will no longer go down, nor will your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be ended.” (Isaiah 60:20).
Although the union of Jewish and Christian holidays is not generally observed, these are wonderful times of celebration that can become even more rewarding when seen ‘by the light’ of Scripture.
The writer is a Christian Zionist living in Jerusalem.