Hannukah is a beautiful time of year. There is snow on the ground, (I'm Canadian, remember?), frost on the trees, and everyone is getting in a joyful mood..... and decorating in red and green. It can be strange not to take part in the craziness that is Christmas but the change is always worth it and can be fun all on it's own. It becomes it's own special time of year, a wonderful time to make memories and to teach scripture to our children in a special way.
Hannukah can also be intimidating to first timers, because sadly there is a lot of information about it without truly holding a lot of information about it! Confusing right? So first lets get into what hannukah is not, what it is, and why some choose to celebrate it.
Firstly, Hannukah is not Christmas. It has absolutely nothing to do with the birth of our Messiah. It shouldn't be decorated with any of the pagan symbology we find in Christmas. After all, if we are moving away from that why are we bringing it over? Leave the wreaths, jingle bells, Rudolf and Elf on a Shelf (I mean Mensch on a Bench, or Maccabee on the Mantle) with Christmas. There are some excellent ways to decorate and celebrate, and some of them may look very similar! But not all things are benign and transfer well.
Instead, Hannukah is a celebration of the Jewish people again escaping decimation. The story of Hannukah comes from between the close of the Tanakh and the opening of the Brit Hadasha (some theorize around 2BC), when the Greeks controlled Judea. They where oppressing the people, pushing them out and defiling the temple. When one man, Judah Maccabee, heard news that they where planning to sacrifice a pig on the alter of God he gathered men to follow him and rebelled to stop this from happening. By Yah's hand 300 men went against the Greek army and won. The men instantly went about re-dedicating the Temple to Elohim and purifying it. Now, from here there is a few alternating stories. The most likely is that the holiday was made to celebrate the victory and the re-dedication, lasting eight days just as Sukkot does since Sukkot couldn't have been properly celebrated that year. The Jewish people, however, felt they could never create a holiday around a military victory they came up with a story. Some feel this story is entirely accurate, and it may be the case, but without an authoritative source to make and support the claim we can never know for sure. The story goes, with the victory one and the purification starting the men wanted to light the menorah in the temple but because of the misuse of the temple there was only enough oil to last one day. They lit it anyways and went about preparing more oil, which takes eight days. God, recognizing their desires to please him, made the oil last for eight days until more oil was ready for use. And thus began the Festival of Lights, the Feast of Dedication, Hannukah.
So what does this mean for Believers? This is something that was already more for the Tribe of Judah than all of Israel as the main diasporas had happened. and it certainly isn't biblically mandated or given to us by God, so it isn't something that automatically applies. It is an optional holiday for Believers to take part in, and some choose not to for their own reasons which I certainly respect! My family however have opted to celebrate for a few reasons. One large reason is that, as a family who transitioned from Christmas with young children, this helps them not to feel left out of holiday celebrations around them. It helps them make the transition and not feel like they are missing out but that they have gained, they get eight days instead of one! We also see this holiday as a perfect time to celebrate Light, the Light of the World, and to teach our children scripture in a special way over the holiday; following the command of the Shema to teach them at all times.
Ultimately however it comes down to one thing, emulating our Messiah. John 10:22-23 has been disputed over this to some extent. It reads, Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, 23 and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo’s Colonnade. Now, I want you to notice a few things. Firstly, at Hannukah the Temple would have been abuzz with people celebrating, bringing offerings, and have the general environment of the holiday. Yet within this environment we see Yeshua walking, and clearly in no rush to get away from it or even angered like we was with the merchants in the Temple. In fact we see absolutely no negativity from him about what is going on around him! Yet we know he had no issue with making his objections known if something wrong was being done at the temple as he chased out the merchants with flipping tables and whips, and they where even outside of Solomon's Colonnade. So Yeshua clearly has no overt issue with Hannukah, and thus allows it to be permissible. A step further however, yes, Yeshua visited the Temple often, but he also traveled often. To the mind of my husband and I him being willingly present at the temple at that time is not only a statement for permission, but an encouragement. And if Yeshua himself could take part in such things our family will do so as well.
So does one take part in Hannukah? Biblically speaking there are no requirements, which means that for a Believer there really is no right or wrong way to celebrate, provided we follow the mandates in scripture of not incorporating pagan aspects into anything to do with Elohim. There are many ideas in how to do this, some even bringing in traditions from Jewish Hannukah! What I will do now is walk you through the holiday we have brought in, our ideas. I encourage you to do further research and look into ideas to make the holiday your own!
In preparation for Hannukah I decorate a few weeks in advance. Filling my home with lights around the windows and candles and lights through the home, what would the Festival of Lights be without light shining around us in spectacular fashion? Decorating in blue and white and making the table look elegant in the theme, continuing a color theme we see for Yahweh repeated in scripture. Putting out the holiday pockets on their candle holder hooks and setting out the hannukiah.
The hannukiah is a central aspect to the holiday, as it holds nine candles rather than the traditional seven of the Menorah. There is special symbology to this, first you have the eight days, for four candles on each side surrounding the Semash, the Servant candle. The Servant candle is the source of all light spread through the days; just as Yeshua is the source of light through all of scripture and for all days. By Yeshua all light shines, and by lighting the servant candle we then use it to light the other candles. On the first night we light the servant candle and one one, two on the second night, and three on the third and so on. As my husband does this he speaks a little of what that night means to us, as we work our way through scripture over the one week, We let the candles burn down through dinner on that night.
Our holiday pockets may seem rather familiar to those transitioning, they can resemble the idea of stockings. But rather than one big sock type pouch these are eight small pockets on one band. We allow our kids to go into one pocket on every morning, rather than do a present a day which is far to commercial for our liking (nevermind expensive). Inside they find a small dollar store toy and a piece of gelt, a chocolate coin. In this way they still find that the days are special, marked out. This is something we use during Unleavened Bread and Sukkot as well.
Throughout the holiday we can be found playing Dreidel. The origins of this game are largely unknown, with a few different stories around it. The one that is applicable is the idea that this game was played in the caved the Maccabees stayed in before defeating the Greeks. Playing this game when they where checked in on, to hide the Torah scrolls they had been studying illegally. Below is an image to show game play, we play with chocolate coins to share afterwards!
Those are things that go on all through the holiday, as well as copious amounts of food and snacks. Thinks like latkes, jelly donuts, chocolate and treats are all traditional but add your own as well! Oiled cooked foods are especially common since the 'mystery of the oil' plays into Hanukkah's history.
As I said, this is a week of learning for our children. To do this we have given each day a special meaning. On the first evening we see it as Creation and the Fall, As the first candle is lit by the servant candle my husband explains that Through Yeshua all things where created, and light was given to creation. Likewise how the light dimished over the first years and Elohim was angered, cursing mankind and leaving us with sin nature, but giving us his promise for redemption. We always make this first night special, the formation of light and the first promise of the Messiah as well as why we need one. We celebrate with a large dinner, all the fixings, read the story of Creation and the Fall, gather with family and friends and that evening we give our children a gift of pajamas or new slippers or the like. The coming day we celebrate with treats, and I will do a craft with the children to show them to be creative just as Elohim is creative.
Day Two is about how Elohim grew so upset over the sin in the world, how it had taken over, that he refreshed the world with the flood, then began to form his chosen Israel. We read the flood story and about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, learning how we need to strive to have the faith of these great patriarches and what we can learn from them and from the rainbow.
Day Two is about how Elohim grew so upset over the sin in the world, how it had taken over, that he refreshed the world with the flood, then began to form his chosen Israel. We read the flood story and about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, learning how we need to strive to have the faith of these great patriarches and what we can learn from them and from the rainbow.
Day Three is to represent the Exodus from Egypt, and the Law being given to Moses. In this we see the Ruach leading Israel from captivity, bringing them Freedom within Him. We recognize that it was Yeshua who was the only one capable of perfectly following Torah, and seek to follow to the best of our ability. On this day we will read and review much of the Laws Elohim gave us. With the ages of our children this is a time for coloring sheets of the ten commandments, or Moshe and the tablets, things of that ilke. This is a time to go in depth on teaching our children the value of Torah, showing them that as the Isrealites where free from Egypt so too we can be free from sin by following the Ruach into obedience to the Law. The daytime is a great time to play 'Simon says', showing how obeying is rewarding but sometimes tricky.
On the fourth day we give our nod to the Maccabees, for without them we would not have Hannukah. We read the story of hannukah and talk about it, possibly making popsicle stick Star of Davids and painting them in blue and white, likely playing spin the Driedel. But it isn't all fun and games. This day is also a heavy one. Like the Maccabees rededicated the Temple we too need to go over our year, thinking as we did on the Day of Atonement. As a body in which the Holy Spirit resides we too are Temples for the Living Elohim. As such this is a good time to be reminded to rededicate ourselves, and ensure that His Temple is kept Holy.
Thus ends the four days of the Tanakh, equally dividing the Old from the New Testaments. At the center of it all is Yeshua, the Light that gives all light; represented by the Servant Candle. Showing a visual image of how Yeshua is in all of scripture.
The fifth day is a special one for us, it represents the ultimate gift, Yeshua. This is a day to recognize his birth on the Day of Trumpets. We read the Nativity story and talk about what was going on at the time, what all of it meant. The next day is a day of service for us, recognizing that Yeshua gave the ultimate gift - himself - and so we must also give of ourselves. With the ages of our children this has been things like giving presents to a family who couldn't afford any one year, or making blessing bags for the local homeless. We look forward to future years when we can do things like serve at a food kitchen, or volunteer for a good cause.
Day six is about the crucifixion and resurrection. At this dinner we ensure to take a special communion, something we do every Shabbat but additionally do on this day, as Yeshua did the night before he was crucified on Passover. We talk about the sacrifice he made, what his death did to atone for our sins and grant us Grace through Faith. We celebrate that through Him we can be made Holy and be in the presence of Abba, Father. During the daytime for this day we try to have friends over for the kids and for ourselves, a large fellowship and casual party in celebration.
On the seventh day we see Shavuot symbolized. How Yahweh gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us through life in obedience to Him. This is a special day to set aside for Praising Yahweh. Singing to Him, dancing to Him, praying and all things joyful. Banding together with believers in celebration for Yah's Grace and his gift of the Holy Spirit.
The last evening, the eight evening, is another large dinner like the first evening. Closing out Hannukah with festivities, games, and friends and family. We read in scripture of how Yeshua will be coming back to claim his bride and take us to the marriage supper of the Lamb before reigning with us and then bringing us into the new heavens and the new earth. What a joyous event for us to look forward to! The next morning is our time for gifts beyond the small trinkets in the hannukah pockets. We gather around those we love, exchanging small, heartfelt gifts to show our love for them. As people grow they may not get one, or what they get will grow in sentiment; after all, hannukah isn't about the gifts at all, but about the love Elohim has given us through his plan for redemption and salvation.
As you can see, we do indeed go through much of scripture during Hannukah, and hit on all the Holy Days. Reinforcing them to our children the importance of these things and teaching them in a unique way once a year. This helps to show them more than one way to learn the lessons we wish to teach them, and to remind us adults of these values as well. Hannukah truly is a wonderful time to celebrate and bring people together. I hope this post has helped you with your transition, given you ideas and encouragement, and helped you to understand what Hannukah is and is not. May Yah bless you.
On the fourth day we give our nod to the Maccabees, for without them we would not have Hannukah. We read the story of hannukah and talk about it, possibly making popsicle stick Star of Davids and painting them in blue and white, likely playing spin the Driedel. But it isn't all fun and games. This day is also a heavy one. Like the Maccabees rededicated the Temple we too need to go over our year, thinking as we did on the Day of Atonement. As a body in which the Holy Spirit resides we too are Temples for the Living Elohim. As such this is a good time to be reminded to rededicate ourselves, and ensure that His Temple is kept Holy.
Thus ends the four days of the Tanakh, equally dividing the Old from the New Testaments. At the center of it all is Yeshua, the Light that gives all light; represented by the Servant Candle. Showing a visual image of how Yeshua is in all of scripture.
The fifth day is a special one for us, it represents the ultimate gift, Yeshua. This is a day to recognize his birth on the Day of Trumpets. We read the Nativity story and talk about what was going on at the time, what all of it meant. The next day is a day of service for us, recognizing that Yeshua gave the ultimate gift - himself - and so we must also give of ourselves. With the ages of our children this has been things like giving presents to a family who couldn't afford any one year, or making blessing bags for the local homeless. We look forward to future years when we can do things like serve at a food kitchen, or volunteer for a good cause.
Day six is about the crucifixion and resurrection. At this dinner we ensure to take a special communion, something we do every Shabbat but additionally do on this day, as Yeshua did the night before he was crucified on Passover. We talk about the sacrifice he made, what his death did to atone for our sins and grant us Grace through Faith. We celebrate that through Him we can be made Holy and be in the presence of Abba, Father. During the daytime for this day we try to have friends over for the kids and for ourselves, a large fellowship and casual party in celebration.
On the seventh day we see Shavuot symbolized. How Yahweh gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us through life in obedience to Him. This is a special day to set aside for Praising Yahweh. Singing to Him, dancing to Him, praying and all things joyful. Banding together with believers in celebration for Yah's Grace and his gift of the Holy Spirit.
The last evening, the eight evening, is another large dinner like the first evening. Closing out Hannukah with festivities, games, and friends and family. We read in scripture of how Yeshua will be coming back to claim his bride and take us to the marriage supper of the Lamb before reigning with us and then bringing us into the new heavens and the new earth. What a joyous event for us to look forward to! The next morning is our time for gifts beyond the small trinkets in the hannukah pockets. We gather around those we love, exchanging small, heartfelt gifts to show our love for them. As people grow they may not get one, or what they get will grow in sentiment; after all, hannukah isn't about the gifts at all, but about the love Elohim has given us through his plan for redemption and salvation.
As you can see, we do indeed go through much of scripture during Hannukah, and hit on all the Holy Days. Reinforcing them to our children the importance of these things and teaching them in a unique way once a year. This helps to show them more than one way to learn the lessons we wish to teach them, and to remind us adults of these values as well. Hannukah truly is a wonderful time to celebrate and bring people together. I hope this post has helped you with your transition, given you ideas and encouragement, and helped you to understand what Hannukah is and is not. May Yah bless you.