At this time of year there is much talk of Christmas, yet there is another story…
(I wrote this originally for a home school presentation. As I read this in my best James Earl Jones type voice, my daughter played the Star Wars theme in the background on her violin. Maybe if you try hard enough you can hear the sound effects as you read. Just thought you should know so you can set the proper mood.)
It is a time long, long ago in a far away distant land…
It is an age of darkness and despair.
The Evil Empire rules all of the ancient land of Syria.
Anxious to expand the Empire, the merciless Dark Emperor sets his eye on devouring Egypt.
However, Israel stands in the way and must be dealt with first.
Spies for the Emperor inform him there may be one among the Hebrews who, for a price, will convince the people it is futile to resist the Emperor’s will.
That man is Yahoshua.
Eager for personal gain, Yahoshua bargains with the dark emperor to make him the High Priest. In return, he signs a treaty giving the evil empire rule over Israel and adopts the name Jason in the language of the Emperor’s home world Greece.
Now with the Jews under control, the emperor leaves to declare war on Egypt.
But Jason has his own plans. He secretly seeks total control of Israel for himself.
The emperor learns of his treacherous plans and returns to unleash his wrath. Thousands are murdered by the Emperor’s storm troopers. The Temple of Yahweh – the one true God of the Hebrews - is partially destroyed and its sacred vessels of gold are looted.
The Dark Emperor learns that it is recorded in the Holy Book of the Jews called the Torah, that the God Yahweh declares the pig to be unclean - unholy for food or sacrifice.
The sinister emperor places a statue of a Greek god that looks like himself in the Temple where he slaughters a pig and spreads the blood. He makes a swine broth, pours it on the Torah Scrolls, and then burns them.
The emperor declares the pig as the only sacrificial animal allowed. The Hebrew language is outlawed. Circumcision is banned. Families are slaughtered for the crime of owning a Torah scroll.
Treacherous priests bend to the will of the dark side and lead the people to accept the new laws.
But Rebellion brews in the hearts of a faithful few.
So a commander is sent to force the people to sacrifice a pig and to eat the pig meat.
Disobedience is certain death.
A faithless priest steps forward to perform the sacrifice.
As he begins, a rage swells in a loyal priest called a cohen. His name is Matityahu. In an instant he slays the corrupt priest with a sword. The commander tries to strike back, but the cold steel of Matityahu’s sword is too fast and crunches its way to the hilt. Matityahu’s sons rally and defeat the storm troopers who came with the commander.
The Emperor is outraged. The Evil Empire strikes back, but the rebellion is strong.
Yahudah the Macabee leads the small band of rebel cohen warriors who return again and again. For three years they fight an elusive hit and run war against superior forces. Finally, the Empire retreats and the cohen warriors regain Jerusalem and the temple.
With the evil forces gone, the priests immediate task is to clean The Temple of the Emperor’s filth and restore worship to Yahweh.
The Menorah – the symbol of Yahweh’s light in the Temple – is broken. A single vial of holy oil is left - enough to light the Menorah for only one day.
A priest can sanctify more oil, but first the priest must be consecrated. That takes seven days.
What can they do? They light the Menorah with the one-day’s supply of oil.
The next day a messenger runs declaring, “The Menorah, The Menorah… it still burns!” The people stir in amazement.
The second day, and the third, and the fourth…the Menorah still burns…
“Can it be true?”
Praise is given to Yahweh.
Indeed, it is the miracle of the oil. The Menorah stays lit eight full days.
The dedication of the Temple to Yahweh is performed. In the Hebrew tongue it is called Hanukkah.
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So, now you know. 160 years before the birth of the Messiah, a great miracle happened called Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights.
For the celebration, The Hanukkiah is used. Unlike the Temple Menorah with seven lamps, the Hanukkiah has nine lights. One, called a shamash or servant, is used to light the others.
Today, the Shamash should serve to remind us of the Messiah as the Ultimate servant.
Evidence is strong that the Messiah Himself was conceived during the Festival of Lights. How many are aware Scripture records He honored the feast with His presence?
We all agree that the Messiah chose His words precisely using terms first century Hebrews would recognize. Therefore, does it not seem reasonable that when He declares Himself to be the Light of the World, He is referring to the Festival of Lights so familiar to His Jewish followers?
If you are careful to note the theme of Hanukkah, you'll see a direct contrast between this celebration and Christ - mass.
Hanukkah represents the struggle against the forces of pagan sun god worship. It celebrates deliverance from false worship.
Yet, Christ -mass is a celebration totally immersed in the trappings of sun god worship.
In any case, as the Shamash, The Messiah truly is light to a dark and evil generation.
