Why Our Family Celebrates Chanucha

Some years ago in our homeschooling journey, we started researching and studying Biblical Feasts and Celebrations. At another point, we were challenged by Bettie Mitchell at a Good Samaritan Ministries Counselor training seminar to study the life of Jesus to benefit not only ourselves but also those people God may send to us.

As I started my study, I noticed something that struck me as significant. Jesus, the Son of God (John 1:1,14), the Bread of Life (John 6:35), the Light of the world (John 8:12) celebrated the Biblical Feasts.

As a teacher by training and ongoing experience, I have learned that children learn best by not only seeing and hearing, but by doing. I notice in my studies that God often incorporates His teachings by using the five senses. He also made times of rest to focus on remembering His great love and provision for His people.

The use of oil to commemorate the miracle of enough oil to keep the light burning, was to remind Gods people of His continual presence with them even during the hardest times. God aided the Maccabees with courageous endurance to follow Him and His ways even when the prevailing culture threatened death and destruction. Light is a metaphor for wisdom.

I have found myself many times in my life needing the Light of God’s word to show me the path I need to take. It often seems to run counterculture to follow God’s direction. Currently, we are dealing with how to remediate mold in parts of our home. It has become clear that this is the root cause of my health challenges. We were looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home with our children and friends. Most years find us sharing music at various venues. This is a season of rest, reflection and “where do we go from here?”

It is pretty dark where we are living right now. It is so dark, our dog becomes invisible in the night. But we are warm and dry. We have food to eat, much more than we could ever use and looking forward to sharing what we have.

Jesus announcement of Himself as the Light of the World in John 10:22 during the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, reminds me of Isaiah’s words in Isaiah 9:2, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Lord, help us to see Your light in Your son Jesus. Help us to turn towards Your light and follow You. Help us to remember that it is “Not by might, nor by power but My Spirit declares the Lord. Zechariah 4:6”

How are you seeing Jesus as the Light of the World?