For Christians, Hanukkah offers a meaningful prelude to Christmas, pointing to themes that find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Hanukkah: A Celebration of Light and Dedication
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, originates from the story of the Maccabees, as recorded in 1 and 2 Maccabees. When the Jewish people faced the desecration of their Temple under Seleucid oppression, they rose up under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus to reclaim and rededicate it. As the Temple menorah was relit, God performed a miracle: a single day’s supply of consecrated oil burned for eight days.
This miracle, chronicled in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b), symbolizes God’s enduring presence and faithfulness to His people. As Psalm 27:1 declares, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Hanukkah is a celebration of God’s light shining in the midst of darkness.
Christmas: The Birth of the Light of the World
Similarly, Christmas celebrates the arrival of divine light. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed:
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2).
For Christians, this prophecy was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, who called Himself the “Light of the World” (John 8:12). His coming heralded a new hope for all humanity, offering eternal salvation through His life, death, and resurrection.
This connection between Hanukkah and Christmas is further emphasized in their shared focus on light. Just as Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the menorah, the Mass for Christmas includes the blessing of candles and often concludes with the final lighting of the Advent wreath. The Advent candles symbolize Christ’s coming as the Light of the World.
Thus, while Hanukkah celebrates the light of the menorah, Christmas goes a step further, celebrating the Light of Christ that illuminates not just the Temple but the entire world.
The Temple, Hanukkah, and Christ
The story of Hanukkah revolves around the rededication of the Temple, a sacred space where God’s presence dwelled. In Haggai 2:9, the prophet foretold:
“The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace.”
Jesus fulfills this prophecy by becoming the ultimate Temple. In John 2:19-21, He says:
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Through His resurrection, Jesus replaces the physical Temple as the place where humanity encounters God. As Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple, Christmas celebrates the coming of Christ, who sanctifies believers as living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
The Continuity of Divine Light
Interestingly, Hanukkah is explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. In John 10:22-23, Jesus is seen in the Temple during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah):
“At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.”
During this festival, Jesus proclaims His unity with the Father, saying:
“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).
In this context, Jesus ties Himself to the themes of Hanukkah: divine light, deliverance, and rededication. His presence in the Temple during Hanukkah underscores His role as the fulfillment of all that the festival signifies.
Christ: The Light That Transcends Seasons
The menorah of Hanukkah burns brightly as a testament to God’s faithfulness and deliverance. The Advent wreath and Christmas candles extend this theme, celebrating Jesus Christ as the true Light of the World. These traditions remind us that light is central to God’s revelation and salvation.
Why not celebrate the Light such as Christ, who fulfills the promises of Hanukkah? Just as the menorah points to God’s intervention in history, the Advent wreath points to His ultimate intervention through the birth of Jesus. Together, they invite us to reflect on God’s faithfulness and to dedicate our lives to Him as temples of His Spirit.
Conclusion: A Season of Dedication and Light
Hanukkah and Christmas, though distinct, share a message of hope, divine intervention, and light triumphing over darkness. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple, while Christmas celebrates the arrival of Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), who makes all things new.
As we light menorahs or Advent candles this season, let us remember the words of Christ:
“Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
In honoring the light of Hanukkah and the Light of Christmas, we are reminded of God’s enduring presence and His call for us to be His light in a dark world.