LIGHTING THE HANUKKIAH

• Reconcile back with God
• Day 1 – Light of Creation
• Day 2 – Light of Noah
• Day – Abraham, the father of the people of God

reconcile man back to his creator

For centuries, mankind has repeatedly wrestled with a persistent folly: keeping separate and distinct from the affairs of the world. This struggle is vividly illustrated in 1 Samuel 8:5, where the people of God asked Samuel to give them a king to judge them like the nations. By doing so, they rejected their perfect, merciful, sovereign King in favor of a human ruler limited in power, ability, and compassion. Indeed, as Ecclesiastes reminds us, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

day 1

Today, as believers in Christ, we should take advantage of this wonderful celebration, designed to shift our focus from man-centered activities and traditions, and realign our lives fully on our Creator. This time invites us to rededicate our hearts, making God the center and primary focus of all we do.

This is the essence of Hanukkah, which means dedication and is also known as the Feast of Dedication. On the first day, we light the center candle, known as the Shamash or servant candle. This candle, also referred to as the Light of Creation, signifies the light brought into existence by the Messiah, as described in the book of Genesis.

The Light was first given to Adam and Eve, who were meant to pass it on to the next generation. From that single Light, all other lights throughout history would come.
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day 2​

On the second day, the candle represents the Light of Noah. Just as Noah stood against the evil of his time, so did Mattathias Maccabee and his son Judah during the events that Hanukkah commemorates.

Let’s consider the connections between Noah and Hanukkah: there were eight people on the ark, and Hanukkah lasts for eight days. In Hebrew, the number eight signifies new beginnings. After the flood, Noah and his family experienced a new beginning. Similarly, after Judah and his followers defeated the Syrians that resulted in freeing God's people from their enemy, while regaining control of the Second Temple, the people of God experienced a new beginning.

day 3

The third light represents Abraham, the father of God's people. Through Abraham, the Light was reintroduced to the world.
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Abraham's willingness to bind his son, Isaac, on the altar demonstrates obedience and faith in God's promise of the promised seed. Just as Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son in obedience, Jesus offered Himself as the ultimate and acceptable substitute for all mankind in His obedience to God’s will.