“Daddy, which comes first, Christmas or Hanukkah?” asked Susie. “Well, this year they both fall on the same day. So, we celebrate Christmas in the morning and Hanukkah that night. Some people call it; Chrismukkah.”
Susie’s brow furrowed. Then slowly a smile spread across her face and a twinkle lit up her eyes. “Does that mean we get more presents? And latkes and eggnog too?” she eagerly asked. Laughing, her dad replied, “I guess it does.”
Christmas and Hanukkah have more in common than occurring on the same day.
Both involve miracles and lights.
HANUKKAH HAS TWO MIRACLES AND LIGHTS!
Did you know that the first miracle involved faith to fight? Back around 167 B.C., Jews had it rough. The Seleucid Greeks imposed their culture and religion on the Jews banning their practices and desecrating the Temple. In faith, Judah Maccabee led a rag tag group of freedom fighters to revolt. Miraculously, they overcame the Greeks and successfully reclaimed both Jerusalem and the Temple!
WHAT WAS THE SECOND MIRACLE?
FAITH TO LIGHT IT UP!
Now, the Temple needed light. However, the Jews were faced with more than a dark room, they needed the light of God to ignite hope in their hearts. Their answer? Light the menorah! The branches of this lampstand held oil made by the priest which continuously burned as the light of God’s presence. However, there was a problem. It took eight days to make the oil and they only had enough oil to burn for one day.
What were they to do?
Light it up in faith! They did and thus saw the 2nd miracle. The oil didn’t just burn for one day. It burned for eight days so God’s light never went out! God rewarded their faith with His loving miracle igniting hope in their hearts.
YEARS LATER,
THERE WAS ANOTHER MIRACLE AND LIGHT
CELEBRATED AS CHRISTMAS!
In God’s amazing love for us, He created the greatest miracle of all; the birth of His Son, Jesus, to the virgin Mary. Celebrated as Christmas, this miracle fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14. And although nothing can compare to this miracle, weren’t there other miracles as well?
Wouldn’t we say that Mary’s faith was miraculous?
Imagine if an angel appeared to us saying we would give birth to the Son of God! How could a virgin give birth? How about the stigma back then of pregnancy before marriage? There would have been the fear and shame of a public trial labeling her an adulteress. Yet Mary had the faith to put her fate in God’s hands.
How about Joseph? Wouldn’t we say that it took a miracle of faith on his part too? Faith that she didn’t cheat on him. Faith that the unlikely dream he had was true.
But while he thought about these things,
behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife,
for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
And she will bring forth a Son,
and you shall call His name Jesus,
for He will save His people from their sins,”
Matthew 1: 20-21
Many miracles surround Jesus’ birth and the faith of Mary and Joseph were just two of them.
WHAT ABOUT THE LIGHTS?
Perhaps the lights on a Christmas trees, candles or even stars come to our minds. However, the light I’m referring to is Jesus. He is the light of the world that saves us from darkness bringing hope to our hearts.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
“I am the light of the world.
He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,
but have the light of life,”
John 8:12
Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, both holidays show:
God’s love bringing light to the darkness.
God’s powerful miracles and His faithfulness.
BOTH HOLIDAYS REMIND US
THAT WE CAN STILL EXPERIENCE
HIS LIGHT
AND MIRACLES
IN OUR LIVES TODAY.
In this blended season,
let’s light it up
by igniting the light of hope in our hearts through Jesus.
REFLECTION
Do you need hope?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write John 8:12 and say it aloud, I give you the hopelessness that has filled my heart. Ignite the flame of Your light in me filling me with Your hope and love. In Jesus name. Amen.
IN FAITH, LET’S LIGHT IT UP!
Comment!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
Photo tree & lights, Ajale
Photo manger, kensamwill
