Author: Susan Panzica

Today is the first day of Chanukah which officially began last night at sundown. Chanukah was one of my favorite times growing up.

• Playing dreidel games!
• Eating potato latkes! 
• Eight nights of presents!
• Lighting the Chanukah candles! 

As the eldest child in my family, I lit the menorah candles. First, we lit the tallest candle (the Shamash). Then the Shamash lit the other candles from right to left, lighting one the first night, two the next, and so on for eight nights. As I lit the candles, I said the following prayer:

Little did I know that the menorah and its candles were a beautiful reflection of the Light of the world that was to bring me from darkness to light.

Chanukah is often overshadowed by the many Christmas activities. It is not a particularly important Jewish festival, and not mentioned in the Old Testament. Chanukah, the Feast of Dedication is an eight day celebration commemorating the revolt and unlikely victory of the Jewish Maccabbees over the powerful Syrian Greeks who had invaded and oppressed Israel in 167 – 164 BC (the period of time between the Old and New Testaments).

Jesus observed Chanukah (John 10:20-30), and it was during this Feast the Jesus publicly declared Himself the Messiah by proclaiming “I and the Father are One.”

Celebrating Chanukah includes the telling of the story of how the Syrian ruler, Antiochus, brutally oppressed the Hebrews, forbidding the practice of Judiasm and desecrating the Temple by sacrificing pigs on the altar. Mattathias and his 5 sons, including Judah (nicknamed Maccabbee, the Hammer), led a rag-tag army in guerilla warfare for 3 years, retreating to the hills after each battle.

Finally, the Jews defeated the mighty Syrian army and returned to Jerusalem to find the Temple all but destroyed and the oil for the lampstand gone, except for a tiny amount enough for one day. The eternal flame of the Temple Menorah, central to Israel’s worship, was extinguished. Although it would take eight days for the priests to consecrate more oil, by faith they lit the Menorah. Miraculously, the one day’s supply of oil lasted those eight days. Judah Maccabbee declared that these events would be commemorated annually at the Feast of Dedication, the Festival of Lights, Chanukah. A special menorah would be used that had nine candles, rather than the seven branched lampstand in the Temple, one for each of the eight days and one Shamash candle.

The lights of the menorah are symbolic of our relationship with Christ, the Light of the world. The tallest candle is called Shamash which means “Servant.” The Servant candle lights the other candles yet loses none of its own light. Likewise, Jesus who “came not to be served, but to serve” (Mk 10:45) imparts His light to us and loses none of His own. He is the Light of the word (Jn 8:12), but He says that WE are the light of the world (Mt. 5:4).

The Temple in Jerusalem no longer stands, but God’s Word declares that WE are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19) and the light of the world. How is our oil burning? Sometimes an oil change is necessary. Or perhaps we are a quart low. Maybe we feel like all we have left is one day’s supply. Isn’t it reassuring to remember that the Bible teaches that more oil is always available when the undying flame has been ignited in our souls! 


When we spot a menorah, let’s remember that we have been illuminated by the Shamash, the Servant, and we have an eternal supply of oil to keep the Light of the world burning brightly in our hearts throughout the year. 


Thank you Jesus for imparting Your light to us. May we reflect You, bringing light to people still in darkness. Thank you for the miracles 2000 years ago, and the miracles today!! 

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