Hanukkah – the Festival of Lights. For eight days, the flames of the Hanukkah menorah shine in Jewish homes. Each evening, another candle is lit until the entire row of lights is ablaze. It is a festival of hope, born in dark times. This year it begins next Sunday evening.
By Dr. Tobias Krämer
Around 165 BC, Israel experienced a time of oppression. The Syrian-Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes had occupied Jerusalem, desecrated the Temple, and banned sacrificial offerings. He intended to strike Israel with devastating force: its faith, its identity, its future. But a small group of believers, led by Judah Maccabee, dared to rebel. They triumphed—against all odds. Therefore, it is worthwhile to read the Books of Maccabees, which are included in some editions of the Bible.
When the Maccabees recaptured the Temple, it was in a state of disrepair. The altar had been desecrated, and the light of the golden menorah had gone out. Amidst this catastrophe, the Jews searched for consecrated oil to relight the lamp. They found a small jar, but it contained only enough oil for one day—far too little according to Temple regulations. Yet a miracle occurred: the menorah burned for eight days—until new oil could be prepared—and the Temple could be reconsecrated. This is recounted in the Talmud (Tractate Shabbat 21b).
Small beginnings
Hanukkah reminds us that many things begin small. Not with power or great fanfare. In this case, with a single flame and the decision to light it, even though it seemed pointless. Such steps can be an expression of faith: doing something that, humanly speaking, has no future. But when God intervenes, the limits of the natural are shattered, and amazing things can happen. God values such faith and often confirms it. From the Hanukkah flame came eight days of light; from five loaves and two fish came a meal for thousands (Mark 6). A small initial step, taken in faith, can lead to great things.
Even God himself doesn't need much to achieve a breakthrough. Often, his own work begins in small ways. Just think of Elijah, who saw a tiny cloud the size of a hand, only to find himself drenched by torrential rain (1 Kings 18). Or Jesus, a single man from whom a worldwide movement of over two billion people emerged because God was present in him. At Hanukkah, a small jug of oil was enough to provide light for eight days. Likewise, faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to move mountains (Matthew 17:20). It's not about the resources we have. It's about what we make of them with God's help. Or conversely: what God makes of them together with us. God is at work—that's what makes the difference.
God's Spirit
The presence and effectiveness of God on earth has a name: the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, oil is a symbol for him. Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil and thus received the Holy Spirit (for example, 1 Samuel 16:13). In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is present for all who believe in Jesus. The Spirit is, so to speak, the initial gift that everyone receives who comes to faith in Jesus Christ. This gift opens up the fantastic possibility of not having to live life by one's own strength: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6). If one interprets Hanukkah prophetically and typologically, one can see in it a reference to the Holy Spirit, who came at Pentecost. Just as the oil in the menorah did not run out, so too does the Spirit of God not cease in his people.
Jesus
The prophet Isaiah proclaims: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:1) This is—Messianically interpreted—a prophecy about Jesus. Jesus says of himself: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) While the Festival of Lights can be celebrated, the event it commemorates (the dedication of the Temple) lies far in the past. But Jesus is here. Now. He is present. Whoever follows him is in the light, and no darkness in the world can prevent that.
John 10 recounts that Jesus was in Jerusalem during Hanukkah: “It was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple courts, in Solomon’s Colonnade.” (vv. 22-23) Jesus is urged to reveal himself: “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us!” (v. 24) Jesus points out that the answer is obvious, for his actions indicate that he was sent by God. He takes the thought to its climax: “I and the Father are one” (v. 30) – and criticizes: “But you do not believe.” (vv. 25-26) The reaction: “Then the Jews picked up stones to stone him.” (v. 31) Not everyone wants Jesus, not everyone wants the light. There is a battle between light and darkness (John 1:4-5). You inevitably become involved in this fight if you are on the side of the light.
From Hanukkah to Christmas
Hanukkah usually falls during Advent or Christmas. Both festivals are about light in the darkness, about God's intervention in hopeless situations. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple; Christmas celebrates God sending his Son into the darkness of the world to bring God's light to earth. It is therefore no surprise that light plays a role in the life of Jesus right from the beginning. The Magi are led to the manger by a shining star (Matthew 2), and a great light appears to the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem (Luke 2). Even at this early stage, light breaks through the darkness, although Jesus had done nothing more than take his first breaths.
Hanukkah promises what is fulfilled at Christmas: God's light dwells among humankind. Forever. This is also why Jesus can give his disciples such a great calling: "You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:14) This, of course, only applies because Jesus is the light and gives it to his disciples. We Christians, therefore, reflect his light. That is why: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) There could be no more beautiful task. The light shines wherever faith is proclaimed, love is lived, obedience is practiced, good is done, hope is sown, comfort is given, and peace is made.
The victory
Jesus has ushered in a turning point: The kingdom of darkness is defeated, God's kingdom is here. Not in its fullness, certainly, but it is here – and Jesus will bring it to its fullness when he returns. Therefore, in the end, there is the light that never goes out: “…they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will shine on them.” (Revelation 22:5) The light will completely triumph over all darkness. This confidence already illuminates our lives today.
