This week we will Celebrate 2 HolyDays. Neither was instituted as a "holiday" by God, but both are great reasons for Celebrating. Both will be celebrated by many around the world, but many will celebrate without knowing the meaning of what they are celebrating. Both should be understood and bring much Rejoicing!
The first began this past Lord’s Day and continues for 8 days. It is Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication or Lights. The Celebration goes back to the time period after Alexander the Greek, the "silent years" between the Jew’s return after Babylonian captivity and the advent of Jesus, Emmanuel.
The Jewish people were under great oppression and persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes. Their Temple had been desecrated, even to the point of a pig, utter uncleanness, being sacrificed on the altar. But God’s people stood firm, faithful in prayer, Scripture study, and in fellowship together.
The sons of Mattathais, the Maccabees, stood against the Greek soldiers and chased them out of their village. Joined by the other Jews, in a 3 year war, they defeated the great Greek army, and rid Judea of them.
But their Temple was in ruins. The light of the holy oil that had burned day and night had been put out and was gone. They cleaned the Temple and found oil enough for 1 day. But God miraculously kept that oil burning for 8 days, while more was made and brought to the Temple. The people rededicated the Temple to the Lord.
Even though this HolyDay was not instituted as such by God, we have good reason to celebrate it. We can follow Jesus’ example, He did. Also, this celebration has meaning for us as believers in Jesus, the Christ. There is no physical Temple that God inhabits anymore, but those who have been reborn of God are His dwelling place. We can take this time to celebrate the salvation He has worked in us and the sanctifying work He is doing in us. He is cleaning up His dwelling place, from the defilement of the world. He also lights within us the Holy Oil of His Spirit, which never goes out.
We can also look at the historical aspect of this celebration and learn from the Jews and especially the Maccabees who stood in their faith under much persecution. We too can continue in the practice of our faith, even when persecution surrounds us and the world is set against us. The battle is the Lord’s, He wins. We stand with Him under impossible odds, and He who is faithful will see us through, to His glory.
Celebrate the Feast of Dedication and the Lights!
SDG,
For Me and My House ~ At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa @ Me and My House ~ Discipleship for Life!
1 Thessalonians 5:23
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