Festival of Lights
From my Brother in the Lord, Evan aka Word.
Here is the link to my full Blog Entry:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=362504781&blogId=520981020
Festivals Of Light...
Note: I have not researched what he had said reguarding the switch of
the two stories. By no means am I saying he is wrong. He probably is
much more educated then myself. But I just don't know if the "legend"
was intended as a cover up. (For all I know it may have been) but only
because I haven't researched it for myself I am making this
commentary. i I always believe when challenging anything we must make
sure we are accurate and not just debating off of speculation. (Which
I have no doubt the writer has made sure probably knows things I
don't). Again it is only because I have not researched it. -Word
Now Let Us Begin...
Festival Of Light
By David Brickner
December 1, 2009
December's landscape is dominated by the artistry of light. In cities
and suburbs, from store windows to neighborhoods strung with holiday
decor, the beauty and attraction of light is wonderfully inescapable,
inviting all to embrace the festive mood. Would that those lights
might point beyond their own beauty to the deeper significance found
in God, who alone is Light.
Why do we find these festival lights so attractive? Scientists have
tried to explain the complex phenomenon of light through the language
of physics, relying on quantum theory, wave theory, etc. Fortunately,
we don't need to comprehend all the properties of light in order to
receive the benefit of its beauty. So it is with God.
I grew up in Boston where our family made annual pilgrimages to view
the December lights on display in the windows of Filene's basement. I
also remember staring in wonder at the flickering candlelights of the
Hanukkah menorah. I didn't need to understand the physics of light to
enjoy their beauty.
We can enjoy holiday lights for their simple beauty but we can also
allow them to point us to a deeper meaning and a far deeper beauty.
"Hanukkah" actually means dedication. It is more commonly known as the
Festival of Lights because of the well-known tradition of lighting the
nine-branch candelabra?called a menorah or Hanukkiah?every night of
the eight-day festival. According to tradition, the lights of the
menorah are to remind us of a miracle that occurred during the second
century B.C.
The Syrian ruler, Antiochus had captured Jerusalem and defiled the
Temple. Though vastly outnumbered, Jewish warriors known as Maccabees
recaptured the city and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem, hence the
name Hanukkah. According to legend, when they went to rededicate the
Temple they only had enough sanctified oil to light the seven-branch
menorah in that Temple for one day. They would need more time to make
and sanctify enough oil to keep the menorah lit, but they were zealous
to dedicate the Temple and did not want to wait. And so, according to
legend, one day's worth of oil lasted for eight days, enough time for
more oil to be made and sanctified for use in the Temple. That is why,
according to tradition, the festival lasts for eight days.
Notice that I referred to this traditional story as a legend as
opposed to a historical event that can be verified. What we do know is
that when the Jewish people recaptured the Temple, the most recent
Jewish holiday to have passed was the Festival of Tabernacles. That
great festival was detailed in the Law of Moses. It was to be
celebrated for eight days with many sacrifices offered at the Temple
in Jerusalem. The Syrians had made it impossible to observe that
holiday in its proper time. So it seems that Jewish leaders called for
a Tabernacles celebration?albeit a bit late?to celebrate the great
victory over the foreign oppressors. Over the years, that victory
celebration became a festival in its own right, and retained certain
characteristics from the celebration of Tabernacles.
During the times of the second Temple, the Festival of Tabernacles was
especially known for its marvelous illumination ceremony. Beginning on
the second night of the festival and continuing for each subsequent
evening, the court of the women in the Temple was set aglow by four
giant candelabras, each one some 73 feet tall.
The rabbinic commentary called the Mishna tells us "there was no
courtyard in Jerusalem not illuminated by the light?" and "he who has
not beheld this celebration has never seen joy?" (Sukkah 5.1)
Within the context of this very celebration, Y'shua (Jesus) declared,
"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). Weeks later, He was
in the Temple once more. It was Hanukkah (John 10:22) when Jesus
announced, "I and my Father are one" (verse 30).
I find it amazing that Jesus chose these two festivals to make such
bold Messianic claims. He certainly did not "hide His light under a
bushel." After all, according to the prophet Isaiah, light was to be
one of the dominant characteristics of the ministry of Messiah who was
to come (Isaiah 49:6). just as Simeon recognized when he held the baby
in his arms, calling Jesus "A light to bring revelation to the
Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel" (Luke 2:32).
The celebrations of Hanukkah and Messiah's birth are both Festivals of
Light pointing to the Light of the World, Jesus. Surely, he who has
not beheld that light has never seen true joy. And therein lies the
challenge for us today. It is our privilege and responsibility to
shine His light at all times, especially in this festive season. I
find it compelling that the apostle Paul, when he gave testimony
before King Agrippa, actually understood his own calling to proclaim
the gospel as part of the fulfillment of the Messianic hope to bring
light to the Gentiles.(Acts 26:16-18)
Likewise, the One who declared, "I am the Light of the world," also
told us, "You are the light of the world" (Mathew 5:14)[emphasis
ours]). Even though we are not the light in the same way Jesus is the
light, every time we make Him known we share that function with Him,
spreading His joy.
This month as we admire the lights on display, we can remark to any
who will listen how the beauty of those lights reminds us of the One
who truly is the Light of the world.
When Jewish people light the menorah for Hanukkah, each night we use
the ninth candle, called the Shamash or servant candle, to light the
others. We are told to place our menorah in a window so that all might
see our faith and hope at this Festival of Lights. What a beautiful
picture that paints of God's Shamash, our servant Messiah, Y'shua, who
has provided the light we share with others. In this festival season
let us also remember to place Him prominently in the window of our
lives so that all may see our faith and hope as well. "In Him was life
and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4).
Follow the link:www.jewsforjesus.org
--
GOD Bless!!!
Word
Here is the link to my full Blog Entry:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=362504781&blogId=520981020
Festivals Of Light...
Note: I have not researched what he had said reguarding the switch of
the two stories. By no means am I saying he is wrong. He probably is
much more educated then myself. But I just don't know if the "legend"
was intended as a cover up. (For all I know it may have been) but only
because I haven't researched it for myself I am making this
commentary. i I always believe when challenging anything we must make
sure we are accurate and not just debating off of speculation. (Which
I have no doubt the writer has made sure probably knows things I
don't). Again it is only because I have not researched it. -Word
Now Let Us Begin...
Festival Of Light
By David Brickner
December 1, 2009
December's landscape is dominated by the artistry of light. In cities
and suburbs, from store windows to neighborhoods strung with holiday
decor, the beauty and attraction of light is wonderfully inescapable,
inviting all to embrace the festive mood. Would that those lights
might point beyond their own beauty to the deeper significance found
in God, who alone is Light.
Why do we find these festival lights so attractive? Scientists have
tried to explain the complex phenomenon of light through the language
of physics, relying on quantum theory, wave theory, etc. Fortunately,
we don't need to comprehend all the properties of light in order to
receive the benefit of its beauty. So it is with God.
I grew up in Boston where our family made annual pilgrimages to view
the December lights on display in the windows of Filene's basement. I
also remember staring in wonder at the flickering candlelights of the
Hanukkah menorah. I didn't need to understand the physics of light to
enjoy their beauty.
We can enjoy holiday lights for their simple beauty but we can also
allow them to point us to a deeper meaning and a far deeper beauty.
"Hanukkah" actually means dedication. It is more commonly known as the
Festival of Lights because of the well-known tradition of lighting the
nine-branch candelabra?called a menorah or Hanukkiah?every night of
the eight-day festival. According to tradition, the lights of the
menorah are to remind us of a miracle that occurred during the second
century B.C.
The Syrian ruler, Antiochus had captured Jerusalem and defiled the
Temple. Though vastly outnumbered, Jewish warriors known as Maccabees
recaptured the city and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem, hence the
name Hanukkah. According to legend, when they went to rededicate the
Temple they only had enough sanctified oil to light the seven-branch
menorah in that Temple for one day. They would need more time to make
and sanctify enough oil to keep the menorah lit, but they were zealous
to dedicate the Temple and did not want to wait. And so, according to
legend, one day's worth of oil lasted for eight days, enough time for
more oil to be made and sanctified for use in the Temple. That is why,
according to tradition, the festival lasts for eight days.
Notice that I referred to this traditional story as a legend as
opposed to a historical event that can be verified. What we do know is
that when the Jewish people recaptured the Temple, the most recent
Jewish holiday to have passed was the Festival of Tabernacles. That
great festival was detailed in the Law of Moses. It was to be
celebrated for eight days with many sacrifices offered at the Temple
in Jerusalem. The Syrians had made it impossible to observe that
holiday in its proper time. So it seems that Jewish leaders called for
a Tabernacles celebration?albeit a bit late?to celebrate the great
victory over the foreign oppressors. Over the years, that victory
celebration became a festival in its own right, and retained certain
characteristics from the celebration of Tabernacles.
During the times of the second Temple, the Festival of Tabernacles was
especially known for its marvelous illumination ceremony. Beginning on
the second night of the festival and continuing for each subsequent
evening, the court of the women in the Temple was set aglow by four
giant candelabras, each one some 73 feet tall.
The rabbinic commentary called the Mishna tells us "there was no
courtyard in Jerusalem not illuminated by the light?" and "he who has
not beheld this celebration has never seen joy?" (Sukkah 5.1)
Within the context of this very celebration, Y'shua (Jesus) declared,
"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). Weeks later, He was
in the Temple once more. It was Hanukkah (John 10:22) when Jesus
announced, "I and my Father are one" (verse 30).
I find it amazing that Jesus chose these two festivals to make such
bold Messianic claims. He certainly did not "hide His light under a
bushel." After all, according to the prophet Isaiah, light was to be
one of the dominant characteristics of the ministry of Messiah who was
to come (Isaiah 49:6). just as Simeon recognized when he held the baby
in his arms, calling Jesus "A light to bring revelation to the
Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel" (Luke 2:32).
The celebrations of Hanukkah and Messiah's birth are both Festivals of
Light pointing to the Light of the World, Jesus. Surely, he who has
not beheld that light has never seen true joy. And therein lies the
challenge for us today. It is our privilege and responsibility to
shine His light at all times, especially in this festive season. I
find it compelling that the apostle Paul, when he gave testimony
before King Agrippa, actually understood his own calling to proclaim
the gospel as part of the fulfillment of the Messianic hope to bring
light to the Gentiles.(Acts 26:16-18)
Likewise, the One who declared, "I am the Light of the world," also
told us, "You are the light of the world" (Mathew 5:14)[emphasis
ours]). Even though we are not the light in the same way Jesus is the
light, every time we make Him known we share that function with Him,
spreading His joy.
This month as we admire the lights on display, we can remark to any
who will listen how the beauty of those lights reminds us of the One
who truly is the Light of the world.
When Jewish people light the menorah for Hanukkah, each night we use
the ninth candle, called the Shamash or servant candle, to light the
others. We are told to place our menorah in a window so that all might
see our faith and hope at this Festival of Lights. What a beautiful
picture that paints of God's Shamash, our servant Messiah, Y'shua, who
has provided the light we share with others. In this festival season
let us also remember to place Him prominently in the window of our
lives so that all may see our faith and hope as well. "In Him was life
and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4).
Follow the link:www.jewsforjesus.org
--
GOD Bless!!!
Word
Comments