Chanukah - The Festival of Dedication/Lights

(What does it mean to us, the believer!?)

It is NOT just a time to eat fried foods, consume chocolate and gamble - um-er- spin the dreidel! It is not just time to light some candles and listen to somewhat lame, inadequately produced, (though increasingly creative) seasonal videos! So what is it all about then? It is not about gifts (gasp! neither is Christmas!)! Nor is simply about the fact that the Maccabees took it to the Syrians! (Though that is where it started!)

We don't need to invent reasons to celebrate this holiday which Yeshua celebrated! The fact that He celebrated it was always enough for us! The fact that He took this opportunity to reveal Himself to His followers as the "Light of the World", the Messiah of Israel, is enough. He obviously saw significance in it! Who are we then to mark it as insignificant?!

So, if it is significant to us, why is that? Perhaps, because it is another opportunity to celebrate the taking back of our earthly "temples" from the sinful flesh?! Or an opportunity to see that it is cleansed and set apart for His use and glory? Another year to work toward becoming someone with whom He would want spend eternity? Or perhaps another time of commemorating and exemplifying that He Is the Light of the World - through us!? A chance to reflect that light, His glory!

Yes, it does mark a victory for Israel, over her enemies! As if that never happens! But it also marks a great victory for anyone who has followed His Light out of darkness! It is a great victory for anyone who has ever obtained victory over any sin in their lives - by the power of His Spirit! The same Ruach Elohim that won the victory for the Maccabees!

In this wintry season, when the earth is at rest, at the time of endings, the season of things closing down, let us lift up our heads, for redemption draws near. It is asked, "When the Son of Man comes will He find faith in the earth?" Will He find those who have cleansed their temples on His behalf, from the filth of heathenism (and I am referring to deeper things than mere pork, believe me!) and who have gone to the trouble to diligently fill it with His Spirit?! Will the aroma of Truth greet His eager nostrils or will He be repulsed by the stench of deception? Will He find the Bride dressed in the White garments which He provided or looking like a Victoria's Secret model on some street corner?! Will He see His light reflected in us, or will it be lost in our deep darkness? Are we cleansed vessels, and fruitful boughs, for His pleasure? Or is there only rotting fruit soiling our gardens? Or even worse, perhaps there is only dead, dry leaves of empty works - promising life, while stealing it away?

It is winter now, but this is not the end of all things, not quite yet. There is promise of another spring, another chance at new life! But while we repose in the quiet shadows of winter we should be quietly busy; sometimes out pruning our plants, sowing our seeds, or nurturing our hot-house plantings, for future growth and profit!

And we should be quietly cleansing our temples! He is coming! The Light of the World! We can not know the hour, but we must have our lamps trimmed and ready, as the "Chanukah (dedicated) party" did in the parable of the wedding! Or will we be as the lazy ones, lounging and taking our ease, bored out of our minds waiting on Him? That depicts an eager bride, doesn't it? Even the friends of the Bride-Groom are more enthusiastic than that!

Chanukah, which is also called Dedication - for that is its Hebrew meaning, is a time when we celebrate The LIGHT! Many Hebrew people do not yet know His name - nor will they, if we who do are not properly reflecting Him! We must go into all the world and shine His Light of Love, preaching The Good News of His Anointing (Messiah)! He (Messiah, the Anointed One) - Is Light to the blind, strength to the weak, and liberty to those who are bound - He Is. And it is written, "As He is, so are we in this world"! Are we?

That is the meaning of Chanukah - Dedication! To what or whom are we dedicated? Our fruits will show the truth of that, and, also, from which direction the shadows from us are falling? He is THE Light of the world, in whom there is NO shadow... This season may His Light obliterate all our shadows, may the fire of His Holiness cleanse us once again, and may we shine purely and cleanly for him - until He comes! When He comes, may He find us cleansed, faithful and ready to greet Him!

Selah!

Chanukah Sameach!