On this first night of Chanukah, we remember God’s miraculous provision of light.
Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings – 1st Night
Place a candle in the far-right holder of your chanukiah. As you light the Shamash, or Servant Candle, recite the first night’s Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings:
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and has given us Yeshua the Messiah, the Light of the World.
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.
Candle Lighting
Using the Shamash, light the first Chanukah candle. Return it to its place. Let the candles go out on their own. They should burn for a least half an hour.
Devotion
The Jewish people had been living in dark days. They’d been persecuted and murdered for refusing to renounce the one true God, and His holy Temple had been violated. It was defiled with a statue of Zeus, desecrated by the sacrifice of a pig, and its sanctified elements and resources were vandalized. No warm glow came from the Temple menorah. The lampstand stood darkened.
As the Jewish people set things in order for the Lord’s Temple, they found only enough oil to burn one night in the menorah. It would take eight days to produce more. But they couldn’t stand the thought of Adonai’s Temple remaining darkened any longer by the evil done to it. They wanted to rededicate this holy sanctuary to the Lord. So, they lit the menorah – and God provided light for all eight nights.
When the time was right in history, God sent His promised Messiah into a world darkened by sin. At Chanukah, we remember Yeshua (Jesus), “the Light of the World,” who came to deliver us from bondage to sin and give us His eternal light and life.
From the Lord’s Word
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. ––Isaiah 9:2 NIV (also Matthew 4:16)
Yeshua spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ––John 8:12
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ––John 1:4
“As light I have come into the world, so that everyone who trusts in Me should not remain in darkness.” ––John 12:46
Prayer
Yeshua, Light of the World, thank You for coming to be our salvation from sin. Thank You for Your light, shining with hope and goodness. O, how we need Your light. In a world that seems to grow darker by the day, we rejoice in the light of Your truth and the life You have given us. We praise You, Lord, and thank You for Your presence with us always.
