It was a victory. A small group of Jewish men stood up to the violent oppression of a powerful king who had imposed mandatory idol worship and defiled the Temple – and the revolutionaries prevailed.
The Temple had been defiled. Jewish hearts were eager to purify it and present it acceptable to their Holy God. But there was only enough undefiled oil in the Temple to last a single day. God intervened to provide eight days of light from one day’s oil until more could be made and consecrated. This is the Chanukah (HKHAH-noo-kah) story.
It was a miracle. God intervened to provide eight days of light from oil that only enough to burn one day.
Chanukah is also called the Festival of Lights, and, as we see in John chapter 10, Yeshua (Jesus) Himself observed it. The Light of the World celebrated the Festival of Light. The flame of the chanukiah’s Servant Candle reflected in the eyes of the Suffering Servant Himself.
On this first night of Chanukah, we celebrate the marvelous light given at the Temple rededication and the Light Himself – Yeshua Messiah – given for each one of us. Through Him, we have peace with God and eternal life. Amen!
Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings – 1st Night
Place a candle in the far right holder of your chanukiah. As you light the Servant Candle (Shamash), recite the first night’s 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
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 Servant Candle, light the first Chanukah candle. Return the Shamash to its place. Let the candles go out on their own, and they should burn for at least half an hour.
Scripture Readings
“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 TLV).
“The people sitting in darkness have seen a great light, and those sitting in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned (Matthew 4:16 TLV).
“As light I have come into the world so that everyone who trusts in Me should not remain in darkness” (John 12:46 TLV).
Prayer
Father of lights, thank You for sending Yeshua, the Light of the World, to illuminate our darkness and free us from life without You. God, You are light, and You have taken us out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Thank You for Your power displayed through miracles in ancient days and through Your love in our hearts, as You have given us new life in Messiah Yeshua.
(See also, James 1:17, Psalm 18:28, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:17.)
