I Love BOTH Hanukkah AND Christmas
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“Yeshua spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.” (John 8:12, Complete Jewish Bible)
I love both Hanukkah AND Christmas!
Only in the past few years have I really understood the Feast of Hanukkah (Chanukah is another spelling in Hebrew), also known as the Festival of Lights, or Feast of Dedication. Having been raised a Christian, I considered it a Jewish celebration, for Jews only. After all, that was in the Old Testament, right? That part of the Bible is only the Jewish part of the Bible, the Old Covenant, isn’t it?
But then I had my eyes opened and my spirit enlightened, through an understanding of our Jewish roots as believers. Now knowing that Jesus was born in a Jewish family (His Hebrew name is Yeshua), the twelve Jewish apostles were Jewish, and the Bible was completely written by Jews (with only one or two Scriptural books the exception, written by Gentiles), I had a change of heart. I could celebrate Hanukkah too, just as my Messiah Yeshua did!
“Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo’s Colonnade.” (John 10:22-23, Complete Jewish Bible)
Or if you prefer the NKJV, “Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.”
There are several Messianic Jewish books and websites that completely give further understanding to this winter feast, so I won’t be trying to do that here. But just knowing that the Lord miraculously provided 8 days of oil to burn the Hanukkiah (the 9 candle stick menorah), when they only had one day’s supply of oil to begin with, shows us the provision that He gives as we trust in Him.
We can also visibly see that the main candle, called the server, is the one that each night lights the others. It fully represents the Servant Jesus Himself, Who gives us the light to pass on. I can understand that with my Gentile mind.
We actually have several Hanukkah menorahs in our home. I like our David’s Harp one the best.
Christmas is such a joyous part of the season. Though I believe Yeshua (Jesus) was actually born during the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall, I really enjoy the Christmas songs on the radio, the Christmas tree in our house, the welcoming wreath on the front door, and the fun and love shared in the giving of presents to each other. In our home, Christmas above all represents the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, who lives each day of the year as our Savior and Lord.
If the world chooses to celebrate along with us, let it be so! Let them sing “O Come O Come Emmanuel” on the secular radio station, along with “O Holy Night”. May they greet one another joyfully with “Merry Christmas”, being Christ (Christos, or Messiah) is the most joyous (merriest) one of all!
I love it when our small town of Pineville, North Carolina decorates the city streets with heavenly angels on the light poles, proclaiming the Good News with trumpets (shofars!); the silver bells hanging down, swinging in the breeze while ringing out His birth; the large Scotch pine Christmas tree, lighting up the town square, evergreen with His life and the colorful lights testifying of His love for diversity. After all, He has created so many of us, with such creativity and our different nationalities - the most multi-color that these lights represent well!
Christmas at the Martins
And of course there are the beautifully wrapped presents, delighting our grandkids, being taught how the Wise Men blessed their Savior too with good gifts, signifying their adoration and worship.
In both Hanukkah AND Christmas, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, is revealed as the Light of the World in both!
Celebrate this exciting season of love! May both Jew and Gentile understand that Hanukkah AND Christmas can be shared in our One New Man love. I for one certainly have no problem with that, and give thanks to my Lord for both.
Happy Hanukkah AND Merry Christmas, from our house to yours.
“And God bless us, everyone!”
May your days be filled with peace, joy and love.
Happy Hanukkah AND Merry Christmas!
Our ministry Christmas card - 2015
The Martin Hanukkiah fully lit in past celebration.
We love you,
Steve & Laurie Martin
Love For His People, Inc.
P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve
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Now Think On This (In the year of our Lord 11.29.15 ) #215 - “I Love Hanukkah AND Christmas” – Sunday at 4:30 pm in Charlotte, NC.
All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve
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