THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS AND STARS

Saturday, December 1, 2018

December is known for two major holidays linked to biblical times - Christmas and Chanukah. Are they connected?
It is commonly believed that Chanukah is the Jewish Christmas - namely because on both holidays, parents give presents to their children. But this connection is a relatively recent one. It was only in modern times that the celebration of Chanukah began to resemble that of Christmas.
But there are deeper connections. Both holidays take place on the 25th day of the month, Christmas on the 25th of December, and Chanukah on the 25th of Kislev. The reason Chanukah is celebrated on the 25th day of the month is that it marks the day when the Syrian Greeks offered up pagan sacrifices defiling the Temple of God. So the Jewish people restored their temple on the same exact day - the 25th day of the month. So too, Christmas was celebrated on the 25th day of the month to replace the pagan celebration of Saturnalia.
But the most important connections between the two holidays is found in the spiritual realm. Both holidays take place during the season of darkness, when days are shortest and the nights longest. Each holiday has to do with light. Christmas is marked by the light of the star of Bethlehem. Chanukah involves the light of the Menorah, the 9 branch lampstand that stood inside inner sanctums.
But even this connection goes deeper. Christmas is about a greater light than the star of Bethlehem - the light of Messiah coming into the world. Likewise, Chanukah is about a greater light than that of the menorah, the light of God shining in His people and enabling them to undo the forces of darkness.
Beyond that, each holiday is not only about light, but specifically about light shining in the darkness - the star of Bethlehem shining in the darkness of the night, the light of the angels shining in the darkness of the shepherd's field, the light of the menorah shining at night, the light of God causing His people to overcome the darkness of the world. And Messiah, the Light of the World, shining in and against the darkness.
So it is appropriate that both holidays take place at the darkest time of the year, as it is then that the presence of light means the most.
This season of lights and stars hold a critical and powerful message. We have been witnessing the advance of darkness within our culture, the increase of evil, the great apostasy foretold in biblical prophecy. But what does this season and its days reveal to us? If the world is growing darker, then we as the people of God, and you as a person of God must resolve to shine increasingly brighter.
It's a challenge to be a candle in the night - it means going against the flow of the world. But how much more glorious and powerful is that candle in the night! It lights up the world around it.
This month, resolve, commit to, and pray for God to anoint you to stand strong and bold, with no compromise, full of resolve and zeal, shining yet brighter and blazing to the world with the light, the truth, and the love of God. And may God greatly bless you as you do!
Your brother and co-laborer
in His love and service,

Jonathan

See Message: Starlight