Here are a few things all believers in Messiah should know about Hanukkah, whether or not you choose to celebrate it.
This is not a Biblical holiday. While passages of Scripture such as Leviticus 23 give us instructions for keeping YHWH's set apart times, Hanukkah is not mentioned there. Nowhere in Scripture are we told to celebrate Hanukkah.
The nine-branch 'menorah' that is used during Hanukkah is not the lampstand of Scripture. The Creator himself specified in Exodus 25 that his menorah has seven lights. Should we be altering its design so that it doesn't follow Biblical instructions?
The story of the oil miraculously lasting eight days when the Temple was rededicated is not in the book of Maccabees. Not that it couldn't have happened, but it's important to not make claims that it is in the book when it's not.
Unlike the traditional Hanukkah blessing says, the Creator never commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. Don't teach falsities about what the Living God says.
The mention of the Messiah being at the Temple during Hanukkah in John 10 does not prove that he was celebrating or ordained what was happening. Yahusha frequently spent time with sinners - that doesn't mean he approved of everything they did.
If you read the rest of John 10 you'll see that the Messiah's presence was so poorly received during the Hanukkah festivities that the leaders tried to stone him there! Does it sound like he was taking part in what they were doing?
If you view it as a minor holiday, you should treat it as such. Don't put more effort, time, or money into Hanukkah than you would Passover, Sukkot, or the other Biblical holidays.
Many cultures have a 'Festival of Lights' around this time of year. Including the Hindu celebration of Diwali, and the Babylonian/Persian festival of Chaharshanbe Suri, which is nearly 4,000 years old.
Please keep these things in mind before celebrating this manmade holiday. If you celebrate, know the facts, and make it clear that this holiday is not something YHWH commanded us to do.
Related posts:
The Case for the Seven Branch Menorah
Why I Don't Celebrate Hanukkah
The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays
Why Hanukkah is Not a Biblical Holiday
