The Feast of Dedication

This week’s theme at I ♥ Faces is “My Story in Photos: Holiday Traditions”.

Our family celebrates Hanukkah: The Feast of Dedication also known as the Festival of Lights.

Yahshua Messiah himself observed this festival as recorded in John 10:22, “At that time, the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Yahshua was walking in the Temple in the porch of Solomon.” For me, the importance of this mention can not be overlooked.

To many Hanukkah typically brings images of dreidels, fried foods, eight nights of gifts and the “miracle” of the oil lasting eight days to mind. The Feast of Dedication entails more than this.

Hanukkah marks a great historical victory. Judas Maccabeus and his sons, zealous for the Torah, fought for the freedom to worship the one true God. Antiochus Epiphanes declared that anyone keeping Torah and YHVH’s commandments  and feasts would be killed, however there remained those precious, faithful few who fought against this oppresion.

Against seemingly impossible odds, Maccabeus and those with him, recaptured the Holy Place and rededicated it for His Glory. The recapture, re-dedication and purging of the Holy Temple from all things pagan is a picture for us to follow as we dedicate our bodies and lives to his Holy Service!

As specified in Leviticus, the Maccabees rededicated the temple in a period of eight days. Our family observes eight nights of celebration because of the eight days required by Torah for the dedication of the Holy Temple. Eight is recognized as the Biblical number of New Beginnings.

Yahshua said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world, he who follows me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Each night we kindle the lights of Hanukkah we are reminded that He is the light that conquers all darkness.

May we not be afraid to walk boldly for Him and to be a light for Him to the Nations.

If you are interested in a more detailed teaching on Hanukkah read this teaching by Project Benjamin.

Hanukkah Crafts

• It has become a tradition in our house that Mrs. Sayuri make her own Hanukkiah every year. The above photo is of last year’s. She made it out of multi-colored clay. This year we made one out of baby food jars. Very simple, but she enjoyed it.
• I also made her a felt board hanukkiah that we “lit” by placing the flames onto the candles.
• We also made a hand print hanukkiah.
• This is going on my list for next year: tissue paper hanukkiah for window – I might make this with Mrs. Sayuri but as a normal 7 branched menorah.