It's a special time of year for me.
I love celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas. My approach to the season might be a little different than most. But hey, I love to see how people celebrate things and why they do it. So in the interest of sharing culture and belief, let me proceed.
Oh, Hanukkah. The Feast of Dedication that Jesus ,himself celebrated in John chapter 10. A special day that not only celebrates the Maccabees victory over oppression, but truly a celebration of a special miracle that God gave them.
The bravery of the faithful Jews against Antiochus Epiphenese was astounding.
It's not the sort of story that produces warm, fuzzy feelings of peace and harmony. Rather, it's an account of men that were loyal to God in spite of horrifying circumstances. It has always inspired me.
Could I stay faithful to God if the government murdered my children simply because they're Jewish?
Could I reject the pressure to worship idols, or give into other pagan cultural practices?
Would I obey God, even if I was tortured, driven from my home and had to live in a cave to survive?
This is why, the way the Maccabees lived their life, is so inspiring. They lived in a time when God said one thing, and the world demanded the opposite of them. Instead of recanting, and giving into the pressure to conform, they fought for the right to exist. Against incredible odds, God gave them victory. And what was Judah Maccabee's first act? To rededicate the temple to Yahweh. But, they didn't have the resources to do it properly. God showed up and gave them a miracle.
That level of loyalty, dedication, and bravery is something to be honored. Every time I watch my husband light the menorah, I'm reminded that like the Maccabees, my children face (albeit not as immediate) threat. The Enemy hates that my children are growing up in a home loyal to Yahweh. He will set every trap to get them to turn away from the truth. He will do everything he can to discourage them from obeying the Lord. And as I reflect in the candlelight , I whisper a prayer. As this world grows darker, may my children shine brighter. May they have the courage of men like Mattathias, and Judah , that will not only stand firm in the Lord, but be willing to fight for the right to obey God.
This kind of zeal can only come from great love. That is my greatest prayer for my children. Would, that they love the Lord with such a passionate and burning fire that not even oppression could douse the flames.
In this, I recognize a heavy responsibility. I must desire the Lord, and love His ways with that same passion. Where else would my children see it lived out, if not in their mother?
Even in the midst of candle light, and prayers. My heart breaks for Jews in other parts of the world. This year alone, Jews have faced horrific persecution during Hanukkah. But the legacy of bravery will live on. We will never stop being who we are.
We have a legacy worth keeping, and passing on for the next generation.
Not just to light candles, and remember brave people from long ago.... No. But, at the heart of the legacy we pass on is to simply be brave. To dedicate ourselves, a living sacrifice. To pursue holiness because we love the Lord, deeply. That is what we pass on, if we have the courage to do it.
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