As Bible-loving believers, we cherish the deep roots of our faith in the story of Israel. One of the most beautiful connections occurs during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, a celebration rich with meaning for followers of Jesus. Though not one of the biblical feasts of Leviticus, Hanukkah—also known as the Feast of Dedication—commemorates God’s faithfulness to His people in a dark hour and provides a powerful picture of perseverance, rededication, and miraculous light.
Hanukkah dates back to the second century B.C., during a period of intense persecution under the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus outlawed Jewish worship, desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by sacrificing a pig on the altar, and attempted to force the people of Israel to abandon their covenant with God.
In response, a small group of Jewish freedom fighters known as the Maccabees rose up in defiance. Against overwhelming odds, they defeated Antiochus’s armies, reclaimed Jerusalem, and purified the Temple. When the priests sought to rekindle the menorah—the lampstand that represented God’s presence—they found only enough consecrated oil for one day. Yet, according to tradition, that small amount miraculously burned for eight days, long enough to prepare more oil. Hanukkah celebrates this miracle of light and the rededication of God’s house.
For Christians, Hanukkah carries added significance because Jesus Himself is recorded as celebrating it. In John 10:22–23, we read:
“Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.”
Jesus’ presence at the Temple during Hanukkah affirms the festival’s importance in Jewish life and highlights His identity as the true Light in the Temple of God (John 8:12). During this feast—centered on light, deliverance, and rededication—Jesus spoke some of His clearest words about being the Good Shepherd who gives eternal life.
Hanukkah’s themes of liberation and divine providence echoed again in modern history. On December 11, 1917, during Hanukkah week, General Edmund Allenby of the British Army entered Jerusalem after the Ottoman Empire surrendered the city in World War I. In a striking act of humility, Allenby dismounted his horse and walked through the Jaffa Gate, saying he would not ride where his Lord and Savior had walked.
For many Christians and Jews, Allenby’s entry symbolized a moment of hope and a turning point in the restoration of the Land—a reminder that God still moves through history to bring freedom and redemption.
Hanukkah invites believers to reflect on God’s faithfulness during seasons of spiritual darkness. In the aftermath of the Bondi Beach mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration, with 15 people dead and dozens injured, we see that the fight against the light continues to rage against the Jewish people.
Jew hatred is increasingly mainstreamed among political and religious conservatives. This recent attack in Sydney, Australia, the deadliest after October 7th, comes months after the Australian PM recognized a Palestinian state. It’s arguable that the two are connected but without argument, it’s clear that in the wake of the Gaza War, Jew hatred is on the rise and its presence is widespread across political and religious spectrums.
As we celebrate this season, may the lights of Hanukkah inspire us to shine with renewed devotion, courage, and hope. Hanukkah reminds us that:
- God honors the courage of those who remain faithful.
- Rededication to God is both a personal and communal calling.
- Jesus, the Light of the World, stands in continuity with the story of Israel.
- Forces of darkness continue to seek the destruction of the Jewish people.
The ancient Maccabees fought for the light. With the help of the God of Israel, they won that battle, but the war still rages. Today, may we find courage and resolve to contend against the powers opposed to God’s covenantal purposes (2 Cor. 10:4) and leave no place for Jew hatred in our hearts, our families, our communities of faith or anywhere else.
