One of my favorite things to do during Chanukah is taking a walk in the “older’ neighborhoods of Jerusalem. One of the customs is to put the Chanukah lights in a place where it is visible to those who pass by. Many people put their candles in the window sill. But when you go around the streets of Jerusalem you’ll see lots of little glass boxes with a menorah in it. The boxes are put on the low stone walls that surround the apartment buildings where many people live. Putting your lights outside makes them visible. The glass boxes prevent the wind from blowing out the lights. For eight nights the special menorah is lit. Each day another candle is added. Every day there is more light.
Scripture indicates that also the Lord Jesus celebrated this special holiday when we remember the provision of God after the temple was desecrated and rededicated.
Then came the Festival of Dedication[b] at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. John 10:22-23
The miracle of Chanukah was that there was enough oil for a whole week, the time it took to prepare more oil. The menorah in the temple could stay lit. There was light. And light is what we are showing the world.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:14-15
We are also in the season of Advent. Each Sunday leading up to Christmas we add another candle. Each week there is more light. And also at Christmas we celebrate the provision of God. It is the miracle of Jesus, the Light of the World who came to set us free from all Darkness forever and ever.
And just as we put our Chanukah candles in a place where those around us can see the lights. The Lord Jesus encourages us to make His light be seen.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
How can you show shine your light in this season and show the world that the Lord always, always provides? What are the good things in your life that glorify our Father in heaven? How do you celebrate this season of light?
“Father God, we thank you for your miracles. Thank you for always providing. We ask you that you show us how we can shine you light and see your name glorified. Thank you for the miracle of Chanukah.”
This article originally appeared on CBN Israel, November 27, 2018, and reposted with permission.