Hanukkah 101: An Introduction for Christians

You may have heard that many Christians celebrate Hanukkah. Although it’s most commonly known as a Jewish holiday, Hanukkah is relevant to the Christian faith. Aside from Jesus himself celebrating Hanukkah in the bible (John 10:22-23), the themes and story behind Hanukkah are reasons for every Christian to celebrate – the power and faithfulness of our God. As grafted in children of God, we can embrace this holiday as part of our history and tradition, just as Jesus did.

History

The Jewish people were under Syrian Hellenistic rule between the Old and New Testaments, around 165 BC. Antiochus IV was the leader of the Seleucid Empire at the time. Under his control, Jewish traditions were outlawed, including Sabbath keeping, adherence to a Kosher diet, and circumcision. Idols were set up in the Temple, and pigs were rumored to have been sacrificed on the Temple altar. Among the punishments for observance of Jewish traditions were death and torture.

Rather than face brutal punishment, many Jews assimilated with Hellenistic culture. Some evaded their Syrian leaders by hiding in the hills and caves of Judea. A small number of Jews led by Judah Maccabee decided to revolt. Despite the overwhelming opposition, they courageously stood up for their God, His Word, and His Temple. They were miraculously victorious despite being vastly outnumbered!

After the battles, the Jewish people removed the idols from the Temple and put the menorah back in place. But when they went to light the menorah, only one day’s worth of oil was left, and making more was an 8-day process. The story goes that one day’s worth of oil continued to burn for eight days until new oil was ready for use, another Hanukkah miracle.

History vs. Tradition

The story of the Maccabean revolt is found in the books of the Maccabees. These writings are not included in the Protestant bible, but the writings of the historian Josephus support the oppression of the Jewish people and the outcome of the revolt.

The traditional part of the story is the part about the oil. This story isn’t recorded in the books of the Maccabees or other historical sources but in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b), the written form of the Oral Torah. It’s been passed down by Jewish people for thousands of years and is the miracle that’s the focus of the celebration of Hanukkah.

Jesus and Hanukkah

We find Jesus at the Temple during the celebration of Hanukkah, or the Feast of Dedication, in the book of John, verses 10:22-23. Many people traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem during Hanukkah, as with many biblical holidays. Jesus is also shown visiting the Temple and walking through Solomon’s portico during the festival of Hanukkah in the Book of John.

At this time, Jews gathered around him and asked him to tell them if he was the Messiah. He replied that he already had, as well as performed works in God’s name but that they didn’t believe him. They were expecting the Messiah to save them from Roman rule, but Jesus said he was there to offer them eternal life instead. He said that he and God are one, and they attempted to stone him because they didn’t believe his claim and thought him blasphemous. Nonetheless, it was during Hanukkah that he chose to reveal his deity.

Why Some Christians Celebrate

Usually, the Christians that celebrate Hanukkah are either in a household of mixed faith (Jewish and Christian) or lean toward the beliefs of the Hebrew Roots Movement. Here are a few different reasons for Christian Hanukkah observation.

• Alternative to Christmas

Some Christians have an issue celebrating Christmas as a Holy day for God because there is no mention of it in the bible. Moreover, the pagan roots and traditions woven throughout the Christmas holiday call into question whether the followers of God should be engaging in the holiday. More and more Christians are finding biblical meaning in celebrating Jesus’s coming to Earth by celebrating Sukkot or Hanukkah instead.

• Jesus did

Many feel that Jesus’s Jewish culture and appearance at the Temple during Hanukkah show that he celebrated Hanukkah himself. They also see his declaration that he and God are one during Hanukkah as a sign that we are to re-dedicate ourselves to God through him.

• To celebrate a historical event where God’s Glory was shown

Although we can (and should!) celebrate God’s Glory and faithfulness every day, Hanukkah celebrates a time when His Glory was shown, and His promise kept in a specific and miraculous way.

• To celebrate a victory of God’s people

When God seeks to accomplish what we see as impossible, He can and will do just that. During Hanukkah, He showed He brought victory to His people as they were outnumbered and stood against a powerful, experienced army. God’s power is a theme throughout the bible as God’s miracles point to Him and His omnipotence because they occur under circumstances that would otherwise make them impossible. This theme also runs through the book of Esther, which is what the celebration of Purim is about.

• To celebrate the re-dedication of themselves (temples) upon indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Paul tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our savior, his blood cleanses us of our sin, and we re-dedicate our lives to following him. His Spirit can then live in us, the purified and re-dedicated temples.

Common Hanukkah Traditions

• Lighting of the Hanukkiah

The menorah used during the celebration of Hanukkah isn’t the same as the one used in the Temple, which has seven branches. For Hanukkah, the menorah used is called a Hanukkiah and has nine branches, with eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, and one candle to light the others, called the Shamash.  

• Foods

Traditional foods served during Hanukkah are those cooked in oil. Potato pancakes called latkes, and a type of jelly doughnut called sufganiyot are two popular Hanukkah dishes.

• Gift-giving

Gift-giving is a primarily American Hanukkah tradition, probably due to the Hanukkah and Christmas seasons often overlapping. While some families give gifts during Hanukkah, this practice has no biblical or historical tradition. Many families give one gift for each night of Hanukkah, and some hide them as a challenge to the recipients.

• The Dreidel Game

Although it’s been around for centuries, this game is so much fun! I’ve heard a few theories about why and how this game started, but it most likely has little historical significance. It’s a simple game, but kids and adults can get into it despite its simplicity! You’ll need a dreidel and something to use as tokens or chips to play. Many people use chocolate coins (gelt), but our family has used everything from pennies to M&Ms. 

Here’s how to play:
Give each player 10-15 coins or whatever you use as tokens.
Each player puts one coin into the middle, the “pot.”
Each player takes a turn spinning the dreidel. Whichever side is face-up when the dreidel stops will determine whether the player that spun it puts coins into or takes coins from the pot.
Gimmel (ג): Take all of the coins in the pot.
Hey (ה): Take 1/2 of the coins in the pot. If there’s an odd number of coins, take 1/2 plus 1.
Shin (שׁ): Put one coin into the pot. Rolling a shin sometimes prompts the rhyme “Shin, shin, put one in!” from the other players.
Nun (נ) The player gets nothing, and the turn goes to the next player.
If you run out of coins, you’re out. The winner is the one with all the coins at the end of the game.

Should You Celebrate Hanukkah?

I know dedicated Christians on both sides of this conversation. Most don’t celebrate Hanukkah, but some do and say that it’s a tradition that enriches their Christian faith. If you’re wondering if you should celebrate it, the first step should be to pray. Ask God any time you add or dispose of traditions that relate to your faith and how He would like for you to go about doing that. Whether your traditions are Godly or worldly or motivated by your desire to give glory to Him or yourself will be reflected in those traditions, so choose carefully and prayerfully which and how you take part.

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or not, make sure the main themes of Hanukkah are evident in your faith and your life. God keeps His promises by protecting His people, and His ability and willingness to show His power through miracles should cause us to give all praise and glory to Him!

Happy Hanukkah!