So it’s the first night of Chanukah, and I decided to give you a quick post on…

…the Jewish Christmas!!

>not!<



In fact it’s the complete opposite. It just happens to be around the same time.

See for Christmas, there’s a lot of receiving… and there’s a lot of giving, too. But it’s obligatory giving. It’s the time where people are expected to give, and the people giving expect to receive just as much. It’s the time where kids makes lists of things they want (not need), can’t believe they didn’t get that *one thing* on their list, even though the kid next store did, and so on. Is that really what giving is all about? Aren’t we supposed to love people so much, it doesn’t matter what we get in return–if anything? Just giving freely because you want to, and not even thinking about getting anything in return is loyalty, love, dedication…

And dedication… that’s what Chanukah is about.

It started with the Maccabees taking a stand against hellenism. A group of rebels that defied the man-made powers of the government. The didn’t just live in the “now” and assimilate. They saw the future of their people and were willing to give their lives for it. They gave. They were dedicated and determined. Could you ask for a more humble, more true way to give? The put their trust in God and knew He would see them through.

And since our lives are always filled with renewal… the same had to happen after the Maccabees defeating Antiochus. See, it wasn’t just a battle between Jews and Greeks. It was a battle between good and evil. Between the holy and the profane. The Greeks didn’t just create laws that denied the Jewish people their right to observe the Torah and its statutes. The literally profaned the Torah, prevented the people from observing the Torah even if they tried, and humiliated and brutally murdered those that did try. On top of that the Greeks desecrated the holy temple and the altar by sacrificing the most unholy emblem of despicableness atop the altar–a pig. So following the Greeks’ defeat, the temple and its objects had to be restored—-rededicated, or made holy again. This is where the story of Chanukah comes in.

One of the final things that had to be done for the temple was lighting the menorah. However, only one vile of the oil was found, enough to last one day–and this wasn’t just ordinary olive oil–it had to be pure and sanctified, like the temple it would give light to. Well one day would have been better than none, so they lit the menorah and set to work on the eight-day process of getting the new oil. However, the legend is, for the whole eight days, the menorah miraculously remained lit until more oil was made.

But that’s not really the real miracle. Take a look at the amount of perseverance and strength it must have taken for the Maccabees had to stand against the Greeks, defeat them, rebuild the temple, restore its furnishing, and rededicate a desecrated land and people. That is where the true miracle lies. Chanukah’s not about the presents for eight days, or the blue and white lights… and it’s not just for the Jewish people. It’s for all who choose to celebrate life. Chanukah is about you. It’s a story of a fight for truth and holiness, fueled by faith, love, and dedication.

Oh and here’s an iPhone wallpaper for ya. Merry christmas.

JUST KIDDING!