Festival of Lights - Gifts

There is nothing quite like the light in a child’s eyes when they receive a gift. Something about a package wrapped up in colorful paper and bows makes the WHOLE experience that much more special.

Many of us have gifts on our minds as we prepare for Christmas! Our Christmas shopping is nearly finished!

But this year, we decided to add Hanukkah to our December celebrations I started to consider what that might do to my wallet.

As I looked through our DaysUnited Hanukkah guide, I realized began to realize that there wasn’t any 8 days of presents, no step by step guide on how to buy, build, or make 8 Hanukkah gifts. The greatest mention of gift giving in our Hanukkah celebration was that our subscription box came with cute little pastry boxes to put the homemade sufganiyot (jelly filled donuts) in and give to friends.

I remember thinking as a child now ‘unfair’ it was that I had to wait until December the 25th to get presents and only on ONE DAY! But the Jewish kids (I don’t remember if I knew any personally) got to get presents for 8 WHOLE DAYS!!!

I did a little digging and found out that gift giving is NOT traditionally part of Hanukkah. The traditional gift giving holidays in the Jewish calendar include Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year celebrated in the Fall) and Passover (Exodus story celebrated in the Spring).

As it turns out, gift giving during Hanukkah is an American or ‘Western’ addition to the celebration. When a primarily Christian nation prepares for its MAJOR gift giving Holiday of Christmas the American Jewish families were perhaps feeling a little left out. So, without forsaking their own religious celebrations, they “added” gift giving to the Hanukkah celebrations. They’re certainly not going to begin celebrating Christmas, the day dedicated to remembering the birth of Jesus! Remember, the Jews do not believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah. ((*disclaimer - I am not criticizing my Jewish brothers and sisters. I am simply highlighting the distinctions between the religions and their celebrations.*))

The giving of gifts is NOT a traditional or significant part of Hanukkah, as with Christmas (contrary to popular belief)

However, I believe we could agree that BOTH holidays celebrate the goodness of God. Both holidays celebrate a miracle from Heaven. Hanukkah celebrates the provision and promise of God in the oil, and Christmas celebrates the provision and promise of a Savior. Both Hanukkah and Christmas celebrate the gifts given from God to His people.

The greatest gift ever given is, was, and always will be Jesus Messiah. There is no gift more significant than the shed blood of the Lamb for the forgiveness of sins.

You can give that most excellent gift every day! Share the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. Many are looking for a present, or toy, or thing to fill a need in their souls only to discover that the “thing” didn’t satisfy. Sharing the gift of Jesus is the best thing you can offer someone in any season or stage of life. Offering the gift of freedom, and reconciliation, and peace, and joy, and relationship, and purpose, and design, abundant life, healing, restoration, and salvation is a gift that is never out of season. You don’t have to wait for a holiday or birthday to offer someone the greatest gift ever!

AND it’s not tacky to REGIFT!! In fact, THATS THE POINT!!

Give the gift of Jesus today, tomorrow, and every day.