The who reason we’ve gotten into these Jewish holiday celebrations was because of a Facebook add for Days United which is a subscription box company that specializes in holiday celebrations. They have 8 Jewish Holidays and a few Indian and Chinese holidays as well. Because of Days United we have been able to celebrate a years worth of significant Jewish Holidays with crafts, recipes to try, and an easy to understand holiday guide. The experiences have been a lot of fun and my boys get SUPER excited when they see the solid color box arrive in the mail!
This year for Hanukkah, they included these modern metal menorahs that you build and color together. We let the boys each color their own menorah and we helped assemble them. a box of candles came along with each menorah and a guide for how and when to light each one and a prayer to say during the lighting.
I admit though, I did not really know much about the menorah. I had to do a little research. Here is what I found.
There are actually two kinds of menorahs. In Exodus 25, God gives Moses the instructions on how to build the Lampstand that would be placed in the tabernacle. It was intricately designed and was to be made out of approx 65lbs of pure gold. The Lampstand in the tabernacle was to have 7 lamps. It was created to be the lighting source for the tabernacle of God.
The Hanukkah Menorah or more specifically referred to the hanukkiah has 9 lamps which represent the 8 days of the Festival of Lights (plus one “shamach” or servant light used to light the others.)
Although the distinction between the two candelabras is interesting, I am most captured by their purpose. In both cases, they are used for the purpose of light. One to light the place of worship and sacrifice in the tabernacle and later the temple. And the hanukkiah was used to celebrate the light that God provided at Hanukkah.
In my first post on Hanukkah, we looked at some major moments where light is mentioned in scripture.
In the beginning, God spoke Light into existence.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Then Jesus said, YOU are the light of the World!
Jesus tells His disciples that they(we) are the light of the world. It Matthew 5, He not only calls us the light of the world but also a city on a hill. Those things aren’t easy to hide - at least they’re not supposed to be. A light isn’t meant to be hidden. And Jesus addresses that directly in Matthew 5:15 saying, “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.“
I have to wonder if the imagery of the temple menorah came to mind when Jesus spoke of the lamp and it’s stand.
But Jesus changes the paradigm. The temple menorah was meant to light the temple where God was to be worshipped and where sacrifices were brought, and forgiveness was sought, and grace and mercy were given.
Maybe Jesus is saying that we are the light of the world so that we can be the very presence of God in the world. We can cast out the darkness and illuminate the atmosphere to the love, intimacy, grace and mercy of a loving and forgiving Father. We cannot allow our oil to run low, we MUST be prepared and stay bright so that others may experience the Love of the Father. Jesus made a way and gave us the responsibility to shed light on His goodness.
Not only are you the light of the world, but you are intricately designed for a specific purpose - to glorify God with your life.
Go shine bright. No more “this little light of mine.” Burn bright so everyone can see!
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