Hanukkah and Christmas: A link through history and faith
This year, two great holidays fall on the same day, Hanukkah and Christmas. What you may not know is that without Hanukkah, there would be no Christmas. Let me explain.
Like Christmas, Hanukkah is a holiday that is rooted in tradition, and it may be difficult to sort out the legends we cherish from the real miracles that happened. The relationship between Hanukkah and Christmas, while rooted in distinct religious traditions, illuminates a profound link between the Jewish people and the protection of the Messiah. Both holidays, celebrated around the same time of year, highlight themes of light, hope, and divine intervention.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Syrian king Antiochus who forced Jews to abandon their culture and religion. He prevented them from worshiping in the Temple, in fact, he ordered the conversion of the Temple into a place of worship for Zeus, erected idols in the holy place, and sacrificed a pig on the altar. The Jewish people were completely defeated and demoralized until a small band of soldiers known as the Maccabees reignited their hope. The Temple and Jerusalem were miraculously retaken by these warriors in three years.
The holiday also celebrates the miraculous provision of oil, which burned for eight days despite there being only enough for one day. This miracle is seen as a symbol of God's enduring presence and support for the Jewish people.
Throughout history, many enemies have attempted to annihilate the Jews, but God has always preserved a remnant. The rededication of the Temple during Hanukkah served as a reminder of God's ability to fulfill His promises and protect His people. Israel's distinctive identity would have been compromised, and God's sacred promises would have been disregarded had Antiochus prevailed. If Antiochus had succeeded, there would have been no discernible Jewish culture for Yeshua (Jesus) to be born into. Without Hanukkah, there would be no Christmas.
If you doubt God's saving power in your life, recall Hanukkah and how the small band of soldiers triumphed against all odds. God protects all who trust in Him, Jews and Gentiles, like He did Israel. He keeps His promises, even when we fail to recognize it. He said through the prophet Isaiah,
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) And again, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Both Hanukkah and Christmas celebrate light and hope. Hanukkah's menorah symbolizes the light of faith enduring through adversity, while the nativity scene and star signify the light of the world coming in the form of Yeshua. This shared symbolism underscores the continuity of God's light, guiding and protecting His people through different epochs.
While Hanukkah and Christmas emerge from different religious traditions, they share a profound link through their themes of divine intervention, light, and the protection of the Jewish people, who played an integral role in the advent of the Messiah. Understanding this connection enriches the appreciation of both holidays and the historical and theological bonds that unite them. These celebrations remind us of the enduring legacy of faith, hope, and divine promise that transcends time and continues to inspire believers around the world.
Dr. Bryan Moselle received his PhD in Hebrew Bible from the University of Pretoria, ThM in Hebrew Bible and Semitics from Biola University. He is the senior pastor of University Bible Church in Los Angeles, California, a military chaplain, and previously worked in international disaster relief throughout Africa.
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