At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem.
It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
John 10:22-23
This is the first full day of the eight which celebrate the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago, and the miraculous provision of oil for the lamp within. Today candles are used in the menorah, with one for each of the eight days, along with the helper used to light them. Traditionally Hanukkah hasn't been a major Jewish celebration, although it has become more popular as a counter to the dominance of Christmas.
This year some Jews are intentionally employing the theme of light in the darkness as a metaphor of hope in the midst of the gloom of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. Globally, 2020 hasn't served up much in the way of good news, but Jewish communities across the country have been getting creative in their celebrations. There are Zoom family gatherings, and the Calgary public library system is offering "Hanukkah at Home" book and craft packages. In Whitby there will be a parade of vehicles to mark the occasion.
While we are Christians, we have participated in Hanukkah, after a fashion, for decades. We're not trying to appropriate the celebration but appreciate the themes. We light our menorah candles.eat latkes, and now read Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins with our grandchildren, as we did with our kids when they were young.
We can remember that Jesus was a Jew and when he went to the temple for the Feast of Dedication, as mentioned in John's gospel, that was Hanukkah.
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