In these days I am experiencing how Chanukah is celebrated in Jerusalem.
Chanukah in Hebrew means “dedication” and it is a festival of lights which is always celebrated in the winter. It is not mentioned in the Torah, but belongs to the historic memorial days of the Jewish people.
During eight days a candle is lighted every evening in a special candlestick. In this Chanukiah (the candlestick) there must be eight candles and an extra candle for lightning the others. The extra candle is called Shamash, the serving light.
At this light-seance the Jewish people commemorate how the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BC was purified and rededicated after having been desecrated by the Greek occupation. The feast lasts for eight days due to the miracle with the oil that had to be used for the candlestick in the temple during the rededication. Usually the oil was only able to last for a day, but it lasted for eight days.
In addition to commemorating the rededication of the temple the Jewish people also celebrates the liberation from the Greeks, a dark period in Jewish history.
Chanukah is also celebrated by many Messianic Jews who at the light-seance think of Jesus as he called himself the light of the world. The festival of lights reminds them that Jesus is the ultimate liberator – the liberator from this, at times, dark world that we’re still living in.
Thursday we celebrated both Chanukah and Christmas in King of Kings.
And yesterday, at the service in King of Kings, Jesus was indeed celebrated with a visit from the US, Eddie James and young former drug addicts, alcoholics, etc. from an organization he founded. They created an amazing party for Jesus with their singing, dancing and passion. A wonderful experience!
Listen to their ending prayer to God:
Israel experienced by Heidi 