This event was held at the Hanahan Amphitheater last weekend. A bunch of Christian rock groups from mostly Southeastern states entertained the public from 11am in the morning to 11pm that evening. Folks had also set up booths and tents offering merchandise and counseling/prayer, and there were also fun activities for the kids. Great family friendly stuff and everyone had a good time.
I understand that this may sound a little different to Jews and Christians alike, but for our family, the celebration of Hanukkah has been a sweet time as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. Why would Christians not celebrate miracles that God performed in the outworking of his everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants? After all, God promised that through Abraham all the nations would be blessed. Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabees’ victory over the Greeks and the rededication of the temple in 165BC. We remember the miracle of how God caused the eternal flame to burn for 8 days on one day’s worth of oil, hence the menorah with 8 candles plus the shamash candle which is used to light the others.
It feels proper to talk about these things and teach the children about their spiritual heritage as God’s chosen people. Of course this would not be possible without the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with man. We believe that He is the Messiah, sent to reconcile God to man, Jew to gentile, man to man. In John 10:22 we are told that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah, also called the Feast of Dedication.
In a world of chaos and mistrust, we choose to focus on the Prince of Peace, the only one who will judge rightly and establish order on earth. In His time.
They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. Romans 9:4-8
