As the sun descended below the horizon last night, the Feast of Dedication began. Though it is only referenced once in the New Testament, the commemoration has been observed annually, beginning more than 160 years before Christ’s birth. The Gospel of John informs us Jesus participated in the remembrance: “At the 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).”
The Feast of Dedication is better known to contemporary audiences as Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights. It is the remembrance of the temple’s rededication following the Maccabean revolt against the Greco-Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes’ desecration of the temple. During the uprising, only enough oil was present to light the temple’s eternal flame of God for one night, yet the miraculous presence of God ensured the flame remained illuminated for eight days. The festival, therefore, lasts for eight nights.
It should come as no surprise that John mentions Jesus at the Dedication. Jesus’ Jewish identity and his pious faith pilgrimages to the temple are included throughout John. One interesting note about this reference at the Dedication, however, is that the immediately following verse is the only place where the Jewish leaders directly ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. Perhaps John does this intentionally. After all, the Gospel’s overarching theme is Jesus is the light of the world. How appropriate to recognize the true light, the Messiah, during the Festival of Lights.
This Sunday, December 13th, the Gospel message tells us, “there was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came to witness to the light so that all may believe through him. (John 1:6-7).” Please join us for our outdoor drive-in worship for the Third Sunday of Advent at 10:30 AM. Amid the Festival of Lights, we will celebrate with anticipation and joy “the true light, which enlightens everyone, … coming into the world (John 1:9).”