Below are some of our thoughts on why we keep Chanukah.
Why Do I Observe Chanukah?
C. C.
~ Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works.
~ Your body is the temple of the set-apart spirit.
~ John shall baptize you with water.... Messiah shall baptize you with the set-apart spirit.
Beings our body represents the temple of the set-apart spirit, we as part of the twelve tribes of Israel are partakers of the cleansing of the temple, allowing Yahweh's light (His Word) to come into our lives to be our guide. The lighting of the candles at Chanukah is only a very small part of our dedication to the temple of Yahweh. Our body being purified for His good pleasure is the weightier matter.
We don't have to be a Jew or a Maccabee to observe purification of Yahweh's temple. All we need to be is followers and servants of Messiah, a temple for His set-apart spirit to come upon.
Why Do We Keep Chanukah?
L. C. (age 16)
Well, in the Maccabees, Mattathias and his men were being fought against by a wicked king. He destroyed their temple, etc. After many years, however, they finally won the battle, with Yahweh's help of course. They rededicated the temple for Him again. That is symbolic of us dedicating our lives to Yahweh, as we want to do, so that is one reason why we keep it. Another reason is because it is also a remembrance of them standing up for the right.
In the temple, the lights that burned are kind of like us. The middle candle is like Yahshua, who lights our lights and lives, so that we can dedicate ourselves to Him.
Why I Keep Chanukah
R. C. (age 17)
I keep Chanukah because it is part of the heritage which became mine when I joined the olive tree of Israel. I keep it because of the Light Messiah Yahshua has kindled in my soul, both Himself and by means of other "shamash candles" He has placed in my life. I keep Chanukah because, along with all true Israelites of the past, present, and future, I have wholeheartedly dedicated myself to Yahweh, now and for all time and eternity.
The Reason We Keep Chanukah
A. C.
The reason we keep Chanukah is because it is a joyous family time when for eight days we commit to coming together each evening for Bible reading, story telling, snacks, games, fellowship, and meditation, to reflect on our dedication or rededication to Yahweh. Though it's not "required" to light candles, we are required to light the Chanukah light, that is, our light of dedication.... not just at this time for these eight days, but at all times and seasons. Yahshua is the light of the world for all time, just as the center servant candle symbolizes. He continues shining once the eight nights of Chanukah are over, and so must our dedication to Him. To me, the Chanukah celebration is one of family warmth, encouragement, and inspiration to get us through the dark months of winter, and life, ahead of us. May that center candle forever keep us shining long after these days are past.
Why We're Keeping Chanukah
M. C. (age 4)
Yahweh, we know we don't have to keep Chanukah, but we do, because the bad people came to Your temple and destroyed it, and Yahweh's people dedicated it to You. And that's why we keep Chanukah, because we're dedicating our lives to you.