A Messianic Hanukkah

Perspectives from Around the Web

On the sixth day of Hanukkah, the Wiksells gave to me…

A bunch of links to articles on Messianic Hanukkah! (OK, it doesn’t rhyme.)

Messianic Jews & Gentiles find themselves in an interesting situation each year at this time. Should we celebrate Christmas, but with a Jewish twist? Should we celebrate Hanukkah, but with a Christian twist? Or perhaps all of the above?

Holiday cards really highlight this conundrum. Granted, that may be the case for everyone with friends and family all over the spiritual spectrum. Perhaps Hallmark should sell cards that just say “Happy Whatever.”

Anyway, here are a few articles from, and about, people who find themselves in this situation, drawing special meaning from the messianic qualities of Hanukkah, but not always certain how to apply it to their worship, or their daily lives.


Jewish Jewels; Hanukkah 2017

Jewish Jewels encourages believers with a reassurance of God’s love for us, and his desire to use us to shine his light to the world.

“The Hebrew word for light is ohr and is pronounced “or”. It is a primary root meaning to be luminous, glorious, set on fire, shine, light, bright and clean. God tells His Jewish people through the prophet Isaiah that He will be their eternal light. ‘The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you, but the Lord will be to you an everlasting
light, and your God your glory.’ (Isaiah 60:19)”


The Hanukkah Story: MJ Style

Although Derek Leman casts doubt on the veracity of miracles in Scripture, he nevertheless offers a thorough and compelling Messianic take on the Festival of Lights.

“The miracle Hanukkah is the preservation of God’s people Israel and preparing his people for the days of Messiah. If it had not been for Hanukkah, there might not have been a Jewish people for Messiah to be born into. The covenant promises of God would perhaps have failed. But history will never work out this way. Seen or unseen, God’s hand drives history in the direction of the world to come.”


MJBI: Hanukkah

The Messianic Jewish Bible Institute provides a very short informative article here, but it comes with a nice 8-minute video providing more insight into the holiday.

“The victorious warrior Yehuda ordained ‘that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of Kislev, with mirth and gladness'”


Chanukah: The Rekindling of Righteousness

Jewish Voice provides many fascinating resources to help believers celebrate and understand Hanukkah. The article gives background and depth to the spiritual story.

“The spark of righteousness of a faithful few set a restoration movement on fire. Their zeal was marked by an absolute refusal to conform, and a consummate fervor for the Torah, the covenant, and the God of their fathers.”


We hope you’ve benefited from this collection of perspectives, and that you’re making the most of this Hanukkah season!

TOPICS: Hanukkah, Jesus, Messianic, Yeshua