CELEBRATING HANUKKAH AND CHRISTMAS TOGETHER

According to the New Testament, there are no Jewish holidays that are still a part of the Christian faith. Hanukkah, and the Jewish New Year, have nothing to do with the Old Testament. These were added during the period between the writing of the Old and New Testaments and are recorded in an uninspired book found in catholicism called the Apocrypha. Hanukkah or (The Feast of Lights) is more of a traditional feast than an Old Testament biblical feast or festival.

Hanukkah is not the caliber of Christmas, despite its seasonal proximity. The hallmark greeting card industry has been trying hard to increase sales by including Hanukkah and other holidays in its assortment.

One thing we should be aware of, though—“Chanukah” is NOT about “peace on earth, goodwill to men.” “Chanukah” celebrates the military victory of Judah Maccabee killing the Greeks—so sentimental, Hallmark-style cards seem a little weird to people who know and celebrate the story.

Jewish people for the most part don’t feel excluded or forgotten during the holiday season; so while some of our Jewish friends may find the card sweet and thoughtful, others may see it as inappropriate or patronizing.

There is also a misconception that true Christians should celebrate Hanukkah. On the one hand, the story of the Maccabees is part of the Catholic Bible and Hanukkah is mentioned in the Gospel of John (10:22-23. On the other hand, St. Paul firmly asserted that Christians are not obliged to celebrate Jewish holidays (Col:16-17)

There seems to be in many a fad among Christians of trying out all kinds of Jewish customs and observances. Some Christians have been holding Seders on Passover, lighting menorahs on Hanukkah, and holding “Sabbath suppers” on Saturday nights. While having an interest in the Jewish roots of Christianity is praiseworthy, it is also troubling for any number of reasons. Here are a few.

As Christians we can lose focus on our own rich heritage. By focusing on the customs and practices of others, we may lose appreciation of our own. Consequently the novelty of another tradition can become elevated over and above our own sometime replacing the church with Messianic Synagogues.

Many Christians do not know enough about Judaism, or Jewish practice and observance (or the Christian relationship with Judaism and the Jewish people), to be incorporating Jewish customs and holidays into their own devotions.

If we Christians learn nothing else about Hanukkah, we should learn that it is a holiday that commemorates a rejection of false worship and an affirmation of worship of the one true God.

In John 10:22-23 Jesus was asked by those there to celebrate this feast, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” (v 23). In response, Jesus says to them, “I and the Father are one” (v30). He was telling them that he was much more than the earthly messiah that they had been expecting; he was, in fact, God!

Finally, we need to be aware that the entire point of Hanukkah, is to celebrate people who died, rather than the celebrating the birth of a Savior, rescuer and deliverer.

Consequently, for us to celebrate Hanukkah AND a holiday that celebrates the birth of someone who Christians believe is the son of God, is not biblical and does not make sense to true believers.