NOT Jewish Christmas: Why we celebrate Hanukkah

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

“But that’s your Christmas,” my neighbor insisted, after I explained to her that the menorah on the table was for Hanukkah.

“No,” I said. “It’s not. It’s Hanukkah.”

“Right. Your Christmas.” She smiled her tolerant smile.

“It’s a different thing…” I started, but she had made up her mind.

***

Sitting next to me on the airplane, the seminary student complained that he didn’t understand Jews.  “Why do they do Hanukkah?” he asked. “It’s not even in the Bible.”

He was visibly surprised when I told him that Hanukkah is mentioned in the New Testament. The word Hanukkah means “dedication”. It was during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) that Jesus declared himself to be the promised Messiah, God in the flesh (John 10:22-23).

So, what do you know about Hanukkah? Do you think of it as a Jewish Christmas?  Is it something that “they” do…