Feast of Dedication, Chanukkah

Feastival of Lights

        In John chapter 10 we have the only mention in the Bible of the feast of dedication, or as we know it today, the feast of lights, or Hannukkah,  Chanukkah, Hanukkah, et al. I am not sure how Jesus spelled it, probably "dedication". I am kidding of course.  In Hebrew the word for dedication is "Chanukkat". In any event, in Jesus' time this was the feast that celebrated the miracle of the lamp not going out for 8 days. John 10:22 tells us that Jesus had returned to Jerusalem for this purpose.  This verse gives us a window into the life and times of first century Jewish culture. Many modern Rabbis read the NT as a historical record for them. No where else do they have personal accounts and records of what Jewish life was like 2000 years ago. This passage is an example. What a great confirmation for them. Here is the only record of this celebration in the NT.  A. J. Robertson says that this verse reflects the feast of lights and that it was set up "for eight days about the middle of our December, and was instituted by Judas Maccabeus, B.C. 164 in commemoration of the cleansing of the temple from the defilements of pagan worship by Antiochus Epiphanes (1Macc. 4:59)." It is fun to think of Jesus going into Jerusalem to celebrate during this time of feasting. I wonder if they exchanged gifts? Did they light candles on their Menorahs? Where did Jesus celebrate it?  Even though Jesus went to C.J., many scholars think that this was one of the few feast one could celebrate locally without going up to the City of Jerusalem. 
         As we watch our "elder brothers" begin celebrating their Hannukkah festival, we are reminded that our Lord thought it was important enough to travel to Jerusalem to participate in it in the middle of winter. I have been in Jerusalem during March and it snowed! So I know it can be cold. If it was important to Him then I think it should be important to us. We should respect it and wish all our Jewish friends Happy Hannukkah!!  
     
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvY337zKttA&feature=pyv&ad=7216194952&kw=chanukah