December 11 - 19, 2009, or if you prefer the Jewish Calendar, Year 5770,
join me in commemorating this season of holy-days beginning at sunset Friday(tomorrow).
The Chanukah Mennorah has nine (9) candlesticks. Each candle corresponds to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit found in the book of Galatians, New Testament, Holy Bible.[Galatians 6:22] When Christ Jesus came the first time, living with Joseph and His mother Mary, He would have participated in Chanukah as an aspect of Jewish life.
The first day of Chanukah is when the tallest or most prominent candle is lit. It is called the Servant candle, and for we who belong to Christ Jesus, we understand that the first candle symbolizes His presence. That Servant candle represents the first fruit of the Holy Spirit without which none of the other fruits are possible. Consequently, that Servant candle is used to light each of the other candles. The Servant Candle represents Christ Jesus Who is the "Light of the World" and Who also is the Love of God, the love that God has shown us, Love that must indwell us if we are to represent Him. It is His love acting on and through us that ignites the other fruits of the Spirit. I personally believe that God has arranged those fruits in order of acquisition. As we grow in the Love of God, become increasing more dedicated to Him and relationship with Him, these fruits emerge in our lives. Chanukah is a wonderful time of year to slow down and prayerful consider God's Gift of Love, Yeshua, Christ Jesus, Who makes all things possible.
December 11 Day 1 - Candle 1 - Love
December 12 Day 2 - Candle 2 - Joy
December 13 Day 3 - Candle 3 - Peace
December 14 Day 4 - Candle 4 - Patience
December 15 Day 5 - Candle 5 - Kindness
December 16 Day 6 - Candle 6 - Goodness
December 17 Day 7 - Candle 7 - Faithfulness
December 18 Day 8 - Candle 8 - Gentleness
December 19 Day 9 - Candle 9 - Self-Control
You light the candles each evening. You light the preceeding day's candles and the candle for that day. By the ninth day all of the candles will be lit.
I want to be clear here. There is no Biblical requirement to commemorate Chanukah. I do it as it helps me to remain more focused upon Christ Jesus during a season drenched in commercialism.
If you want to know more about both the spiritual and the historical aspects of Chanukah, I recommend that you contact Rabbi Joseph Rosenfarb at Beth Messiah Synagogue of Norfolk, VA. The phone number is (757) 423-3440. You may want to visit. Beth Messiah is a wonderful congregation of Messianic believers who can tell you all about Yeshua, the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and Chanukah.
Loving God,
--Livvy McDonald
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