Most Americans have heard of Chanukah. Most of what Americans understand about this festival comes from Adam Sandler's parody on Saturday Night Live. I have taught this festival in schools many times over the years. Most children believe that Chanukah is the Jews' Christmas.

Many Christians would probably wonder what business a Christian has, celebrating this holiday. The true story of Chanukah can be found easily on the internet. My purpose is to talk about the actual word for a moment. Most dictionaries define the word as meaning 'dedication', and this is very accurate. The Brit Chadashah has Messiah going to this festival in Yochanan 10:22. The fact that we are commanded to follow the Messiah ought to be enough reason to observe it. The word comes from the Hebrew word chanuk. It is and was a common household word in a Hebrew home. It is the word a parent uses to describe the 'training' of a child, and is used in Mishlei 22:6:

"Train (chanuk) up a child in the way he should go and, when he is old, he will not depart from it."

The word literally means to 'make a habit'. To dedicate something scripturally is to place a consistent focus on something that stirs a never ending memory. When one discovers the actual events that resulted in the observance of Chanukah, it is easy to see why Yahshua always observed it.

Shalom Alecheim!