GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CELEBRATING HANUKKAH – KINDLING LIGHTS & BLESSINGS

Hanukkah is an annual eight-day Biblical Feast that celebrates the re-dedication of His Altar in Is-real as well as the overthrow of pagan sun god worship in God’s Temple. I am not minimizing this holiday’s application to Israel when I say Is-real, I’m trying to touch-on a specific point for everyone. Hanukkah is about purifying the altar of your heart and your body, so you can be a part of His pure and spotless Bride.

During this celebration, those who participate in a fresh new redemptive way in the Messiah are those who have overcome overwhelming odds to take a righteous stand against the world-dominating powers-that-be, just like the Maccabees did. The name “Maccabee” means hammer, like the instrument used to drive the nails into Yeshua’s hands and feet. I also personally see the Maccabee hammer as a gavel in a judge’s chamber that vibrates at the frequency of freedom.

Even thought the eight day miracle of oil is suspect, the menorah (lampstand) itself is from God’s Temple; and since Hanukkah was known as the Feast of Lights in Yeshua’s Day, in my mind the custom of kindling a Hanukkah menorah passes God’s “sniff” test. We simply have to remember that the historical miracle it symbolizes is the eight day re-dedication of the Altar and the cleansing of His Temple. We can also celebrate the fact of Yeshua’s miracle of touching us who were born blind from birth. Now Hanukkah represents us ascending and descending in order to be sent out as blazing new wine into the world as the light of the world.

The main prophetic reading for Hanukkah is Zechariah 4:6 “Not be might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Instead of publicizing the menorah miracle, we are making known the altar miracle of the re-dedication of our hearts to worshiping the One True God, as He has prescribed in His Word. The Feast of Dedication is all about I AM (HAYAH) being lifted up, so He can draw all men unto Himself (John 8:28).

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UNDERSTANDING THE LIGHTING THE CANDLES:

When my family kindles the Hanukkah lights during the beginning of the Biblical Day (sundown), we then read a devotion and discuss it. Some of our best moments are these discussions and breaking bread together. It’s really all about Yeshua and His believers celebrating Him and one another.

When we kindle our Hanukkah menorah each night, we start with one candle on the right outermost edge from the one lighting the candle, and add one candle each night. I don’t believe that we need to be religious about “how to” kindle the Hanukkah lights, the importance is that we light them in honor of Yeshua’s celebration of this holiday and us joining Him in it. My family likes to start from the right to the left, because that is how Hebrews read. I’ve heard of other people who start with all eight candles and decrease it each night. To each their own; but personally, I like my light symbolically increasing during the Feast of Re-dedication of my heart.

You will notice on a hanukiah that there’s one candle holder that is either higher or set apart. You can simulate this with tea lights too. The set apart candle is called the “shamash” or servant candle. It’s symbolic of Yeshua (Jesus) not coming to be served, but to serve, as well as Him being literal The Light of the World that lights the other lights of the world (us):

“Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be the servant of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:44-45).

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world’ ” (John 8:12; John 9:5).

On the first night of Hanukkah, after sundown, the “shamash” candle is lit, which in turn is used to kindle the first candle in the Menorah. The second night, we light the “shamash” again and use it to light the two right candles. This continues through the eight nights of the Hanukkah. The following are some possible meanings of the candles culled from Yeshua Ha’Mashiach Ministries. For those in need of a very short devotion during Hanukkah, this may be sufficient for you. I would suggest asking participates what each day’s message means to them personally.

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MEANING OF THE CANDLES:

FIRST CANDLE – The first candle of Hanukkah describes creative light, the very light of God, as it was in the beginning: “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:3-4 KJV).

SECOND CANDLE – The second candle reveals that God is the source of Israel’s light: “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people” (Exodus 13:21-22 KJV).

THIRD CANDLE – The third candle reminds us that God Himself is the source of our own individual light: “[A Psalm of David.] The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 KJV). “For You will light my lamp, the LORD, My God will light up my darkness” (Psalm 18:28 HNV).

FOURTH CANDLE – The fourth candle describes the light that comes from God’s Word: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:105, 130 NKJV).

FIFTH CANDLE – The fifth candle represents the greatest grace and light of all, our Messiah Yeshua: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:4-5 NKJV). “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life’ ” (John 8:12 NLT). “I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke:30-32 NLT). “For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:6 NLT).

SIXTH CANDLE – The sixth candle represents those being made in the Messiah’s image being the light of the world: “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matt 5:14-16 NLT).

SEVENTH CANDLE – The seventh candle speaks of the future glory of Israel (Is-real) being restored and our light shining in the darkness: “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you” (Isa 60:1-2 NKJV).

EIGHTH CANDLE – The eighth candle illuminates the glorious eternal dwelling place of His Bride, the New Jerusalem: “I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev 21:22-27 NLT).

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HANUKKAH BLESSING OVER THE CANDLES

As the candles are being kindled, a blessing is spoken over them. The first night a special blessing is usually said to open up the festive season with another blessing following it. You can say your own blessing that’s related to the re-dedication of your heart and the cleansing of your temple (body) -or – you can use one of these:

FIRST NIGHT BLESSING:
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who granted us life, sustained us and permitted us to reach this season.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-he-che-yanu v’kee-ma-nu v’hi-gee-ah-nu laz-man ha-zeh.

TRADITIONAL BLESSING:
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to light Hanukah lights.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher kid-shah-nu b’mitz-voh-tayv v’tzee-vah-nu l’had-leek ner shel Hanukah.

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.

BUILDING UP FAITH BLESSING:
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us holidays, customs, and times of happiness, to increase the knowledge of God and to build us up in our most holy faith.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher nah-tan lah-nu cha-gim, min-ha-gim, oo-mo-ah-dim l’sim-cha, l’hag-deel et da-at Adonai, v’liv-not oh-tah-nu b’emunah ki-do-shah v’na-ah-lah.

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.

RE-DEDICATION OF THE ALTAR BLESSING:
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, you are is worthy, worthy, worthy of pure and holy worship. We re-dedicate our hearts solely unto You, our First Love. We choose from our very depths to purify our Temples as You the Good Shepherd chooses. We also declare that we are the man that is sent to the pool of living waters that ascends and descends through the Revelation 4:1 door as your sons.

Hope this helps you and yours!
Happy Hanukkah (Re-dedication)!!!

~ Robin Main

www.sapphirethroneministries.com
www.santa-tizing.com
www.mysticmentoring.com

Excerpts from the Blazing New Wine of Hanukkah (Bridal Restoration of DNA) book, Part VIII – General Guidelines to Celebrating Hanukkah, p. 61-68

If you are interested in knowing more about Hanukkah and celebrating it as a Christian, please check out: Blazing New Wine of Hanukkah (Bridal Restoration of DNA) book => http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1634430026/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_myi?m=A6RM81HPD4JZA . It is also available on the Sapphire Throne Ministries WEBSITE: http://www.sapphirethroneministries.com/resources.html.

Copyright 2014 – Sapphire Throne Ministries – Robin Main

Originally published => https://www.facebook.com/SapphireThroneMinistries/photos/a.436008649804968.101323.436004819805351/797723583633471/?type=1&theater

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Other posts about celebrating Hanukkah in the Messiah:

• GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CELEBRATING HANUKKAH – KINDLING LIGHTS & BLESSINGS => https://santatizing.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/general-guidelines-for-celebrating-hanukkah-kindling-lights-blessings/

• HANUKKAH DEVOTION – READING NIGHT 1 – “Walking As Yeshua (Jesus) Did”=> https://santatizing.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/hanukkah-devotional-reading-night-1-walking-as-yeshua-jesus-did/

• HANUKKAH DEVOTION – READING NIGHT 2 – “Priests Cleansing Our Temples” –  https://santatizing.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/hanukkah-devotional-reading-night-2-priests-cleansing-our-temples/ 

• HANUKKAH DEVOTION – READING NIGHT 3 – “Eyes to See” =>  https://santatizing.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/hanukkah-devotional-reading-night-3-eyes-to-see/ 

• HANUKKAH DEVOTION – READING NIGHT 4 – “What Do You See?” => https://santatizing.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/hanukkah-devotion-reading-night-4-what-do-you-see/ 

• HANUKKAH DEVOTION – READING NIGHT 5 – “Pure & Pressed Like Gold” => https://santatizing.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/hanukkah-devotion-reading-night-5-pure-pressed-like-gold/ 

• HANUKKAH DEVOTION – READING NIGHT 6 – “The True Light of Love” => https://santatizing.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/hanukkah-devotion-reading-night-6-the-true-light-of-love/ 

• HANUKKAH DEVOTION – READING NIGHT 7 – “The Place of Miracles” => https://santatizing.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/hanukkah-devotion-reading-night-7-the-place-of-miracles/ 

• HANUKKAH DEVOTION – READING NIGHT 8 – “Will You Be Betrothed?” =>  https://santatizing.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/hanukkah-devotion-reading-night-8-will-you-be-betrothed/

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RESOURCES AVAILABLE:

• Ascension Manual book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188511

• Understanding the Order of Melchizedek: Complete Series book => https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Order-Melchizedek-Robin-Main/dp/0998598240/

• MEL GEL Study Guide book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578188538/

• MEL GEL Study Guide: Volume 2 book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998598232/

• SANTA-TIZING: What’s wrong with Christmas and how to clean it up book => https://www.amazon.com/SANTA-TIZING-Whats-wrong-Christmas-clean/dp/1607911159/

• Blazing New Wine of Hanukkah book =>https://www.amazon.com/Blazing-New-Wine-Hanukkah-Understanding-ebook/dp/B010MHNZMK/

• Let There Be Light! Hanukkah Meditations book => https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998598208/

• Set of Hebrew Living Letter Flash Cards => https://www.sapphirethroneministries.com/flashcards

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