The story of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukkah)  begins in strife during the reign of Antiochus IV. It is known as the Festival of Lights because it celebrates God’s glory in an ancient victory of the Jews over their enemies. 

In 165 BC, Antiochus, king of Syria, marched his army of soldiers into the kingdom of Judea with the intent of destroying the Jews and their religion. He insisted that the Jews worship the Greek gods. He stormed the temple in Jerusalem and completely desecrated it. Shortly there after Antiochus returned to Syria but the soldiers stayed on and continued with their vile ways of disrespect in the very Tabernacle of God.

To the Jew this was an act of blasphemy for they worshipped only One God, Yahweh, the God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Many refused to obey the king’s decree, holding on to their faith and tradition even to the point of death.

It is here where the story of faith and courage begins to burn bright. Mattathias Maccabee, a man of conviction, organized a group of freedom fighters, which included his five sons to take back the Temple. They fought bravely; using whatever hand made weapons they could devise. They gained in numbers and in strength fighting the enemy anywhere and in any way they could. When Mattathias became sick, his son Judah led the group to victory.Judah Maccabee and his followers had one goal in mind, to restore their Holy Temple and to honor the Lord their God and they did so with all their heart, mind and soul.

One of their first tasks after their victory was to clean up the Temple and to rededicate it to the Lord. When they restored the holy lamp, the Menorah, to its rightful place, they found only enough clean and holy oil to last one-day.

And here lies the Miracle of the story.

They lit the Lamp knowing there was just enough oil to last one day, but they lit it anyway, and sent someone to get more oil. The flames of the menorah burned steadily for eight days and with each passing day it is told that the flames grew brighter. The Miracle may seem so simple but it reaches into the very heart of those whose faith is in God, and whose heart for tradition is an act of Worship. God miraculously provided “unseen oil” to burn in His Menorah for eight days. (until more clean oil could be brought into the temple)    His Light shone brightly in His Temple for His people to come and worship Him. 

To know His peace, His faithfulness and to know His presence.  To me that is the Miracle of the Story. 

Today, Hanukkah is a Holiday celebrated by Jews and non-Jews because of the Message of hope that it brings. God is the true Light of the World. He is a God of Miracles; He is a God that provides for our needs, with Him and through Him all things are possible. No matter where we live, His Light can burn brightly in our hearts. We can be in His presence.

And if you ever wonder why, why did God let the temple be ruined, why did He let the oil run out, I can only answer it in this way……so we could witness HIS Divine Glory.  And perhaps so we could be encouraged by the story of faith and courage shown by those whose love for God enabled them to press on and see the Victory.

For more reading on the history of Hanukkah and Jewish Traditions please visit this website  http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm    or   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah