The Story of the Maccabees

1 Maccabees 4:36, 37 - Then Judas and his brothers said, "See, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it." So all the army assembled and went up to Mount Zion.     

1 Maccabees 52-59 - Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-eighth year, they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering that they had built. At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals. All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed Heaven, who had prospered them. So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and joyfully offered burnt offerings; they offered a sacrifice of well-being and a thanksgiving offering. They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests, and fitted them with doors. There was very great joy among the people, and the disgrace brought by the Gentiles was removed. Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev.  [Courtesy of www.biblestudytools.com]

During the eight nights of Hanukkah candles are lit. It is a time to remember that God is our light and our salvation. Psalm 27:1 declares - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Judah Maccabees realized this when he encouraged his people to fight those who would take away their God given faith and identity. He told the people, "Do not fear their numbers or be afraid when they charge. Remember how our ancestors were saved at the Red Sea, when Pharaoh with his forces pursued the. And now, let us cry to Heaven, to see whether he will favor us and remember his covenant with our ancestors and crush this army before us today. Then all the Gentiles will know that there is one who redeems and saves Israel." [1 Maccabees 4:8-11] He believed that God would be their salvation and deliver them from their oppressors.

We, too, can stand on that promise. Jesus, who is the light of the world, came to bring us salvation. Salvation means deliverance, preservation, and safety [Vine's Expository Dictionary]. As you see the lights of Christmas, may you be reminded that Jesus has come to bring us out of darkness into his marvelous light [1 Peter 2:9].