”“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.“
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 ESV
Saturday was a special night with these three. Slumber party with three of our six grandchildren, Zeke, Jax, and Quinn. We lit day three of our Hanukkah candles and celebrated with these 3.
Children and candles just go together. Jax, who had just celebrated his 6th birthday, said, “I wanna light more.” Haha. He was in the groove after celebrating and eating cake all week.
Rabbinic laws surrounding the lighting of the menorah require that we publicize the miracle of Hanukkah. This is done by placing menorahs where they are most visible from the outside. Some communities have public lighting ceremonies. Often those menorahs are built on a large scale.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:
”“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.“
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
Hanukkah is celebrated at night during December when the nights are the longest. The lights of the candles shine bright in the dark of the night. This is what Jesus promised of Himself.
”Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”“
John 8:12 ESV
As we light our Hanukkah candles these are the words I hear. I look at the small flickering flame and think what a difference one small candle can make. The darkness surrounding even just one candle cannot extinguish its brightness, and I know that flame is a visual reminder of what Jesus does in my life. So Kevin and I publicize our menorah to our grandchildren in our home. But is this enough?
That word publicize is a stumbling block for me. Before I can post any of these articles I have to hit the button, “publish.” That button intimidates me. Do I publish this devotional?Do I dare? Do I care? Does anyone care? I’m staring at that “publish” button now. It terrifies me. I could so easily hit “delete” and no one could read these thoughts of mine, but for some reason I have to write. I blob them onto this very keyboard. Some call themselves bloggers. I call myself a blobber. I empty my thoughts here or else I will find myself wide awake at midnight filled with more thoughts of that first Christmas long ago and the lights of Hanukkah’s of seasons past and the spiritual truths these stories teach me. My heart is full during this season of rededication and these stories and customs of Hanukkah call me to rededicate and give my whole heart to the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
We are called to be a “light for the nations.” But am I displaying, publicizing the light within me. Do I let my light so shine before others?