The festivals of lights – Hannuka and Christmas

The Jewish feast commemorates the great miracle that took place here when a little oil for the candelabrum in the Temple, enough for a day, lasted for eight days. The feast is also called the Feast of Lights. Light is one theme that Hannuka and Christmas have in common.

However, another important element is the rededication of the Temple of God, the purification of the place of God's encounter with the human person. The Maccabees who conquered Jerusalem, purified the Temple after the Hellenistic authorities had desecrated it by setting up idols in it and ending the sacred cult. Believers in Jesus also seek to rededicate and purify the Temple, which for them, on the one hand, is their body and on the other hand is the community so that both the body and the community might be ready to receive the Lord who will be born on Christmas Day.

In 2 Samuel 7, God explains to David that He does not need a house and that the Tent - of meeting or of witness - is enough for Him as He walks about among the people. God, instead of the house that David wants to build Him, will establish a house for David and give to him a son who will be a son of God and who will rule for ever. The reading from the Gospel (Luke 1:26-38), tells the story of the Annunciation to Mary. In her womb God finds for himself his Temple. We are invited to be like Mary and to make space within ourselves, to purify the place and dedicate it as a sanctuary for God.

We have gathered here a few Hannuka songs:

1. Songs for Hannuka
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2. More songs for Hannuka
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3. A song for unity at Hannuka
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4. Hannuka blessings with Israeli Philarmonic
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