December 8, 2023

From Lent to Advent: Disaster to Dedication

Today, December 8th, is the first full day of Hannukah. It is a Jewish festival of lights that has become increasingly popular in the Western world, responding to the rise of Christmas in the 20th century as a Christian-turned-cultural celebration. The origins of Hannukah are found in the Greek conquest of the Holy Land by Alexander the Great, and the subsequent rulers over the Jews who were much less gracious than Alexander himself. Specifically, Antiochus Epiphanes' (175-164 BCE) rule over the Jews was particularly harsh. He robbed the Temple in Jerusalem and desecrated it. “Ruthless” is a word that befits him.

This story can be found in the apocryphal book of 1 Maccabees—what I like to refer to as one of the “bonus books.” This past Spring in Lent, a group of us read the first five chapters of 1 Maccabees. It describes the military response of Mattathais and his son Judas and their family who lead a revolt. Judas was nicknamed “Maccabeus” or the “The Hammer.” Judas was successful in pushing the Greeks out of Jerusalem, and then consecrated the Temple making it usable again. 

There is an expanded version of this story in the Talmud, which is seen by Jews as an important text, but not scripture. Here we read the story of Judas finding only enough consecrated oil to keep the temple lamps burning for one day. The oil miraculously lasted eight days which is the length of time necessary for dedicating the temple. It is this story that gives us the eight days of Hannukah celebrated today.

This year Jewish people are celebrating Hannukah with renewed interest, with some seeing the attacks on the nation of Israel and Israel’s response in light of the story of the Maccabean response to Greek oppression. Others of our Jewish friends are ambivalent right now, wondering if Israel’s response is divine or political retribution? On college and university campuses around the United States, some Jewish students and Palestinian students are joining together to call for a cease fire and a diplomatic solution. Of course not all Jews and Palestinians agree with them.

I am ambivalent as well. There is no doubt that the Jewish people have been persecuted by many people across the centuries, including both Christians and Muslims. It is also a fact that antisemitism has been on the increase for the past few years around the world, and increased even more in the past weeks. There are many Jewish people in the Pacific Northwest and around the country, who will not display a menorah this year, for fear of violence against their family. In my prayers I have separated my prayers for the safety of the Jewish people from the political and military decisions of the Israeli government. I pray for peace for all people in the Holy Land, and an end to retribution in both directions—even in our country.

While some of our Jewish friends will still light candles remembering the miracle of the dedication of their desecrated temple, we light our Advent candles accompanied by the words of the prophets we hold in common with both our Jewish and Muslim friends. Words that speak of a coming prince of peace, a time when war will end, a time when light will conquer the darkness, and people end their dependence upon war. As we light our candles each Sunday, might we pray that the light of Christ would illumine each of us, and make us ambassadors of peace, or at least the hope of peace.

With audacious hope,

~ Pastor Todd