Holy Days, Holy Seasons
“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?”
--Psalm 27:1
Holidays. First and foremost a holiday is a Holy Day, a festival day set aside for people to celebrate a sacred happening. Some Holy Days spread themselves out into a series of days, like the “twelve days of Christmas”. Several of the world’s major religions have holy seasons during this part of the calendar year. This week we are looking at a few of these holy days/ holy seasons.
Soon the Jewish community commences a celebration known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication. The season is Hanukkah or Chanukkah. Each evening during the season, Jewish families and communities light an additional candle on their menorahs until all eight are burning. The 27th Psalm gives a poetic backdrop for what these people of faith are celebrating.
The festival season commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple after the Jews defeated the Hellenist Syrians (Greeks) in 165 BC. Three years prior (168 BC) the temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus and a battle for control of the holy place was waged. Judah Maccabee and his soldiers, upon claiming victory, went to the holy Temple and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They decided to rededicate the temple and light the menorah. Legend tells us they finally found some oil, enough for one day. Miraculously, however, the oil lasted for eight days. Now, the season is remembered by lighting menorah candles each night for the eight days; during this time the people celebrate the power of God and the faithfulness of Israel.
A prayer: God, who has been and still is the light and salvation of those who trust in you, be my light and salvation again today as I work among your creation. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
12.14.11
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