It’s the most wonderful time of the year, again. Even in the middle of the heartache, I find joy in the Christmas and Hanukkah season. As a child, Christmas time was filled with warm feelings and a certain excitement and anticipation of the mystery of the gift giver (Santa) and naturally, the gifts. As I grew up, the reality of that gift giver brought disappointment, and my Christmas joy was somehow a little different. Those warm feelings and the thrill of anticipation briefly returned in fleeting moments of memories of Christmas past, as the hustle and stress of the season became a new reality.
It was only when I paused to search my heart for the joy of Christmas past, that I realized the symbolism in Jesus’ words “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 18:3) For it is in that child-like state that we are embraced by our Heavenly Father, the true gift giver who wants to give good gifts to His children. I discovered a new joy from an old gift that I had taken for granted for so many years. It is an everlasting joy from an everlasting gift that turned mere memories of the joy of Christmas past into the real thing. It is the gift of Jesus the Light of the world. It is in the gift of salvation that true comfort and joy is found, knowing we are forever safe in our Father’s care. He is truly a wonderful Father who gave his children the best gift, His only begotten son Jesus Christ.
Jesus was born into a Jewish family descended from the line of King David of the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The promise of a Messiah was given to God’s chosen people, the Jews, to save the whole world. Those twelve tribes were the sons of Jacob, descended from his father Isaac and his grandfather, Abraham. The rich Jewish history in the Bible tells a beautiful story and lays out God’s perfect plan for his creation from Genesis to Revelation, beginning to end.
The story of Hanukkah is found in the book of Maccabees. It is considered part of the apocrypha which was removed from most Christian Bibles by early protestant church leaders. However, it can still be found in the catholic Bible and is no less an important part of Christian history. For without Hanukkah, there would have been no Messiah and God’s chosen people would have been destroyed. But God, in His great mercy always has a plan. And God is good all the time, even in this dark year with all that 2020 had in store. May 2021 be a year of light and good things to come. I hope you enjoy this poem I wrote about Christmas and Hanukkah and the Light of the world.
Welcome the Light
The darkness harkens it’s intrigue and influences like a cancer.
Multitudes of malcontent run into it expecting the answer.
But it’s not found there, for the lord of the darkness is a terrible liar.
Yet, there is a shadow of hope for their insatiable desire.
They do not know what they are looking for;
God’s wisdom and understanding they deplore.
But there in the shadow lies true hope!
For without darkness there can be no light, and shadow of hope.
Light calls into the darkness, Come!
Come to the light;
Step out of the shadows and come to the light!
Listen, the Light of life is calling you! Remove the veil from your eyes that thwarts your view.
He stands before you knocking at the door of your soul.
He wants to heal your brokenness and make you whole.
He loves you with an everlasting love,
Patiently waiting to be welcomed from above.
It’s Christmas time again, the season of light
that came into the darkness to light up the night.
Joy to the world, the Lord has come!
Welcome the light and the riches of the Son.
Deck your halls with bows of holly;
Jingle those bells and be jolly.
Let your houses shine bright
with strands of Christmas and Hanukkah light.
Oh miracle of Hanukkah, the oil lasted for eight days.
A mystery of eternity and so worthy of our praise.
Let’s celebrate Hanukkah, a foreshadowing of eternal Light
that came into this wounded world to make things right.
For God saved His people from a death decree,
through the courage and faith of Judah Maccabee.
The menorah’s oil was enough for one day,
Yet it lasted for eight as the people prayed.
Oil that gives light, oil of gladness and joy,
God’s Spirit poured out on the world to employ.
It’s free for the taking, so there’s no better reason
to welcome the Light this Christmas and Hanukkah season?
Thank you Lord for saving Your people Israel.
Thank you for Hanukkah, for without It there would be no Christmas.
Thank you God for sending Your Son,
The Light of the world, the risen One.
Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!
John 1:5
And now that Light has come into the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 8:12
I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.
Revelation 3:20-22
Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come and eat with him and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.
Thank you for reading my blog. My inspiration about the mystery of the eighth day came from Jonathan Chan’s Book of Mysteries. It is a wonderful 365 day devotional that explains many of the mysteries of Messiah and His Jewish roots. It will make a wonderful gift for Christmas or Hanukkah. God bless you all, may your holidays be merry and bright, and I will be back next year.
Your poem is beautiful and inspiring. Well done!
That was beautifully done! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to you!
“ The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it“