Hanukkah Family Liturgy Guide
Twenty Six Eight November 2013
Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
Introduction
Hanukkah is an eight-‐day celebration that usually falls in December (although it can come as early as late November). It’s not a mandated celebration. However, the events surrounding it are prophesied in the book of Daniel. Whether you’re Jewish or non-‐Jewish, this is a great way to experience God’s miracles in history through remembrance and celebration.
The Place of Tradition Tradition is ritual with spiritual significance. They help us find meaning through the structure of ideas, themes, and worship experiences. While tradition is never to transcend or contradict the instruction or principles of God’s Word, it is a helpful tool to learn how to engage God in new and old ways.
Developing Personal, Family, and Corporate Traditions This guide is intended to be just that—a guide. Where it’s helpful, use it. Where it’s distracting or confusion, then don’t use it. The ideas and liturgical experiences are only intended to facilitate a meaningful encounter with God through the Sabbath. If, after using the guide, you’d like to experiment with other forms consistent and complimentary to the Word, then do so (don’t incorporate something that contradicts the Word or comes from another religion). Use your God-‐given creativity and imagination.
How To Use This Guide To use this guide, simply gather your family together (dinner each night can be a great option). On each page is a short devotional and liturgy, to be accompanied by candle lighting (which means you’ll need two candles and matches). Appoint family members to read and pray each of the sections. Then, discuss the questions at the end of each page.
Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah Each night of Hanukkah, Jewish tradition teaches us to light the middle candle of the menorah first (called the Shammash, which means helper in Hebrew). Each night, one candle is added to the menorah and then lit using the Shammash. So, on the third night, for instance, you should have three candles in your menorah, lit with the Shammash. Jewish tradition also teaches us to let the candles burn until they go out. While these traditions are helpful and enlightening, they are one of many ways to approach using the Hanukkah menorah as a symbol to remember God’s savings acts.
Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
Family Devotionals An outline for family devotions is provided in this guide. It follows a simple pattern: opening prayer and candle lightings, scripture readings, and discussion questions. In addition to these traditions, consider the following: § Spend and evening reading and discussing the Hanukkah story (a version of the story can be found at the end of this guide). § Have a family meal each night as you light your menorah. § Have a snacks/appetizers as you light your menorah. § Set aside time to have family praise and worship. § Schedule a family outing after lighting the menorah to bless other families with a meal or acts of service. § Schedule a family Bible study. § Prepare an evening to tell the story of your family history. Consider one night to tell your family story and another to tell your spouse’s family story. § Schedule a night to invite family and friends over who may not know Jesus so you can share the light of His life with them. § Have a family prayer meeting in which you spend time praying for miracles and answers to prayer.
Necessary Items for the Liturgy 1. Hanukkah menorah. 2. A set of Hanukkah candles. 3. Matches.
Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
First Night: Miracles
Yahweh is a God of Miracles
Candle Lighting & Prayer
As candles are lit, pray the following… Father, we bless You for You are Yahweh our God, who reigns in power. You are exalted above all and none can resist Your authority and might. As we light these candles, we remember You have done miracles and wonders for Your people, Israel. Throughout the eight days of Hanukkah, remind us You are a God of miracles, whose power is our salvation and strength. Father, thank You for the miracle of Your Son’s entry into the world. Thank You for raising Him from the dead. Thank You for the wonder of His ministry at Your right hand. Amen!
Readings
Have someone read the following passages… You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples (Psalm 77:14).
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments (Psalm 78:4-‐7). …to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:4).
Discussion § §
Share one miracle you have seen Yahweh do in the last year. Share one miracle you’re contending for in the next year. Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
Second Night: Victory
Yahweh is a God of Victory
Candle Lighting & Prayer
As candles are lit, pray the following… Father, we bless You for You are Yahweh-‐Nissi, our banner and victory. By your great strength, You have destroyed Your enemies and exalted your people, Israel. On behalf of Your Beloved, Israel, You fight with heaven’s glory. Beautify the humble with Your salvation! We rejoice in Your promise to save us from our enemies and preserve us for Your Kingdom. For these eight days of Hanukkah, be our victory and joy. Amen!
Readings
Have someone read the following passages… Yahweh is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Yahweh is a man of war; Yahweh is his name (Exodus 15:2,3).
Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me (Psalm 144:1,2). Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:14-‐18).
Discussion § §
Share one way you’ve seen Yahweh’s victory in your life. What have Yahweh’s victories taught you about His kingdom? Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
Third Night: Light
Yahweh is a God of Light
Candle Lighting & Prayer
As candles are lit, pray the following… Father, we bless You because You are our light and salvation. In Your light, we see light. In Your truth, we see truth. In Your mercy, we know mercy. Illuminate our eyes to see the wonder of your glory. Show us the power of Your revelation by making the beauty of Your Son increase in and through us. Amen!
Readings
Have someone read the following passages… For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light (Psalm 36:9). See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? (Deuteronomy 4:5-‐8) Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:1-‐3).
Discussion § §
In what ways has God been light and revelation to you? What has God shown you through the illumination of His Spirit? Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
Fourth Night: Light
Jesus is the Light of the World
Candle Lighting & Prayer
As candles are lit, pray the following… Father, we bless You for the revelation of Your Son, Jesus our Messiah. You reveal the worth of eternity to us, calling us out of death and darkness and into the glorious light and life of Your Son, Jesus. Through His death and resurrection, we have entered into light and life. Praise You for the grace of Your salvation. May the light of Your Son, Jesus, reveal life to us during the eight days of Hanukkah.
Readings
Have someone read the following passages… 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).
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:1-‐4). and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin (I John 1:4-‐7).
Discussion § §
How has Jesus been to you in the last year? In what ways has His light brought blessing to you? Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
Fifth Night: Light
We are the Light of the World
Candle Lighting & Prayer
As candles are lit, pray the following… Father, we bless You because You have called in Your grace and truth. We walk in life because You have reconciled us to Yourself through Your Son, Jesus. As we remember the miracles of Hanukkah, cause us to be light in this world, emanating Your glory and love to the nations. Help us to reveal the power of heaven and dispel the darkness of this world. Father, we bless You for You are our Father and we are your people, called out of darkness to proclaim the marvelous light of Your Son, Jesus. Amen!
Readings
Have someone read the following passages… For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness (I Thessalonians 5:5). Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:1-‐3). “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).
Discussion § §
In what ways have you been light to others over the last year? How is God calling you to be light to others over the next year? Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
Sixth Night: Dedication
We are Called to Dedication
Candle Lighting & Prayer
As candles are lit, pray the following… Father, we bless You for You are a God of holiness. You have called us to walk in dedication to You, Your will, and Your ways. We are Your people, sanctified by Your Son, the power of Your Spirit, and Your Word. During the eight days of Hanukkah, teach us the beauty of dedication. Show us how to walk faithfully before You. By Your grace, we are Yours. Amen!
Readings
Have someone read the following passages… Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart (Psalm 119:2). “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today (Deuteronomy 7:6-‐11)
Discussion § §
What rewards have your received for dedication in the last year? What do you think dedication will look like over the next year? Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
Seventh Night: The Word
Yahweh’s Word Defines Dedication
Candle Lighting & Prayer
As candles are lit, pray the following… Father, we bless You for You are a God of truth, righteousness, and justice. In Your Word, You reveal Your kingdom and heart. In Your Word, we find grace and truth. In Your Word, we see Jesus, the eternal Word who unveils heaven’s glory. During these eight days of Hanukkah, teach us to walk in obedience to Your Word, Jesus. Amen!
Readings
Have someone read the following passages… For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-‐edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:7-‐11). “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-‐26).
Discussion § §
What’s rewarding about obeying God’s Word? What’s hard? What promises from God’s Word are burning in you? Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
Eight Night: Story
Yahweh Reveals His Kingdom in Story
Candle Lighting & Prayer
As candles are lit, pray the following… Father, You are the God of eternity and have revealed Your kingdom and purpose to us. We bless You for Your kingdom is unfolding across the years of our lives. We bless You for those who came before us who showed us how to love and obey You. We bless You for those who follow us, to whom we can show your beauty. Father, tell the story of Your kingdom in the pages of our lives. Amen!
Readings
Have someone read the following passages… I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do (John 17:4).
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect (Hebrews 11:32-‐40).
Discussion § §
What story has your life told so far? What story do you want your life to tell by the time its over? Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
The Hanukkah Story
Hanukkah means “dedication”, referring to the rededication of the Temple after a great Jewish military victory in 165 BCE. The events of Hanukkah were prophesied in the book of Daniel centuries before they took place. In Daniel 11:3,4, Alexander the Great’s rise to power is recorded and the destruction of his Kingdom into four parts is also mentioned. One of these four geographic sections was ruled by a terrible king. He was despicable and set his heart against God’s covenant and people (Daniel 11:21-‐28). Further, in Daniel 11:31, it was recorded that he would sack Jerusalem, defile the Temple, and attempt to lure Yahweh’s people into the worship of pagan gods. Historically, we know this ruler to be Antiochus Epiphanes IV, who reigned from 175-‐164 BCE. Like many rulers throughout history, he tried to wipe out Israel. Antiochus wanted everyone to be united under Greek Hellenism, thus he was not at all tolerant of the Jews, and even named himself “Epiphanes”, which was his way of declaring he was the visible god. These traits of his reign are mentioned in Daniel 11:36. He made people bow down to his statues and if they did not comply, the consequence was death! Through trickery and deceit, and social and political pressures, this king caused many Jews to follow his religious compromise and they actually bowed down to his statues (Daniel 11:32). Many Jews took the easy way out and tried to “go Greek”. Others understood that assimilation and elimination of Jewish worship, sacrifices and traditions would be the destruction of Judaism itself...making God a liar! The Jewish people faced persecution. Antiochus' heavily armed soldiers were sent out to force people to worship the king and make sacrifices (pigs) on the holy altar. This was the “abomination” that Daniel spoke of. The penalty for resistance was death. In 167 BCE, soldiers came to Modin outside Jerusalem to force Greek worship on an influential Jewish family led by Mattathias and his five sons. Mattathias would not forsake his faith. He tore down the Greek altar and drove off the soldiers with the battle cry, “Whoever is for the Lord, follow me!” The Jews knew they were up against great odds, but their banner was “Who among the mighty is like Thee, Oh God?” Mattathias' oldest son was nicknamed “Judah Maccabee”, meaning “The Hammer”, because he fought so hard. The battle was difficult for untrained Jewish farmers against well-‐equipped Syrian soldiers. But the Word of God is sure: “...the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32). On the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the date we celebrate Hanukkah, the Maccabees won back Jerusalem and the Temple that had been desecrated by Antiochus. It had been defiled and they immediately began to cleanse it. After it was put back together, they wanted to light the menorah in the Temple. This required oil that was specially prepared according to God’s Word and it took eight days to make it. However, they discovered they only had enough oil to last one day. In faith, they lit the menorah with the oil they had. Tradition says the oil burned for eight days, until the new oil was prepared
Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
and ready to burn. As a result, they instituted an eight-‐day celebration to remember God’s great victory over assimilation, the dedication of the Temple, and the miracle of the oil. There appears to be a future Hanukkah event described in II Thessalonians 2:3-‐8 where Paul writes about Jesus’ second coming. While this passage does not directly refer to the historical events of Hanukkah, it does carry the same themes of compromise, deliverance, and dedication. Notice… • Many will turn away from God—as many Jews did who followed Antiochus' Hellenism and as many believers have through the last two thousand years. • The “…son of perdition exalts himself above God…”—as Antiochus Epiphanies did and as many religious rulers, churches, and governments have done for the last two thousand years. • Jesus will destroy the son of perdition with the “…brightness of His coming…”—just as the lights of Hanukkah remind us of God’s great miraculous deliverance. • Yahweh will usher in His Kingdom with the overthrow of the “…lawless one…” in a miraculous way—just as Judah Maccabees stood against the lawlessness of Antiochus and great military miracles took place. When Jesus establishes His earthly Kingdom, lawlessness will be gone (Matthew 7:21-‐24).
Copyright © 2012 by David Snyder and Twenty Six Eight. All Rights Reserved.
