"You are the light of the world!"  These were the words Jesus used to describe His followers. The One who "wraps Himself in light" (Psalm 104:2) stepped down from His radiant throne, carrying His light into the world, to not only reveal His light, but also to provide opportunity for mankind to receive His glorious light so that they too might "shine like stars in the universe" (Philippians 2:15). "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

 

"The true light that gives light to every man" (John 1:9) personally provided the pathway out of the darkness into His glorious light; and we, who are now "light in the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8), are called to live as "children of the light...having nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather to expose them" (v.11). This is a task only possible so long as we remain close to the original flame of Christ. 

 

The Hanukkah Menorah looks very much like a tree with its eight branches extending from the main trunk, or candlestick, providing for us a picture of the relationship the Lord desires to have with all His children. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). As we live in God's light, we will become productive for His Kingdom. Not only living in the light but also characterized by the light.

LIGHTING THE CANDLE

Dedication Ceremony

  

You will need your Bible, and, the candles or Menorah we used last night.

 

As we light our first candle of the Menorah, we begin first by lighting the center candle  (as we did last night) - the "servant" or "guard" candle - which we will use to symbolize the Holy Spirit of God who is God's gift to believers; and is the indwelling power that is necessary to fuel the flame of Christ, and keep our hearts burning passionately for our Lord, enabling us to bear fruit  - fruit that will last (reference John 15:8, 16).

 

When we surrender our wills to the Holy Spirit, He fills us with God's love causing His flame to flourish and producing additional fruit that will nourish others and build the kingdom of God. All other fruit is an outgrowth of love, therefore, as we take the flame of the Holy Spirit , who guards our hearts, we ignite the first candle to the right - the fruit of JOY!

 

If your family is together for this dedication ceremony hand the "Shamash" or "servant" candle to another family member, alternating each night to give everyone an opportunity to participate, and say to them:

 

"You are the light of the world!" 

 

Have them face the Menorah (or candles you have set out) and ask them to light the first candle to their right (see Menorah above).  Then have them read 1 Peter 1:8 -

 

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

 

 

PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT

Devotional

 

Read the following devotional to your family.

 

When we light each candle we see how the light of Christ illuminates the darkness. We draw closer to the flame of Christ through prayer, studying the Word of God, and in fellowship with other believers. His flame is kindled as we learn to trust Him more and learn to surrender more fully to the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. As His light inside us grows, we become less fearful of the surrounding darkness of the world and those who choose to dwell in darkness, and our hearts become inflamed with His love and a longing burns inside us for those who are trapped in darkness to be brought into the glorious light of Christ. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).

 

Jesus Christ illuminated the path of life and has filled us with joy in His presence (reference Psalm 16:8; Acts 2:28). When we live in the light and love of Christ we experience "joy". Joy is the fruit of the Spirit (reference Galatians 5:22) and is representative of an "inward peace and sufficiency not affected by outward circumstances." As we abide in Christ and remain in His love we are filled with His joy. "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:11). Our joy, like John's, is dependent on Christ alone (His Salvation and the success of His kingdom), not on the triumphs or trials we experience each day.

 

We have cause for great joy because we have the hope of eternal life through faith in Christ. We can choose to be happy or not, but our joy as believers and followers of Jesus Christ is not dependent on our circumstances; it is the result of what Jesus did for us on the cross and continues to do for us through the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit. No matter how many  difficulties or challenges we have faced as a family in the past or may face in the future we have reason to rejoice because "the joy of the Lord is our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus Christ endured the most extreme suffering, but "for the joy set before Him endured the cross" for the good of mankind and the glory of God. We also then can, "Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2).

 

Through our trials the Lord is developing our character, molding us to be more like Jesus Christ, and producing His virtuous fruit in our lives. As we look at the flame of the candle, "let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2) and daily remember that He has wrapped us in His garment of Light, clothing us with the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we might experience the full measure of His joy (reference John 17:13) and radiate His light and love into the world!  Remember, "You are the light of the world!"

 

 

PRAYER

 

Heavenly Father, "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light" (Psalm 36:9).  "You are resplendent with light" (Psalm 76:4a). "Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness. For You are their glory and strength..." (Psalm 89: 15-17a). "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light" (Psalm 18:28). "Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O LORD" (Psalm 4:6). "I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. How great are Your works, O LORD, how profound Your thoughts!" (Psalm 92:4). "Your precepts give joy to my heart" (Psalm 19:8). "When Your words came I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight..." (Jeremiah 15:16). "You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in Your presence" (Psalm 16:11). "I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength..." (Habakkuk 3:18). God the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen.

 

 

BLESSING

 

"Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD"

Psalm 4:6

 

During the Hanukkah celebration blessings are recited and the Psalms are read (most notably Psalm 30, 67, and 91). As we consider the promises of God in His Word and all the spiritual blessings that are available to us through Christ there is no better gift that we can give each other than to speak those blessings into each other's lives. By offering a spoken blessing of God's Word, we fan the flame that is kindled inside each of us, allowing the Holy Spirit to build us up in love. The priestly blessing, recorded in Numbers 6:24-26, provides a beautiful way to express our desire to see the light of God's face shine with favor in the lives of our children, our spouse, family members, and friends.

 

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD  turn His face toward you

and give you peace."

 

To perform the blessing the head of the household places their hands on the head of each child, spouse, or family member (one at a time), and recites the priestly blessing over them. Additional prayers of blessing that are unique to each individual can be spoken as we progress each night of the dedication ceremony. Jesus Christ was the greatest Word ever spoke, as we follow Him through the lighted pathway of His Word (reference Psalm 119:105) we will lead others out of the darkness and set them high upon a lampstand so they too will radiate for the glory of God. By blessing each other with His Word we will bring healing to the heart and restoration to our families and ultimately to the Church!

 

PRAISE & WORSHIP

 

"Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name;

make His praise glorious! Say to God, 'How awesome are you deeds!

So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 

All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you,

they sing praise to your name " - Psalm 66:1

 

After lighting the Hanukkah Menorah and reciting a blessing, Jewish families will continue their celebration by singing songs. You might choose to close tonight's celebration by singing:  "Joy to the World!"  

 

Note: The candles are meant to only stay lit for a half hour. Be sure to extinguish the flame each night.