Jesus Christ was born into the world as a humble baby, a gentle lamb, wrapped in a garment of human flesh to take away the sin of the world. "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).

Our Savior came in love to display the full extent of His love by becoming the sacrificial lamb to atone for the sins of all mankind. "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Victory over sin and death was achieved as Jesus, our gentle lamb, laid down His life in humble obedience. One day all who believe will reign with Him in heaven where there will be no more darkness and "the glory of God will give it light, and the Lamb will be its lamp" (Revelation 1:23). He is our eternal life and light! As we face the trials and challenges of this earthly life may we be faithful to continue to carry His light into the world, with gentleness and humility, remembering that whatever the enemy has intended to bring us harm, or cause our light to be snuffed out, the Lord intended for good "to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

LIGHTING THE CANDLE

Dedication Ceremony

Tonight we begin our lighting ceremony with the lighting of the fourth candle. As we have done over the past few nights we first light the "servant" or "guard" candle - which will be used to light all the other candles. Representative of the Holy Spirit of God,  Who is God's gift to believers, this indwelling power is the necessary fuel that ignites our hearts for Christ, and keeps our hearts burning passionately for our Lord, enabling us to bear fruit  - fruit that will last (reference John 15:8, 16). 

The Holy Spirit of God burns within us the love of God. As we daily tap into His love, intentionally seeking to fulfill God's command to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:31), His flame of passion ignites the fruit of peace and joy and enables us to respond in love to others with the fruit of longsuffering and (as we will see in lighting the fourth candle) "gentleness". "But the fruit of the Spirit is...KINDNESS" (Galatians 5:23).

If you have gathered your family together for this dedication ceremony you may choose four helpers to light the candles. The head of household will light the "Shamash" (servant) candle and hand it to the first participant, saying:

"You are the light of the world!"

Each participant will then take turns facing the Menorah (or candles you have set out) and light the candles in order (first the new fourth candle, then the third, then the second, and finally the first candle) each time saying to the next participant, as they hand them the "servant" candle: 

"You are the light of the world!'

When the candles are lit have the person who ignited the Day Four candle read Ephesians 2:4-10:

"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace that you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT

Devotional

 Read the following devotional to your family.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is...KINDNESS" or "gentleness" as written in the King James Version of the Holy Bible. With each candle we have ignited we have seen the display of God's grace being poured out into our lives through the presence of the Holy Spirit of God. Only by His grace are we enabled to respond to others in love, and with patience (longsuffering) and kindness (gentleness). "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men..."  As we watch the flame of each candle burn brightly we recognize that we are simply recipients of God's power, through His Holy Spirit; but we must be willing vessels if God is going to set us high on a stand and allow His light to shine through us so that His salvation will be continually revealed through us for the world to see. 

In our devotional time yesterday we read from the Scriptures that the Lord, "is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). It is because of His kindness and love for us that He is patient with us, giving us every opportunity to come to repentance. Jesus Christ came into the world to save mankind from their sins - He is the Savior of the world and His plans and purposes have not changed. Because of His grace we are given the holy privilege of enduring the trials of this present world that we might share His kindness with others so they would also benefit from the same kindness that brought us to salvation. "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).

As children of God, who have been called to be "the light of the world" - we (the Church) are the visible representation of Christ in the world. While Jesus was in the world, He was the light of the world, and man tried to snuff out the light of God with persecutions, insults, accusations, and finally death. Jesus, however, responded with kindness and gentleness, as a gentle lamb, even as He faced the cross. He had come into the world "to do the will of [His Father] and to finish His work" (John 4:34). Every time we face criticism, hostility, or anger, we are called to radiate the light of Christ that burns within us and respond in the same manner that Jesus did. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). Our response of kindness and gentleness in the face of persecution will soften the blows and cause others to question the source of our restraint and peace. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience" (1 Peter 3:15). We are God's workmanship, and He created us especially for the work of carrying His torch and bearing His light.  Our mission is to draw others into the warmth of the flame of God so they can receive His glorious light and love, not to be burned by it! "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near" (Philippians 4:5).

Remember, "You are the light of the world!"  Therefore, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2), realizing that "it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:4).

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,  "I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us...according to His compassion and many kindnesses" (Isaiah 63:7). "I will boast that you are the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth" (Jeremiah 9:24). "You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great" (2 Samuel 22:36).  "...with everlasting kindness [you have had] compassion on [us]" (Isaiah 54:8). "Though the mountains be shaken and the hill be removed, [your] unfailing love for [us] will not be shaken nor [your] covenant of peace removed" (Isaiah 54:10). Lead us today, with your "cords of human kindness, with ties of love" (Hosea 11:4). You have shown us "the incomparable riches of your grace, expressed in your kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7), therefore, let our hearts now burn with compassion for the lost that they may also experience the kindness and gentleness of God through us, your humble and obedient servants. "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you" (Psalm 36:9, 10a). We praise you for your great mercy and grace that you have poured out upon us through the kindness and love of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray and give all the glory, honor, and praise. Amen.

BLESSING

"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another"

John 1:16

As the recipients of His most wondrous gift of grace we have the divine opportunity to bestow blessings on those we love out of the abundance of the riches of God’s grace. Our God is a kind and benevolent God who has shown us the incomparable riches of His grace through the kindness of Christ Jesus (reference Ephesians 2:7). Jesus came to us in love and with a gentle spirit calling us to follow His example. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2). As we bless the members of our family let us speak with gentleness and with words of kindness remembering that "Love is patient, love is kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4), and build one another up in love.

You may choose to use the framework of the priestly blessing provided in Numbers 6:24-26 to bless the members of your household, expanding the blessing to include other promises from God's Word that are specific to the needs of your children, spouse, or other family members.

"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, or on the shoulders, of each child, spouse, or family member (one at a time), and recites the priestly blessing over them (you can hold hands if you prefer.) 

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 one of your family's favorite Christmas carols or "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."

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

The Festival of Lights:  Put on the Armor of Light  © 2009, Traci A. Alexander

Trumpet and Torch Ministries    www.trumpetandtorch.org