How blessed we are to be awakened each morning to walk in the glorious light of our Lord, experiencing the warmth of His love and faithfulness. The Scriptures tell us that a time is coming when some will abandon the faith and turn from the One who has always shown Himself  to be faithful, loving and true (reference 1 Timothy 4:1). While the light of Christ is in the world (reference John 12:35-36), and, we, as His ambassadors of light are enabled to do His work, we must become intentional about walking in the light of His Word and faithful in sharing His light with those who are still in the dark. "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12). 

LIGHTING THE CANDLE

Dedication Ceremony

Tonight we will light a sixth candle in our Festival of Lights dedication ceremony. 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). 

As we daily surrender our will to the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we have seen visually, through the lighting of each candle, the divine results of our reliance and trust in God. He produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness and goodness in our lives enabling us to realize more fully that the work He is doing in us is to reveal Himself to the world through us - making the invisible, visible!  This is the work of a faithful and loving God who desires to transform His children into fruitful and faithful servants who radiate His light!  Tonight we ignite the sixth candle - the fruit of faith. "But the fruit of the Spirit is...FAITHFULNESS" (Galatians 5:22).

If you have gathered your family together for this dedication ceremony you will need enough helpers to light tonight's six candles (or have each person light a couple of 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 sixth candle, then the fifth, the fourth, the third, 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 Six candle read Romans 1:16-17,

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:  first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.' "

PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT

Devotional

Read the following devotional to your family.

There is no greater joy than sharing the light and love of Christ with another person. When we first began our journey we saw the initial candles cast a soft glow as the presence of the Holy Spirit ignited the flame of the fruit of "love", "joy", and "peace" in our lives. As we continued, that burning fire within was kindled to create fruit that illuminated even darker shadows because it was casting a stronger glow that could reach others with the fruit of "patience", "gentleness", and "goodness". The light now radiates brilliantly and we are now more fully aware of God's working in our lives, His power has become more evident and our "faith" in Him is becoming more firm.

We have seen the light of the Lord; and like Moses who stood amazed at the radiance of the burning bush, becoming intimately acquainted with "Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27b), we don't want His glorious light to leave us. Unlike Moses, we, however, are no longer restricted by a veil, because we, "who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord, who revealed Himself to Moses as the "compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." (Exodus 34:6) reveals His faithfulness morning by morning to His children desiring that our faith would be made more firm.

When Jesus was on the earth He marveled at both the great faith displayed by the centurion (reference Luke 7:9) and the lack of faith He found in Nazareth (Mark 6:6). Because the centurion displayed great faith, his servant was healed; but because of their unbelief, the people of Nazareth missed out on the miracles of God. The Lord desires to build our faith, so that we, like the centurion, will be used to meet the specific needs of the people He has connected our lives with. Genuine faith is evidenced by action (reference James 2:17-18). Just as the faithfulness of God is displayed in His acts of love, so, too, our faith is made more complete in our loving service to others (reference James 2:22-24). "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love..." (1 Thessalonians 1:3). May we daily abide in Christ, experiencing His faithful provision and presence, so that we will be found faithful feeding a spiritually starved world. "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for the servant whose master finds him doing so when He returns." (Matthew 24:45). May He return to find faith on earth because His saints have remained faithful (reference Luke 18:8)! 

Remember, "You are the light of the world!" As you continue to radiate His light "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ..." (Philemon 1:6). My dear friends, "now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful..." (1 Corinthians 4:2). Keep shining!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, "Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies" (Psalm 36:5). "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth" (Psalm 57:11). "For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100:5). "The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones" (Psalm 89:5). "I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the assembly" (Psalm 40:10). "O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago" (Isaiah 25:1). "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself" (Psalm 89:1,2). "I will proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night" (Psalm 92:2). "For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever" (Psalm 117:2). "Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness" (Psalm 115:1). "Great is your faithfulness!" (Lamentations 3:21). May You return to find great faith on this earth (reference Luke 18:8). As we await Your coming we will faithfully exalt Your name and proclaim your goodness until the whole world sees the light of Your glory in grace.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

BLESSING 

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

John 1:16

Tonight, as you come to the time of blessing, take time to share how God has been faithful to provide and bless your family this year. Ask your children if they might have an example to share.  There is no greater way to help build our children’s faith than to for them to see the results of faith in action as it is expressed through the wonderful provision of God and the opportunity you have had this past year to bless others out of the blessings you have received. This might be a good time to discuss a special way you can bless a family in need this Christmas. "You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did" (James 2:22).

You may continue 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

"Praise the LORD.  How good it is to sing praises to our God,

how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!"

Psalm 147:1

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 All Ye Faithful." 

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