A TRADITION OF HANUKKAH

One thing that I enjoy doing with my family during the eight days of Hanukkah is to meditate on the scriptures. If you are looking for some meditations; I will be sharing some in this section of the blog this year.  Here is the meditation that we will be using for the first day of Hanukkah at our house:

MEDITATION FOR THE FIRST DAY OF HANUKKAH

Ephesians 5:8-11 – For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.) Providing what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6: But ye, brethren are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day, we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1 Peter 2:9 – But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

PONDERING THE MEANING OF THESE SCRIPTURES

Let’s stop and ponder the things that are written in the scriptures above. They are there to help us to see. They are there to bring us into the light.

Are we walking today as children of light?

Do we realize that as children of God we become part of a chosen generation, a holy priesthood, a holy nation?

Those who belong to God are a peculiar people. They are people who show forth an endless praise for God.

God has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light!

We are commanded to share that light with others.

But how so?

First we must fill our own hearts with The Light of Christ; before it can shine out to others.

We do this by moving closer to the light. With the great blessing of God’s Holy Spirit living inside of us; we can come much closer to God. That is exactly what God wants for us to do – come closer!

We are all God’s children and all Father’s long to spend time with their children. They welcome them into their arms and allow them to come closer.

DO WE RESEMBLE OUR FATHER?

Do you ever notice how much children favor their fathers?

Most fathers beam at that comment that their son or daughter looks just like them.

As we draw closer to Our Father; what do you think He wishes to see in us?

I suppose He is looking to see that we bear the fruits of goodness, righteousness and truth. These are the things that reflect Who He is.

Are we not all delighted whenever we look up one day to see that our children have taken on all of our good characteristics?

Is it not a marvelous thing to behold your own child imitating your own good deeds?

Now can you imagine how our God delights to see His nature living within us?

ENJOYING THE COMPANY OF OUR FAMILY

When we truly reflect The Father we have fellowship with The Light of The World; Jesus Christ. As we are out and about imitating Our Father and doing these things that bring God’s light into the world; Jesus longs to draw near to us because He enjoys our company too.

Do you love Him?

Do you love your bridegroom; Jesus?

He is returning for us one day. We must be ready!

We must be soberly watching and waiting and keeping The Light Of Christ burning inside our own hearts.

FATHERS HELP THEIR CHILDREN PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

Are you keeping oil in your lamp?

That oil will be needed to light the way to the coming wedding feast.

The oil is the constant filling of God’s Holy Spirit.

Keep an extra supply handy!

Be careful not to let that oil run out. You are going to need it very soon. That oil will provide the light that we need to get to where we are going. All we have to do to obtain it is to ask God to provide it. Don’t forget to ask.

GOD LOVES TO PROVIDE FOR HIS CHILDREN

It was God who provided the extra light for that first Hanukkah.

He will also provide light for the lamps we will carry to the wedding feast.

Our bodies are like living lamps that are filled with the oil of God’s Holy Spirit which will light the darkness and show the whole world the Light of the World; our Savior; Jesus Christ.

GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES ENOUGH

The miracle of the oil of Hanukkah is that the oil did not run out!

There was only enough oil (physically) for one day. Yet; the oil burned in the great lamps for eight days; allowing the people to worship in the Temple and experience The Glory of God for seven more days! This was seven more days than originally anticipated.

So never take The Light for granted.

Keep your lamp full of oil and keep the light going on where ever you find yourself living.

GO BE A MODERN-DAY LIGHT-BEARER

With the extra oil that God will give to our spirits as we all draw closer to Him in the Light; we can shine further into this dark world.

Everyone has need of The Light of Christ to shine through the darkness.

We are the light-bearers of today.

God’s Light-Bearer’s must keep the oil of God’s Holy Spirit flowing freely here on planet earth.

May the Light of Christ shine on you as you celebrate the first day of Hanukkah today.