In 168 B.C.E. the Syrians seized the Jews' holy temple in Jerusalem and dedicated it to the worship of Zeus. In Modin, a little village nearby, fighting broke out when a Greek soldier demanded that residents bow down to an idol and eat pork — actions forbidden to faithful Jews. Mattathius, a Jewish high priest, was ordered to take part in what he regarded as a pagan ceremony. He refused and became outraged.
Before the day was over, he had killed the Greek officer. His five sons and other villagers attacked and killed the other Greek soldiers. Then Mattathius and his band took refuge in nearby mountains where they joined up with other Jewish resistance fighters to oppose Greek soldiers whenever possible. Like all insurgents, they were a difficult force for a larger, conventional army to combat.
Later in nearby Jerusalem, Judah Maccabee, a Hebrew hero, led his soldiers into the temple and discovered that their holy place had been desecrated. Revered items had been stolen or demolished, including the golden menorah. Maccabee and his followers cleaned and restored the temple. When they finished, they decided to hold a great celebration and rededicate the temple to the worship of God.
They needed oil to light the menorah for the celebration. They searched the temple for oil but their search yielded only a small flask — enough for just one day's light. Then a miracle happened. The oil lasted for eight days. Today, Jews commemorate the miraculous eight days of light by lighting candles in an eight-day "Festival of Light." Dedication and Divine provision is the theme for this holiday. I like that.
Naturally, a great story like this stimulates our thoughts for today. We think of oil. It seems that the future of our planet is all about oil. Nations fight for the oil. People die for the oil. Some people have got oil and others have not. A small amount of oil can go a long way. Our minds spin with talk of oil. A dwindling oil supply does not necessarily put out the light.
The truth is that oil really isn't the main thing. Keeping the light burning is the main thing. Don't let the light go out; that is the big challenge. Keeping the light burning is what happens when religious dedication intersects Divine intention.
In our hearts we know that the old adage is true: "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." Hanukkah is a reminder for the Hebrew people and others who revere the story of the Chosen People that the oil is but a minor role player in the drama of the light. The star of the story is the God of the light. This is the way it always is for people who embrace biblical faith.
So, what do we pray for in this holiday season? Not for cheaper gas but for the end of wars over oil. The cost of gas and oil, when the loss of human life and our financial resources are factored in, is incalculable. Let us pray that, when the oil is inevitably gone, we will be able to better see the light.
Let us pray for religious maturity that lifts people of faith above the human inclination to sin. Let us pray that we will live up to the ideal of all the great living religions of the world — peace and harmony among people. Let us pray that mean-spirited religious people will have a little heart and a lot more grace. Let us yearn and work for peace. Let us pray that religious people who embrace the large, positive themes of their faiths will dedicate all their holy places to the God who hallows every place where Divine light is kindled and treasured.
As they say in southern Jerusalem, Happy Hanukkah, y'all!
Harold Bales is a semi-retired Methodist minister who lives in Kannapolis. He's also got a new book out and copies are available for sale. For more information, visit www.TheSouthernFriedPreacher.com. Send him an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
