Every holiday season, a curious question pops up: which came first, Hanukkah or Christmas? However, the answer is clear: Hanukkah must have come first — because even Jesus Himself celebrated it and it occurred about 163 years before His birth.
John 10:22 tells us that Jesus traveled from Galilee to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Dedication, known today as Hanukkah. He was there with His disciples, walking among the people, and teaching in the temple. This reminds us that Hanukkah is not only a historical event, but part of the spiritual story of Israel and the biblical world in which Jesus lived and ministered.
Hanukkah began about 163 years before the birth of Christ. It commemorates a time when a small group of faithful Jewish people refused to give up their faith. Foreign rulers had taken control of the land and tried to force the people of Israel to abandon God’s commandments, stop worship in the Temple, and adopt practices that went against the Word of God. The Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated, and obedience to God’s law was forbidden.
Instead of surrendering, a small group, the Maccabees, rose up with courage and faith. They were not a large or powerful army, but they were determined to remain faithful to God. Against overwhelming odds and through God’s intervention, the Temple was reclaimed and purified. Worship was then restored, and Israel experienced a miraculous victory. This is why Hanukkah is remembered as a feast of freedom, victory, and light — a reminder that God is faithful even when His people seem weak or outnumbered.
During Hanukkah, candles are lit each night across Israel. Homes, streets, and public places glow with light. Families pray together, blessings are spoken, and people remember the miracles of God. In Hebrew, the word “nes” means “miracle,” and from early childhood every Israeli grows up hearing about God’s supernatural intervention.
This is also a season when many people are quietly waiting for their own miracle. They are praying for healing, provision, restored relationships, direction, and hope. Hanukkah reminds us that God’s light shines brightest in dark moments and that He is still at work today.
In Israel, the celebration of Hanukkah often overlaps with Christmas and the New Year. The atmosphere changes. The country is decorated, people bless one another more freely, and hearts are more open. There is a sense of expectation — a readiness to believe again in God’s goodness.
Jesus was born in Israel and became the Light of the nations. He is the representation of Hanukkah as the light born to show the path to restoration with the Father. As we serve Him, we pray to be a light in this land and to the nations — reflecting His love through faith, prayer, and compassion.
Happy celebrations from our teams in Israel and from Voice of Judah Israel. And if you have Jewish or Israeli friends, take a moment to wish them a joyful and blessed chag orim sameach (pronounced KHAHG oh-REEM sah-MAY-ahk) or just simple say… Happy Hanukkah!
Shalom and many blessings!