I had the privilege of growing up in an interfaith family.  My mother was raised in an evangelical church and my father is Jewish.  Our family attended a Unitarian church for the first thirteen years of my life.  Although we didn't practice much of either of my parents' religions, we did celebrate the holidays.  One of my fondest childhood memories is of lighting the menorah with my father's parents.

When I was in high school, I began attending a Messianic Jewish congregation.  I had already put my faith in Jesus through an evangelical Presbyterian church, but I knew very little about my Jewish heritage.  The first winter that I was there, I celebrated the full eight days of Hanukkah with my Messianic friends.

Hanukkah is a wonderful holiday.  If you're unfamiliar with the story, it goes like this:  During what we Christians call the intertestamental period (between Malachi and Matthew), Antiochus IV captured Jerusalem around 170 BCE.  The temple was looted, and the practice of Judaism was criminalized.  In 165 BCE, the Jews revolted and the temple was reclaimed.  When the temple was cleansed and rededicated, the lamp (menorah) was re-lit.  There was only enough for one night, but it lasted for eight.

The first time I celebrated Hanukkah as a Christian, I learned that Jesus celebrated, too.  It's only mentioned briefly, but John 10:22-23 says,
<blockquote>Then came the Festival of Dedicationat Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.</blockquote>
When we lit the menorah together, the youth leaders and parents talked with us about what it means to followers of Christ that we celebrate the holiday.  The menorah has not eight but nine candles.  The ninth, which is either raised or set apart from the others, is called the <em>shamash</em>.  The word means "attendant" or "servant."    The <em>shamash </em>is used to light the other candles, for the purpose of publicly displaying the story of Hanukkah.  For those of us who also follow Christ, this has beautiful symbolism.  Jesus, the servant, gives light to us.  As Jesus said,
<blockquote><span style="color: #000000;font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="color: #ff0000">"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." </span></span><span style="color: #000000;font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">(John 8:12, NIV)</span></blockquote>
When the menorah is lit, many people display it in the window.  The purpose of the candles is to visually represent the story.  In the same way, Christians are to love others and through our actions be the light of Christ.
<blockquote><span style="color: #ff0000">"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."</span> (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)</blockquote>
Every year, our family celebrates the traditions of our heritage.  We light an advent wreath, and every day during December we tell the story of Jesus' humble birth in the stable.  We also tell the story of Hanukkah and light the menorah.  We teach our children that they have a rich, wonderful heritage and that we should not forget the miracles which the Lord performed for our ancestors (which is, in fact, one of the traditional Hanukkah blessings).  Our candles burn in the window to tell the world that we love and honor our God and that we cherish our faith history.

May you experience many blessings during this holiday season.