If Christians are following Christ's example, should they celebrate Hanukkah instead of Christmas?

Question

Whoa Katie, go get 'em!

Answer 1

Wow, after reading the answers you've gotten I don't know where to start.

It says that Yahshua was in Jerusalem at the time of the feast of dedication (Hanukkah) that it was winter would be obvous. It never says that he observed or kept Hanukka.

If Yahshua kept Hannaka then he kept it as an American would the Fourth of July or Thanksgiving. Its a national holilday and is not required nor is included in the scriptures except for one brief mention. One breif mention is not enough of a witness to establish doctrine.

Should Christians keep Hanukkah instead of Christmas? NO!
But if they keep Hanukkah with a right understanding then it is not a sin. However to keep Christmas with any understanding is.

Hanukkah is basically a Jewish Holiday that has mostly Historical signifigance and not relilgious at all. I'm not sure where Sol Scripture finds Hanukkah is scripture unless they are using the catholic bible but there is no "Thus Saith YHVH." even there. It is not a commanded assembly.

I would agree with Katie about those who abuse God's law but remember that to keep Hanukkah as anything but a show of solidarity with our Jewish brethern marking the dedication of the temple (some historians believe that what they were doing was keeping the Feast of Tabernacles because they were unable to do so in the Fall.) after cleansing it from the abominations that the Greeks had committed there then they are breaking scripture by adding to the word of God and are not better than those who would keep Christmas.

However, There is evidence in the scripture that he would have been conceived on the first day of Hanukkah going by the courses of the priest and Johns Father and when he would have been serving in the temple and the fact that when Mary went to visit Elisabeth that Elisabeth was 6 months pregnant. Also it is the eigth day after conception that a fetus first has its own blood. How interesting Hanukkah "The festtival of lights" and Yahshua the light of the world and on the eigth day the blood that saves us first appears? This of course is conjecture and should not be confused with scripture nor held as doctrine. Its just a neat little thing.

Oh and by the way IF Yahshua was concieved on Hanukkah and he was actually observing the festival then he was keeping his birthday since in that culture at that time the time of conception was considered when you were born. Which is interesting when you think about the abortion issue.

Answer 2

I am a Christian and I celebrate Hanukkah! If you look at the menorah, it is the perfect symbol of the Bible. The Central candle in the traditional menorah is called the shamash (SP?) or Servant candle. It is the one that lights all the other candles. In comparison, Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus also came to serve not to be served.

Also note there are 4 candles on each side of the servant candle and they are to be lit... one more each night... from one end to the other. Jesus/YHWH gave the light first to the Jews and then after Christ was "lifted up" (yes, the servant candle is typically raised) it was then given to the gentiles.

The way they are to be placed is the opposite of the way they are to be lighted. (The first shall be last and the last shall be first)

Also, Jesus Celebrated Hanukkah!
"John 10:22 "Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade." (this Feast is Hanukkah)

Personally, I find a lot more Biblical evidence that we should celebrate Hanukkah than to celebrate Christmas. We see that Jesus was in the temple at that time, showing that He celebrated it. Also, we know when Hanukkah is because the Jews keep impeccable records. This is a celebration of how the Jewish nation was spared from annihilation by the Greeks.
Had the Jewish nation not been spared, Jesus could not have come to save us all!

Christmas on the other hand, we do not know when it was. If God wanted us to celebrate Christs birth, wouldn't He have let us know when it was? We can tell from the Scriptures that it wasn't in December for sure. The Shepard's were out tending their flock by night, this didn't happen in December in that region as it was the rainy season. They stopped this practice about October. So we KNOW it couldn't have been in December. The fact that Pagan traditions are the major foundation for the celebrations should further drive us away from celebrating Christmas.

EDIT TO KATIE: I am a Christian and I think Pork is dirty too! I don't eat it either! Sadly, I use NIV because it is easier for me to understand but I get it your way too. :-)

Answer 3

Well, few people understand what hanukkah even is, it is practiced by only a small percentage of the population so obviously christmas would be the holiday of choice for most. I can't say I ever even met a jewish person where I live until I was 21-- and waited on a guy at my store who had a star of david on his check. Seriously, in much of the US jewish people are such a small minority they are not understood at all.

Answer 4

Yes! Since Jesus was born in April or May anyway...Christmas was a pagan celebration before the time of Christ. It wasn't called Christmas until the Romans created the Catholic Church.

Answer 5

Well now that wouldn't be as much fun would it?? Christians decided to just "forget" the parts of Judaism that they didn't like and add some Paganism that was more fun when they invented Christianity. It's a load of crap. You wanna be like Christ? Follow Torah! And I'm not just talking about Hannukah either.....all these dirty pork-eaters running around. Shame on you!


In response to Ver_Jen: John 10:22 actually7 says "Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo's Colonnade."
I guess that just proves that Christians altered the bible to their liking.

Answer 6

We could certainly celebrate Hanukkah - but personally I don't see that as important an event (no offense intended) as the birth of the Messiah ,somehow, and even though I know Yeshua was not born on Dec. 25th, that is the day the church celebrates his birth, so..."Joy to the World."

Answer 7

Yes I do believe so.....you can tell this is derived from man's worldly tradition of celebrating Christmas.....but just the same, as christians we still celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as a Holy day...a day to rejoice....a day of giving....a day of receiving......a day of joy and happiness.....and a day of love. Isn't that what Jesus is all about? As long as we know the true meaning of what Christmas is all about, then I believe that's all that matters to God! He knows our hearts!!

Answer 8

Hi,
The answer to your question depends on were you are coming from.
If you asked God (ie through the scriptures) you would find nothing to suggest you should remember His birth or a Jewish ceremony..
The way God asks us to remember him is found in 1 Corinthians 11:26 and it is to do with the Breaking of bread and the partaking of wine, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he comes."
This is how we are asked to remember him.
Trust the helps.
Try www.ReadTheBible.com

Answer 9

Absolutely

Answer 10

No. Yeshua came and delivered us from all ceremonial laws, including all the feasts.

He died at the Passover.

In His preceding years, YES........ He would have celebrated the Hanukkah......... to fulfill the commandment to keep the three major feasts (Ex23) every year

If Christians celebrate Hanukkah, then it also obliges them to celebrate the Passover, and further slaughter lambs. To do so, when the Lord Yeshua had fulfilled it all in His Redemptive work, is ABOMINATION!

Yeshua NEVER celebrated Christmas........it is pagan origin.....paganos!!