lynnbusby.com Bread for your hunger. Water for your thirst. Oil for your wounds. Strength for the journey in the desert.

and Merry Christmas

Life is a journey isn’t it? So too, our faith. We are meant to be changing, growing, transforming through our study of the scriptures and our daily venture to obey them.

Thus, a post about Hannukah. Sure, I knew about it. This year though, it means more. From now on I will be lighting the Hanukkiah. This is the menorah with nine branches instead of eight. I have been growing in longing for biblical foundations for my faith. I want to embrace the context of the Jewish roots of Christianity.

I have grown in my understanding of the vile nature of replacement theology. Judaism and Christianity are meant to be two branches of the same  root. Ephesians 2: 11  Therefore, keep in mind that once you—Gentiles in the flesh—were called “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision” (which is performed on flesh by hand). 12 At that time you were separate from Messiah, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Messiah Yeshua, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.

Christians have not replaced Israel as God’s chosen people. God established His covenant with Israel. He planted a tree of faith and agreement in one country in the earth. And then through Jesus, a JEWISH Savior, He opened His arms and included the rest of us. His plan is so incredibly beautiful. The way He planned to restore humanity from the fall in original sin.

Jews and Gentiles are different. Jews and Christians are different. We are not meant to mimic each other but find fulfillment in each other. I have eschewed the practice where Christians pretend to be Jewish. They think they must do everything, and sound just like our Jewish brothers. It is a heavy burden that, is unnecessary. We are not them and they are not us. We are brothers. We have the same Father.

I have embraced my Jewish roots as a believer in the Jewish Messiah more than some but not as much as others. I have learned about the Jewish Feasts but have not fully entered into celebrating them yet. This Hannukah, marks a change for me. I understand now,  how wonderful it is that I am allowed to celebrate it.

Christmas? I will not do away with celebrating it. I know where it falls short. We celebrate the birth of Jesus December 25. Many biblical scholars believe He was born in the fall near Passover. The exact date  was unknown. Unfortunately, the early church thought it would be okay to celebrate it near the shortest day of the year. To show that Light entered the world on the longest night of the year. December 25 was the date the Romans already had set apart as a celebration. Worship of the sun yes but a feast day nevertheless! Oy veh!

Celebrating the birth of Jesus on the wrong day with pagan attributes. Is that wrong? It is better than not celebrating it at all.

Christmas is also a time to be with family and remind them of our love. Nothing wrong with that. There is also an opportunity to introduce the real “reason for the season”. An inadequate cliche but cliches usually originate around truth.

So, I will now celebrate Hanukkah AND Christmas. It seems fitting to me, to celebrate Christ’s birth at Hanukkah. The brothers together for the holidays.

It comes to mind we are often told to lay some things aside and to take up others. I would like to do both. I want to lay aside the pagan and material. I also want to take up all the meaning the Jewish roots of Christianity offer.

Light of the world, you stepped down into darkness. Opened my eyes, let me see beauty that made my heart adore You.

Here is a video by my friend Connie Ness who explains Hanukkah or the “Feast of Dedication”

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