Beyond the Broadcast: Our Bold New Season Begins. Watch Now ->
Beyond the Broadcast: Our Bold New Season Begins. Watch Now ->
As we look at Chanukah and its miracle of light, we can’t forget the remarkable fact that God uses us to shine His light to the world. He places His Spirit inside each one who puts their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. And His light in us reveals Him to those around us. When we love as the Bible commands us and serve selflessly as Jesus did, we display God’s goodness and point a hurting world to Him.
New Covenant Scriptures call us to live by the power of God’s Spirit in us rather than from our old nature and our own strength. As we do, we exhibit the characteristics of His Holy Spirit, and His marvelous light shines forth into a world darkened by sin. (See Galatians 5:16, 22–25 and 1 Peter 2:9).
On this seventh night of Chanukah, we give thanks for the honor of shining God’s light to a dark world.
Place seven candles in the Chanukah lampstand tonight, setting them in the holders from right to left. As you light the Shamash, recite the Messianic Jewish Chanukah blessings:
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and has given us Yeshua the Messiah, the Light of the World.
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.
Using the Shamash, or Servant Candle, light the Chanukah candles in the opposite direction from which you placed them in the holders. Light them from left to right. Return the Shamash to its place. Let the candles go out on their own. They should burn for a least half an hour.
“For once you were in darkness, but now in union with the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light” (Ephesian 5:8).
Father of Lights, thank You for giving us Your Spirit and the privilege of revealing You to others as You live in us. Help us to abide in You, remaining close so that we will walk each day by Your Spirit, not falling into the ways of our old nature. May we seek Your presence hour by hour and lean in to hear Your voice. Help us to be quick to obey You so that nothing hinders Your light from shining brightly through us to a world starving for light.
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