Winter

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. (John 10:22-25)

The Old Testament contains references to winter, but here's the first one to give it as a time, and mentions a specific season that is important today. The feast of the dedication referred to the reconsecration of the temple following Antiochus Epiphanes' desecration -- a statue of Zeus on the altar and the sacrifice of pigs. The Maccabee family successfully led the fight, and the resulting cleansing of the temple. Oil for the menorah, part of the daily service in the temple, was sufficient for one day -- yet it burned through the eight days needed to purify a new supply of oil.

The celebration of this event is called Hanukka, or as Josephus said, The Feast of the Lights. It appears to move on our calendar because it is set for the 25th day of Kislev, part of the Jewish calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. That means Hanukka falls between November 28th and December 26th.

Could there be a more appropriate place for Jesus to affirm that He was the longed for, the awaited Messiah? There, in the temple dedicated to God, God's people asked Him "If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly."

"I told you, and ye believed not." When I imagine hearing those words while standing before His judgement seat, I tremble. For there are those I love who believe not, though He has told us plainly.

Just as secular Christmas celebrating has moved away from reflection on Christ's birth, the Feast of the Dedication has come to represent decorations, entertaining and gift giving -- neglecting the spiritual meaning.

Would it be possible for us to begin this year's celebrations with a reconsecration of our own lives? To return to what was meant to be a cleansing, a reconsecration of ourselves? For the temple that is God's:

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Spend some time in prayer to be certain God is this year's holiday celebrations.