It was not after victory that they rededicated the 2nd Temple.
It was in the middle of the Maccabean Revolt (167-160 BCE).
It was during their effort to resist the Seleucid occupation of their faith and culture.
Like Jeremiah buying a piece of property after announcing that they would be going into exile, it was a symbol of hope and a celebration of life in that hope.
The miracle was that. Oh, having a day's worth of oil last for eight days is not insignificant, to be sure, but it is in the hope of God's continued presence, power and provision that the miracle took place.
Resistance to Occupation and Oppression.
Light in Darkness.
Hope in Uncertainty and perhaps Despair.
Living Life, even celebrating it, even in desperate circumstances.
In the midst of it, folk still celebrate with the Hallel prayers and blessings, singing the Ma'oz Tzor, eating the Fried Foods (Latkes), playing the Dreidel games and giving gifts (Gelt). For eight days, they celebrate, give and live, letting their light shine in the darkness, the light of God in a dark world.
We need that spirit now, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. As numbers of those who have died rise and tensions mount, even with hope of (but not completion of) vaccination is seen, we light the candles or lamps, sing, dance, eat, recite prayers and blessings, play games and give gifts - we live. We must, as an act of faith and hope. We must live love and in joy. It is a revolutionary act.
We don't just celebrate victories as people of faith, we anticipate them in hope and faith. We celebrate life right here and now, in the midst of the struggle. We face adversity by living and celebrating life, even in it.
And we do it for those we've lost in it. We make it a remembrance of them - different this year, than when they were with us in it. We honor them, and memorialize them. It becomes a part of how we celebrate life in faith and hope.
For the eight days of Hanukkah, for the 12 days of Christmas, for the 7 days of Kwanzaa, for the 12 days of Epiphany... we will celebrate light in darkness, hope, joy, love, peace, and principles of community living. I hope you will also.
Have a Safe and Happy Hanukkah, everyone!
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