A great miracle happened in Jerusalem in the second century B.C.E. Antiochus IV ruled over Israel, seized control of the Temple and defiled it with idols. His soldiers violently persecuted the Jewish people forcing idol worship and brutalizing and killing those who refused.
A vastly outnumbered band of Jewish revolutionaries won back the Temple, and the people set out to cleanse and rededicate God’s holy sanctuary. Legend has it there was only enough undefiled oil to burn in the Temple lampstand for one day. It would take eight days to make and consecrate more. In faith, they lit the lamp, and God did a miracle, making that small amount of oil – dedicated to Him – last the entire eight days.
Throughout the Bible, God has shown His power to intervene and remedy impossible situations. And our Heavenly Father is still a God of miracles. He heals diseases and orchestrates provision through astonishing means. He diverts and delays people from the scene of tragedies, and He works in our hearts to transform our lives.
On this first night of Chanukah, we reflect on the God of miracles – lifting our praise and thanks to our Father, who draws the world to Himself through the wonders of His power and glory.
Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings – 1st Night
Place a candle in the far-right holder of your Chanukah lampstand. As you light the Shamash – or Servant Candle – recite the first night’s 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 performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.
Candle Lighting
Using the Shamash, or Servant Candle, light the first Chanukah candle. Return it to its place. Let the candles go out on their own. They should burn for a least half an hour.
Scripture Readings
“Behold, I am Adonai, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
“He has made His wonderful works to be remembered” (Psalm 111:4a NKJV).
Prayer
God of wonders, You are mighty, and You are glorious. Thank You for the Chanukah miracle and for revealing Your power and love to us through Your works. Thank You for still doing miracles today. Give us faith to believe You for big miracles and eyes to see smaller ones all around us. May You continue to do miracles in our hearts as You transform us into the image of Your Son, Jesus the Messiah.
