The holy days of Hanukkah are celebrated in the Jewish community but are disconnected from our Christian faith. If we understand history and prophecy, the days become much more than a holiday near Christmas. Jewish days are God's time fulfilling God's plan.

Hanukkah History

After the reign of Alexander the Great, the Greek empire was divided by four of his generals. Greek Egypt ruled Judea but through a series of civil wars, Greek Syria took control of the region. On the 15th of Kislev, 168 BC, the army of Antiochus IV set up an image of the Greek pagan god Zeus in the Jewish temple and sacrificed pigs. Hellenized Jews ate the pigs but Jewish priest Mattathias refused and led a revolt against Greek Syria. After 1150 days, Mattathias' son, Judas Maccabee, recaptured the Jewish temple. On the 25th of Kislev, 165 BC, they rededicated the temple. There was one day of oil for the menorah but the oil lasted eight days. Each year, the Jews celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah to remember the victory over Greek Syria and the miracle of the oil. 

They shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate (Daniel 11:31).

Hanukkah and Christmas

One spring day in Sivan (June) of 8 BC, Zachariah the priest was in the Jewish temple and encountered the angel Gabriel. His family division of Abijah was selected eighth so along with the feasts of Unleavened Bread, he served at the temple in the ninth week (Weeks/Pentecost) and tenth week (Abijah) of the Jewish year. Six months later in Kislev (December), Gabriel told Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah. On the 25th of Kislev during Hanukkah or December 24-25 of ~8 BC, Jesus Christ was incarnated. Both Hanukkah and Tabernacles are called the Feast of Lights and Feast of Dedication. Jesus Christ was conceived on Hanukkah and nine months later, born on Trumpets or Tabernacles.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, you that are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word (Luke 1:26-28, 38).

Christmas Star: Jupiter and Saturn form a rare close conjunction on the evening of December 21, 2020. The Christmas Star (Jupiter conjunction) appeared on the birth of Jesus Christ in Tishri. The Bethlehem Star was seen by the wise men over a year later. See Jupiter and Saturn and Great Conjunction.

Hanukkah and Our Time

During World War I, British General Edmund Allenby miraculously captured the Ottoman city of Jerusalem on December 9, 1918 without a fight. Two days later on the 25th of Kislev (Hanukkah), he walked into Jerusalem in honor of the Holy City. Thirty years later on the 5th of Iyar (May 14, 1948), the United Kingdom voluntarily surrendered control and the State of Israel was born.

Hanukkah and the Millennium

In the Future, the Rapture occurs on the 1st of Tishri (Trumpets). The Tribulation is seven years. Ten kings reign part of the first half and Antichrist reigns the second half (Revelation 12:6). The Second Coming occurs on the 10th of Tishri (Atonement). Daniel 12 gives 75 days. The reign, of Jesus Christ begins with eight days of coronation overlaping thirty days of mourning (Deuteronomy 34:8), forty-five days of judgment (Matthew 25:31-33), earth restored (Isaiah 11:6) and fourth Jewish temple is dedicated on Hanukkah, not birthday but incarnation of Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 44:4).

He (Antichrist) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time [3½ years, 42 months or 1260 days] (Daniel 7:25).

From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be 1290 days. Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the 1335 days. (Daniel 12:11-12).

In 2020, Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 10 and ends on the evening of December 18. Jesus Christ was conceived on Hanukkah, born on Tabernacles, returns on Atonement, reigns on Tabernacles and circles back to Hanukkah, God with us (Revelation 21:3).

The minor Jewish holy days of Hanukkah started as a little miracle of light but have become a great celebration of the Light of the World and a future prophecy of the reign of Jesus Christ.

References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq War & End Wars Chapter 16 - Life of Christ, First Coming, Calendar, Jewish Calendar, Revelation Outline, Covenant, Tribulation, Revelation, 21st Century View, Daniel, America, Timeline of the Tribulation, Hanukkah