"HAG SAMAYACH! MOADIM LE SIMCHA!"

Two Hebrew greetings each means "Happy Holidays and a Blessed Celebration!"

And it is a blessed celebration! We are pleased to announce that we have obtained a teaching center at 504 East Yandell in El Paso! Please pray as we endeavor to prepare for our new center. Immediate needs: carpet, paint and VOLUNTEERS. We will need a screen, projectors (video, overhead and slide) preferably remote controlled, as the building is quite large. Computer, phones, office equipment and supplies. Among the many expenses involved in opening a new center – deposits and hook-up fees for electricity ($137), gas ($120) and telephone ($71.90 – transfer fee). We thank God for St. Clements for providing the center at a nominal fee. God is faithful and so are His people.

"Hag Samayach!
Moadim Le Simcha!"

Well, the above greetings are in order for this end of year "Festive Season." In several past newsletters we examined the historical origins of Hanukkah. Of course the references to the historical Book of Macabbees, the Talmud account of the miracle of the oil, and the New Covenant reference to John 10:22 about Messiah Yeshua at the Feast of Dedication Hanukkah, were discussed. This year we’ll look at the...

The olive tree, its fruit and its oil have always been Biblical symbols of blessing. Olive oil was used as an ointment for healing, for lamps as fuel, as a lubricant especially for the skin, and for ritual anointing. See Gen 28:18; 35:14; Ex 25:6; 27:20; 29:2, 7, 21; 30:25-26; 35:8; Mt 25:3; Mk 6:13; Lk 7:46; 10:34; Heb 1:9; James 5:14-15.

Olive oil is particularly used in scripture as a symbol of God’s favor. Gen 8:11 Noah’s dove returns with an olive leaf. All of the oil mentioned in Torah is olive. King Solomon’s Temple featured finely carved olive wood. In Rom 11:17 Rav Shaul/Paul compares Israel to a cultured olive tree, into which the branch from a "wild" olive is grafted. Note: this does NOT refer to rabbinical ritual Judaism, but to FAITH. See Rom 11:27, 31-36. The promise was to Abraham – Gen 22:18; 26:4; Ps 2:8 – (while he was still a Gentile! Gen 17:5-6.)

So the idea of The ANOINTED points to a Person who then can be recognized as the Mashiach (Hebrew) i.e. Anointed One/Christos (Greek).

Moses, Aaron and the priests, David, Isaiah, etc. were anointed ones – and indeed, were anointed with olive oil.
Ex 28:41; 29:7; I Sam 10:1; 16:13; I Kings 1:39; II Kings 9:3, 6; 11:12; Ps 45:7;
Ps 133:2; Mk 6:13.

Regarding the unity in the Spirit – Ps 133:2 "It is like the precious anointment (oil) (poured) upon the head of Aaron that ran down upon his beard down to the skirts of his garments." Symbolically, as high priest, he was saturated with the oil of anointing. Regarding Yeshua as the ultimate high priest, Jn 3:34 the Spirit would be poured upon the anointed Messiah (saturated as Aaron was with oil) "not by measure" but total anointing. See also Mt 3:16.

As Oil Fuels Lamplight – The Spirit Illumines the Messianic Light

Let’s look at this important factor – why is the ANOINTED ONE so important for us to comprehend? Messiah is to be HA Mashiach = i.e. THE Anointed. Gen 1:3-4 God spoke light into creation and declared it to be good. He "separated" it from darkness. Ex 10:22-23 In Egyptian bondage the Israelites had light in their dwellings even in the thick darkness. Ex 13:2 The pillar of cloud and fire gave light to Israel. Ex 14:20 The Israelites had light, but to the Egyptians IT WAS DARK! Ex 25:37 The golden menorah/lampstand gave oil-fed light in the dark sanctuary, a picture/portrait of Messiah!

Isa 2:5 "Oh House of Jacob, come, and let us walk in the Light of the Lord!" Isa 9:2 makes more reference to this.

A Messianic reference is found in Isa 43:6-10 describing how this light would be (A GREAT LIGHT) to the Gentiles/Nations. In verse 7 signs and wonders of healing and freedom from bondage. Interestingly Isa 42:6 combines the words Light to the Gentiles with "that you may be my Yeshua (Hebrew for) Salvation to the end of the earth."

Isa 60:1-3 describes how God’s Light (Messiah) would shine upon the believer in gross darkness. This is obvious if we realize the things going on around us. "But the Lord will arise upon you – AND HIS GLORY WILL BE SEEN UPON YOU (and then) the Gentiles will come INTO YOUR LIGHT (and even) rulers to the brightness of YOUR RISING – He will be recognized by kings and rulers as Lord of Lords and King of Kings – Hebrew-Ha Melech Ha Mashiach = KING MESSIAH i.e. The Anointed King. See also Mt 4:16-17; 5:14-15.

How Do We Continue in that Light?

On the Hanukiyah/Hanukkah menorah, we light all the lights from one special candle called the shammas i.e. the servant. He – Messiah – IS the servant who causes us to be lights to others. Mt 5:14-16; Jn 1:9; 3:19; 8:12. "Let your light shine so others will see (you in action) and then they’ll be willing to glorify your Father in Heaven." Mt 5:16.

When Yeshua was transfigured, before His resurrection, up on a high mountain, He was seen by Peter, James and John "to shine as the sun, and his clothing was white as the Light." See Lk 2:25. As God had promised him, Simeon in the Temple recognized, through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the baby Yeshua at his PIDYON HA BEN i.e. Dedication of the Firstborn Son, and knew – he had seen "Your Salvation/ Yeshua, a LIGHT to the Gentiles and to the glory of your people Israel." Lk 2:30-32.

How obvious does the book of Hebrew become! Heb 1:9 "… God anointed you with the OIL of gladness." Isa 61:1-3; Lk 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. He has ANOINTED Me to preach the Good News." Acts 10:38 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit.
We’ll close our teaching with this hope. We’ll also close our ears to those who condemn the Christian traditions. These people are "spoilers," they cause an unwholesomeness to the beauty of the Jewish and Christian traditions i.e. the coming of "The Light of the World into the world."

It is true that "Christmas" has some ‘alleged’ ties with the Roman Festival of 25th December. It is ALSO true that for nearly 2,165 years Jewish people have expressed the hope at Hanukkah of His Coming/Light of the world!

Jn 10:22-23 tells us Yeshua was in the Temple at the Feast of Dedication i.e. Hanukkah. The Judeans challenged Him to prove His Messiah-ship. Of course, He challenged back with their lack of belief.

During the Roman Solstice Festival, all within the Roman-occupied Empire were mandated to pay tribute to the Roman Caesar. Everyone was required to place an offering to the "divine" emperor and was also required to join in the pagan, idolatrous and orgiastic celebrations.

Of course, Jewish, Messianics and Christians COULD NOT and WOULD NOT comply. However, they needed to avoid the death penalty for refusal to participate, so they joined the festivity openly. But they were celebrating the 25th of Kislev, the Hebrew first day up to the eighth day, of the Light of the World/ Hanukkah. The Orthodox/traditional Jewish people celebrated the Hope of His Coming. The Messianic Jews and Christians celebrated His ACTUAL incarnate advent as well as His crucifixion and resurrection.

Amazingly, these two dates 25th December and 25th Kislev are usually very close together! So it is NOT inconceivable that His (Yeshua’s) birth (if not the ACTUAL date) was celebrated at this time. Many conjecture His birth at "such and such a time." What is important is that HE CAME and WILL COME AGAIN. Jn 14:3, 28; Acts 1:11.

As for those who continue to put people into confusion and legalism – ignore such.
Rom 14:1 "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, BUT NOT TO DOUBTFUL DISPUTATIONS (false concepts)." Also Rom 10:2-10 applies here as well! Mt 15:14 regarding gifts.

Explanation: Some have taught that giving of gifts was Roman/pagan tradition. However, it was practiced by the Hebrews. See Gen 25:6 – Abraham; Ex 28:38 – Aaron; Lev 23:38 – Israelites; Esther 9:22 – Hanukkah; Mt 2:11 – wise men gifts for Yeshua/Jesus; Mt 7:11 – a quotation by Jesus about giving gifts to our loved ones.

So – Enjoy our wonderful Gift – Yeshua!

Enjoy the Grace only He imparts.
Enjoy God’s providential Love.
Enjoy the Gifts of the Spirit of God.
and Love one another as Yeshua has loved us and
commanded us to do likewise toward each other.

Shalom U V’Racha, B’ Shem Yeshua Ha Mashiach,
Peace and blessing (to you) in the Name of Jesus the Messiah.