Chanukah is a holiday remembering miracles of old. As we light the candles and celebrate over the next eight nights, we’ll reflect on God’s mighty power to do the miraculous in Israel’s history and in our lives today. On this first night of Chanukah, we remember the Chanukah story and our God of miracles.
Messianic Jewish Chanukah Blessings – 1st Night
Place a candle in the far-right holder of your chanukiah. 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, 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.
Devotion
In the second century B.C.E., a great miracle happened in Jerusalem. Antiochus IV ruled over Israel and had seized control of the Temple, defiling 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. 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, priests 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.
From the Lord’s Word
“…Yeshua said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:26).
“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).
For Reflection and Discussion
- Have you witnessed a traditional miracle? What did God do?
- What wonders has God done for you that might also be considered miracles?
- What everyday miracles can you name?
On this first night of Chanukah, thank the Lord for the great things He has done in your life.
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.
