Hanukkah in July

Plenty of Christian ministries (and even department stores) like to have a "Christmas in July" event of some sort. We're daring to be different here, in light of something we mentioned from Monday's first-place poker night.

We told a man there's more Biblical evidence for Jesus keeping Hanukkah, not Christmas. Why do we say that? For starters, the word "Christmas" isn't anywhere in standard Bibles. Nor is there any mention of Christmas celebrations in the New Testament church. But in John 10 we find this:

Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. - John 10:22-23

The NIV Study Bible says this refers to the "dedication.... of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in December, 165 B.C., after it had been profaned by Antiochus Epiphanes." The religious community commonly calls it Hanukkah today.

The following verses indicate a conversation between Jesus and Jews -- and nowhere does Jesus suggest they start keeping His birthday. But why would Jesus attend this event in the first place? Hebrews 7:14 offers the answer: "For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah...." In other words, the Messiah has a Jewish heritage!

If all this startles you (whether you're Christian or Jewish), we certainly understand. We've been challenged several times over the years about whether or not to celebrate Christmas. Our findings are in a lengthy Bible study -- a response to a Christian who himself went back and forth on the issue.

Maybe it's good that we're recommending this article now, so you have time to adjust possible year-end plans. Who knows -- you might gain more time for poker nights.