Is Hanukkah (Christmaskah) something Christians should celebrate?

TL;DR:

Christians are neither commanded nor restricted from celebrating Hanukkah. Whether we celebrate Hanukkah or not, our focus should be honoring God and reflecting the Light of Christ in our lives.

The only reference to Hanukkah is found in John 10:22-23, which says: “At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.” Working off this information, it appears Jesus celebrated Hanukkah as part of participating in Jewish life and customs. Hanukkah may remain an important and meaningful holiday for Jewish believers, but celebrating it is a matter of personal conviction. Romans 14:5-6 sheds some light on such a topic when Paul indicates that some matters are left to personal conscience. This doesn’t mean that every situation is a matter of conscience; the Bible clearly identifies certain behavior as sinful (1 Corinthians 6:9) ” But in matters where the Bible is silent or neutral, we can participate or refrain according to our conscience. Moreover, positions based on merely our conscience should not be forced on others nor be a stumbling block to their conscience (1 Corinthians 8). No matter which holiday we choose to celebrate, we should honor God on that day as well as every other day.

from the old testament

Hanukkah is not discussed in the Old Testament. But because the Old Testament covers the Mosaic Covenant, it’s useful to point out that not all holidays from that old covenant are morally neutral for Christians. For instance, Christians should not celebrate the Day of Atonement spoken of in Leviticus 16 because Jesus atoned for our sins, so no other yearly day for atonement is needed. To celebrate it would be to return to the shadow (yearly sacrifices to atone for sins) when we already have the substance (Jesus).

from the new testament

John 10:22-23 states that Jesus was at the Jewish temple at the Feast of Dedication (another name for Hanukkah). While it appeared Jesus celebrated this holiday, it doesn’t say in Scripture that we have to.
The apostle Paul offered much insight regarding the personal convictions that can be applied in the celebration of special days like Hanukkah (Romans 14:5-6). We should honor God with our actions whether we choose to celebrate Hanukkah or not.
In 1 Corinthians 8 Paul makes it clear that we are not to let what we do be a spiritual stumbling block to others. We wouldn’t be demonstrating godliness to pressure others into or restrict others from celebrating Hanukkah if they are trying to follow their conscience.

implications for today

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights marked by an eight-day celebration that begins on the 25th day of Kislev on the Jewish calendar (between November or December in the Gregorian calendar). It is one of the best-known Jewish holidays in the Western world due to its proximity to Christmas.

Historically, Hanukkah commemorates the acts of the Jewish Maccabees. The Maccabees successfully defeated a Syrian army that had left the Jewish temple defiled. On Kislev 25, circa 165 or 164 BC, the Maccabees cleansed the temple and rededicated it to the Lord. The temple had previously been desecrated with the inclusion of a Hellenistic priest, the sacrifice of non-kosher pigs on the altar, and other practices contrary to Jewish teachings. The Maccabees changed this dishonorable past by their rededication of the temple to the Lord and restoring the Jewish temple customs.

According to historical tradition, when it was time to light the menorah lampstand in the temple, only one small jar of priestly oil could be found. This oil miraculously burned for eight days until more could be provided. This led to the tradition of an eight-day Hanukkah that included the lighting of one candle each of the eight days on a menorah each night.

Ultimately, celebrating Hanukkah is a personal decision. If we do celebrate the holiday, we can reflect on Jesus’ words: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Our highest goal as believers is to follow Him and to share this Light of the world with others.

understand

Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday that falls near Christmas and celebrates the acts of the Jewish Maccabees, which includes the miracle of the temple lights burning eight days on one day’s oil.
The Bible implies that Jesus probably participated in the Hanukkah holiday (like other Jews of the time), but it doesn’t encourage or forbid Christians from celebrating it.
Celebrating Hanukkah is a matter of conscience, so Christians shouldn’t pressure or deter others from following their conscience.

reflect

Has your conscience ever guided you to refrain or participate in something that the Bible is morally neutral about?
What can be of value in celebrating Hanukkah?
How do you ensure that you’re glorifying God in all the events/holidays you participate in?

engage

How might Christians’ participation in Hanukkah be an opportunity for evangelistic outreach?
How can Christians respect others’ conscience while also not violating their own?
How can we honor our conscience while also being a light to the world?