On Dec. 10 at sundown through Dec. 18 at sundown, we enter the season of Hanukkah or Festival of Dedication or Lights on the Hebrew calendar.
Jesus Himself was in Solomon’s Colonnade during this time, according to John 10:22-23, which reads, “The Feast of the Dedication was at Jerusalem, and it was winter. Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s Porch.”
This is a time where the Jewish people remember a family called the Maccabees who found one vial of oil that was left after the defilement of the temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Syrian ruler who had tried to force the Jews to abandon their laws. He put pigs on the altar and turned it to the worship of Zeus. Then, the Maccabees, led by Matthias and his five sons, fought back, and one of his sons, Judas, cleansed and rededicated the temple. The story goes that when the priests went into light the menorah, there was only enough oil for one day of burning, but when they used it, miraculously it burned for eight days. Eight is a spiritual number for new beginnings.
This is a time remembered on the Hebrew calendar where, no matter what pain comes against the temple, there is a miracle waiting to happen and a cleansing and rededication ready to abound. No matter how the world may be trying to put out your light, do not let it. A new beginning is awaiting us.
For those who believe in Jesus and are part of His body, we have Jesus who is the miracle oil in the temple, making every day new. He is the light of the world inside us, His temple and His church body as a whole. We must only dedicate our worship to Him, and our spirits will burn bright and we will come alive.
No matter what voices are trying to defile our temple or the church of Jesus Christ, we must stand up and let the light of the world be seen.
The prophet Isaiah tells us that the government is on Jesus’ shoulders: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).
John 1:1-5 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created. In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.”
During this time, we remember when His light shines, the darkness of the world will not overcome it.
We remember the story of the Festival of Lights and how the small vial of oil that was found in the temple after its destruction burned for eight days. Keep your light burning bright and your temple pure and holy, undefiled before the Father. Confess your sins quickly, as this keeps the devil from getting a foothold in your life. The joy of the Lord is your strength, and it’s the season for you to experience this joy.
If you are in a place of desperation or discouragement, speak life and love over yourself. Prophesy to your dry bones as you have not lost hope; you are not cut off, and if you speak, your bones will come alive (see Ezek. 37:11). When you do this, you will begin to operate from the position of knowing the power of the Father of lights Himself.
Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”
This is my challenge for you today: Live your life to the fullest! Laugh this holiday season—be merry. Then your light will shine so bright that demonic forces will flee. Angelic hosts will come and join you. Amazing! If the church is to be strong and healthy for 2021, we must get our bones in alignment and remain strong with a merry heart.
Keep your spirit uplifted. God is doing mighty things in the earth right now. Do not let your faith wane. Press forward. You are the one God is calling to change your environment. He wants you to have joy. He wants you to obtain an overwhelming sense of His love for you. Seek Him and receive who He is.
No matter what you are going through, take an action step of faith. Get that tree up; get those lights and garland out. Decorate your house. Light candles, and don’t let anything stop you from bringing forth this Christmas season. When you act in faith and do these things, then your light will shine so bright that the Holy Spirt will rule and reign in your home, and you will have angelic visitations. Angels are drawn to the light because they live around the throne of God, which is full of light, so when you light your home, they will come and fellowship with you. They will surround you with the joy of the Lord. Speak life and the Word of God, and the angels will respond to the Word.
It’s going to be a great December. Start celebrating Jesus, and then you will attract everything that you really want to see happen in your life. God is full of joy and full of light. He is on His throne with a colored rainbow and lapis lazuli above Him. His eyes are flames of fire; His feet are bronze, and glory-fire is all around Him. God is the light and lives in the light. You can have this in your temple too, and the angels will come and join you. Live by faith and all fear will flee.
Blessings from heaven are yours. Go and rejoice. It’s a season of rejoicing! Share this with a friend and get happy.
Please sign up for my new e-courses called Access God’s Glory Realm, Soul Transformation, and The Power of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. Enroll now and get this special Christmas offer, each a $149 value, for $49 apiece.{eoa}
Dr. Candice Smithyman is a prophetic revivalist and healing minister who is executive pastor of Freedom Destiny Church and vice president of Dream Mentors International. She is also host of the Glory Road television broadcast which showcases international prophetic voices and can be seen on Faith USA, UK and Africa, and other outlets. Dr. Candice has authored multiple books on soul transformation, healing, heavenly encounters and curriculum for secular and Christian coaching organizations. She also writes for online prophetic ministries such as Elijah List, Charisma, Global Prophetic Voice, Prophetic 365, Identity Network, and Spirit Fuel.
Ron Allen 
Gary Curtis 
