About 150 years before the coming of Christ, the Jewish people, under the leadership of Judas Maccabees, rebelled against the Greeks who were oppressing them. They had refused to allow the Jews to practice their religion, forced them to eat pork, and they could not circumcise their sons.  They had even installed a statue of Zeus in the Holy of Holies in the Temple.
   
Against all odds, the Maccabean rebels were successful at driving out the Greeks and reestablishing the Jewish nation of Judea. They also restored and rededicated the Temple. Part of the rededication was the lighting of the lamp that was to be kept burning constantly as a statement that God is present (as our sanctuary lamp is kept burning, acknowledging Christ’s presence in the tabernacle). Unfortunately, they only had enough oil to burn for one day. This was lit, and miraculously, it continued to burn for eight days, giving them enough time to get more oil for the lamp.
   
In honor of that miracle, the Jewish people celebrate the Feast of Hanukkah each year for eight days. This year, Hanukkah is celebrated from sunset, Dec. 25, until sunset, Jan. 2.