In a previous post I wrote, Purim Unmasked, I mentioned that we attended a Messianic congregation for a year starting in 2015. In that year we were introduced to not only to Purim, but also Hanukkah. In lieu of Hanukah, I find that people will forsake one aspect of something, only to accept it again through a different veneer. Many, giving up their Christmas traditions to then embrace them again through Hanukkah.
As I have previously stated, if traditions are rooted in paganism, or doctrines of men, then they should be forsaken. These are not my rules, but Yah’s.
Deuteronomy 12:30…Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” 31You must not worship the LORD(YHWH) your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD(YHWH) hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.(BSB)
So, what traditions are associated with this festival, are they approved by Yah, or are they repackaged traditions from the pagan festival Saturnalia?
The annual celebration of Hanukkah, or “festival of lights” is said to be based off the re-dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt, as recorded in 1 and 2 Maccabees. However, upon reading the account in Maccabees we see that the initial festival that they were celebrating was more of an amalgamation of the temple dedication, that you see within the accounts of Solomon and Nehemiah(1 Kings 8:65-66, Neh 8), and the Feast of Tabernacles(Lev 23) which lasts 8 days. However, after the celebration Judas Maccabees made a decree, a law to keep a new feast of tabernacles, also called “feast of dedication” in the month of Kislev.
•2 Maccabees 1:9 “And now see that you keep the Feast of Tabernacles in the month Kislev.”
•2 Maccabees 1:18 “Therefore whereas we are now purposed to keep the purification of the Temple upon the twenty fifth day of the month Kislev, we thought it necessary to notify you thereof, that ye also might keep it, as the of the feast tabernacles, and of the fire when Neḥemiah offered sacrifice, after that he had built the Temple, and the Slaughter-Place.”
This was something that was not done before, and if you read the account in both Solomon and Nehemiah they each had a separate time established for the temple dedication, and then went into the correct appointed time of the feast of tabernacles.
This was not approved, or appointed by God, as the only “second” feast appointed was second Passover as we see recorded in Numbers 9:1-14.
Josephus also records the events around this dedication in Antiquities of the Jews, 
Book 12 chapter 7, and says that from the time that Judas made this law that the festival also became known as the “festival of lights”:
7 “(323) Now Judas celebrated the festival of the restoration of the sacrifices of the temple for eight days; and omitted no sort of pleasures thereon: but he feasted them upon very rich and splendid sacrifices; and he honored God, and delighted them, by hymns and psalms. (324) Nay, they were so very glad at the revival of their customs, when after a long time of intermission, they unexpectedly had regained the freedom of their worship, that they made it a law for their posterity, that they should keep a festival, on account of the restoration of their temple worship, for eight days. (325) And from that time to this we celebrate this festival, and call it Lights.[Why do we call it lights?] I suppose the reason was, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us; and that thence was the name given to that festival.” 
Currently today, the Feast of Dedication/Hanukkah, or “festival of lights” is a festival that lasts eight days, with a candle lighting each day on a 9 branch menorah called a hanukkiah, as seen pictured above. The top or middle branch of the hanukkiah is called the shamash, and is the first candle to be lit, then is used to light or “illuminate” a different candle each day of the festival. Other festivities include gift giving, and playing the dreidel.
What light is really being shown through the “festival of lights”?
2 Cor 11:14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
PART 1. SATURNALIA
(Saturn-alia) is called “a festival of light” and is a pagan festival in honor of the god Saturn. Saturn was referred to as the “sun-star” and so there were many correlations historically and scripturally of the worship of Saturn/Sun. As you read, you will find many traditions that the majority of the winter solstice celebrations and traditions come from, such as Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. To note, both Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are called “Festival of Lights”, and have a very similar tradition of lighting of the candles.
“Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival in honour of the god Saturn, held on 17 December of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through to 23 December. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms: gambling was permitted, and masters provided table service for their slaves”
“The popularity of Saturnalia continued into the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, and as the Roman Empire came under Christian rule, many of its customs were recast into or at least influenced the seasonal celebrations surrounding Christmas and the New Year”
“Saturnalia is a festival of light leading to the winter solstice, with the abundant presence of candles symbolizing the quest for knowledge and truth.[8] The renewal of light and the coming of the new year was celebrated in the later Roman Empire at the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, the “Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia
The festival lasted 7 days, there was gift-giving, candle lighting, gambling, drinking, and basically a big party that included lewdness and debauchery.
HOW THE ROMANS CELEBRATED SATURNALIA
“During Saturnalia, work and business came to a halt. Schools and courts of law closed, and the normal social patterns were suspended.
People decorated their homes with wreaths and other greenery, and shed their traditional togas in favor of colorful clothes known as synthesis. Even slaves did not have to work during Saturnalia, but were allowed to participate in the festivities; in some cases, they sat at the head of the table while their masters served them.
Instead of working, Romans spent Saturnalia gambling, singing, playing music, feasting, socializing and giving each other gifts. Wax taper candles called cerei were common gifts during Saturnalia, to signify light returning after the solstice
On the last day of Saturnalia celebrations, known as the Sigillaria, many Romans gave their friends and loved ones small terracotta figurines known as signillaria, which may have referred back to older celebrations involving human sacrifice.” https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia
The god Saturn was also known to the Israelites as: Molech, Remphan and Chiun. To which they offered up their children as sacrifices.
♦2 Kings 17:17They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
♦Psalm 106:38They shed innocent blood–the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.
♦Jeremiah 32:35They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech–something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.
♦Amos 5:25Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? 26But ye have borne the TABERNACLE OF YOUR MOLOCH AND **CHIUN** YOUR IMAGES, THE STAR OF YOUR GOD, WHICH YE MADE TO YOURSELVES.27Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD(YHWH), whose name is The God of hosts.(KJV)
◄ Chiun ►
Smith’s Bible Dictionary
(a statue , PERHAPS OF SATURN), an idol made by the Israelites in the wilderness. [REMPHAN]
ATS Bible Dictionary
The name of an idol worshipped by the Israelites in the desert, Am 5:26 Acts 7:43. IT WAS MOST PROBABLY THE PLANET SATURN, WORSHIPPED BY EASTERN NATIONS AS AN EVIL SPIRIT TO BE PROPITIATED BY SACRIFICES. See REMPHAN.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Occurs only in Amos 5:26 (R.V. marg., “shrine”). The LXX. translated the word by Rhephan, which became corrupted into Remphan, as used by Stephen (Acts 7:43; but R.V., “Rephan”). PROBABLY THE PLANET SATURN IS INTENDED BY THE NAME. ASTROLOGERS REPRESENTED THIS PLANET AS BALEFUL IN ITS INFLUENCES, AND HENCE THE PHOENICIANS OFFERED TO IT HUMAN SACRIFICES, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN.
♦Acts 7:41And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. 42Then God turned, and gave them up to WORSHIP THE HOST OF HEAVEN; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? 43YEA, YE TOOK UP THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH, AND THE STAR OF YOUR GOD **REMPHAN**, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.(KJV)
◄ Remphan ►
ATS Bible Dictionary
An idol, the same as Chiun. Compare Am 5:26 Acts 7:43. See CHIUN.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
(Acts 7:43; R.V., “Rephan“). In Amos 5:26 the Hebrews Chiun (q.v.) is rendered by the LXX. “Rephan,” and this name is adopted by Luke in his narrative of the Acts. THESE NAMES REPRESENT THE STAR-GOD SATURN OR MOLOCH.
It is clear that that the star that the Israelites took up in the wilderness, was the star of Saturn, and the festive practices were simply an earlier rendition to what the Romans later practiced as Saturnalia.
Exodus 32:2 So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.”3 Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “O Israel, these are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”5WHEN AARON SAW THIS, HE BUILT AN ALTAR BEFORE THE CALF AND PROCLAIMED: “TOMORROW SHALL BE A FEAST to the LORD(YHWH).”6 SO THE NEXT DAY THEY AROSE, OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS, AND PRESENTED PEACE OFFERINGS. AND THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND GOT UP TO INDULGE IN REVELRY.(BSB)
This star, the star of Saturn, is also commonly referred to as the “star of David”, but nowhere in the Scriptures does it speak of such, but rather what I have already shared above. The hexagram, is considered one of the highest occultic/satanic symbols, and used often for rituals and human sacrifice. The inside of the hexagram, also makes a 2-D and 3-D cube.
This is called the black cube of Saturn. Saturn worship is found all over the world. In Mecca, at the center of Islamic worship and the holiest place in Islam, you will find this cube worship within the shrine called Kaaba, which means “cube” in Arabic. In Judaism, the tefillin worn, contains two black cube’s, one on the head, and the other on the arm.
Within the center of Judaism, or what is called the “soul” of Judaism is Kabbalah. Within Kabbalah you will find that this cube is also called Metatron’s cube. It is interesting to note, that when you place the two words Kaaba + Allah together they make Kabbalah.
Remember also those who deny the Son, do not have the Father:
1 John 2:22Who is the liar, except the one denying that יהושע (Yeshua/Jesus) is the Messiah? This is the anti-messiah, the one denying the Father and the Son. 23No one denying the Son has the Father. The one confessing the Son has the Father as well.(ISR 98)
Metaton’s cube, as also pictured below, consist of two triangles coming together, known within the occult as the divine feminine and divine masculine forming a sacred union. Within this sacred union formed also within the 10 sephirot of the Kabbalah tree, is known as Adam Kadmon, an androgynous being, often also referred to as metatron, the messiah and archangel of the Kabbalah.
Metatron comes from Kabbalah, and here is what Wikipedia says: “Metatron or Mattatron is a character mentioned in a few brief passages in the Aggadah and in mystical Kabbalistic texts within the Rabbinic literature. The name Metatron is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and how the name originated is a matter of debate. In folkloristic tradition, he is the highest of the angels and serves as the celestial scribe or “recording angel”.” Metatron is an archangel who’s throne of glory comes out of the center of the hexagram. 
This cube in retrospect is supposed to represent the dimensions of the holy place(holy of holies) of the temple of God, of which sat the ark of the covenant.
So satan creates a counterfit, also appearing as an angel of light… 43YEA, YE TOOK UP THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH, AND THE STAR OF YOUR GOD **REMPHAN**
PART 2. CANDLE LIGHTING
As I mentioned above, each day of Hanukkah, a light is to be lit on the 9 branch menorah called a hanukkiah. The top or middle branch of the hanukkiah is called the shamash, is the first to be lit, then all the others are “illuminated” through it. So you first light the shamash, and then the first night. It would look something like this:
During our service at the Messianic church they did this and recited this prayer:
“Blessed be the Lord our God, King of the Universe, who hast sanctified us by Thy commandments and enjoined us to kindle the Ḥanukkah lamp,”(Shab. 23a)
Now, where do you think this prayer is from?
The Talmud.
They even handed out little cards with this prayer on it, and when we got home, after reading it, I was quite upset, as Yah NEVER commanded in His Word that we are to kindle a hannukiah. For starters, a 9 branch menorah is not even biblical, nor was it kept in the temple. Yah’s temple had a 7 branch menorah.
Exodus 25:32And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
What about the name shamash, the first candle that is lit, to then “illuminate” all the others? Well, according to many researchers and ancient texts, among the Assyrians and Babylonians, the “sun”-god was the well-known figure Shamash. The Babylonians designated the planet Saturn as Shamash, yet was also designated with the name of the sun, like the Egyptian god Ra.
Makes a little more sense now with all the sun worship going on, that was very much detestable to Yah:
Ezek 8:16And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S(YHWH) house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD(YHWH), between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD(YHWH), and their faces toward the east; AND THEY WORSHIPPED THE SUN TOWARD THE EAST. (KJV)
Yeshua said He was the light of the world(Joh 8:12), and all the temple items were fulfilled in Him. The lamp was to be lit, or burning continually by the priests(Ex 27:20), and now with us as priests according to the order of Melchizedek, we also, through His Spirit, are to “let our light shine before men”(Matthew 5:14-16).
So, we should “Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness.”(Luke 11:35)
PART 3. GAMBLING AND THE DREIDEL
Just as christian parents will openly lie to their kids concerning santa, many other believers who have taken on another veneer of Christmas are teaching their kids that it is ok to gamble, by partaking in the dreidel games, with the traditions of Hannukah.
The dreidel game, is a game that, along with gift giving, and lighting lights, (much as you see with Christmas), that is a central part of Hannukah. The game consists of a dreidel and usually chocolate covered coins called gelt.
When played you end up putting “money” in the pot and whoever wins collects all, while others loose all.(I am summarizing here)
The dreidel is derived from a teetotum, which is a gambling device. The game, consisting of the play coin money, and the dreidel, is nothing short from going down to your local casino and “betting/loosing”.
So, when these games are played in a church congregation, as it was with the messianic congregation we went to, and the Spirit was showing us and convicted us of everything that was going on, the house of prayer and worship becomes a casino, and ultimately a ‘den of robbers’:
Mat 21:12Then Jesus went into the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. 13And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” (BSB)
This is the exact verse that the Spirit had impressed upon me a few years ago. What is most sad about the game and the dreidel, is that it is focused towards children. This is teaching them that gambling is ok, which is to covet after money; and places a stumbling block before them.
♦1 Tim 6: 9Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
♦Matt 6:24No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
PART 4. NO, YESHUA DID NOT CELEBRATE HANUKKAH
Many, will also try and justify celebrating this holiday by saying that Yeshua celebrated Hanukkah, using this Scripture passage:
John 10: 22And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
However, nowhere within context of the passage does it say that He was celebrating, or even specifically attending that festival, but rather that He walked in the temple on Solomon’s porch, during that time. This is the only passage within the NT, that specifically mentions the Feast of Dedication, and unlike the other appointed Feast days, there is no other passage to support that Yeshua actually celebrated the feast of dedication or Hannukah. Also, looking at the following verses, you can see what His intention was in being there. As the Jews come around, questioning Him, He tells them they do not believe in Him, and that they are not His sheep. The Jews become angered, pick up stones to stone Him, and Yeshua leaves. 
Does this sound like Yeshua was enjoying the festivities of Hanukkah? When prior to that, He declared Himself to be the temple?
John 2:18But the Judeans answered and said to him: “What sign are you showing us that you are doing these things?” 19Yeshua answered and said to them: “Tear down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20The Jews were saying to him: “For forty six years this temple has been being built, and will you raise it in three days?” 21But he said this concerning the temple of his body.
Yeshua certainty would be celebrating the appointed times(Feast Days) as we see in Scripture, however, He would not have been celebrating “The Festival of Lights”, or a man made tradition and law that re-appointed the Feast of Tabernacles in the month of Kislev, or a re-packaged rendition of Saturnalia now called Hanukkah.
If we want to focus on a temple dedication, then let’s focus on our bodies and cleansing out the things that don’t belong, especially on the throne of our heart.
1 Cor 6:19What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have of God, and you are not your own? 20For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
In conclusion, I hope that this will encourage and challenge others to test the traditions and holidays they are celebrating, to make sure that we are honoring our Father the way that He deserves, and has shown us how to worship Him. Let us make sure that the light we are accepting and bringing forth, is not a false one, a fraud.
Bless you! Thank you for your thorough study of this.
You are welcome, Connie! Blessing’s sister!
is it a sin to gamble? i’ve not yet found gambling to be categorized as sin in the Bible, but perhaps i’ve not yet discovered it.
also, have you found the Bible to categorize as sin the celebration of a secular holiday not originally rooted in paganism, like Independence Day (of any country) or Thanksgiving?
thank you & Godbless…
😎
Hello Bernard. Thank you for your comment. I am sorry I did not respond sooner, for some reason I am not getting notifications of comments. In answer to your questions, starting off with gambling, yes, I do believe it is a sin to gamble. Just because something is not explicitly mentioned in the bible does not mean that it is not sinful. This is why we have direction of the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth (Joh 16:13). I pointed out specific references within my blog of how gambling is sinful, as the intent behind gambling is the love of money. Gambling is the wagering of money or something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the intent of winning money. This sets up other temptations in the flesh and harmful desires that are not in alignment with God. I believe that while gambling, not specifically mentioned by name, falls into 1 Tim 6:9-10.
♦1 Tim 6: 9Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Think about the sinful behavior that goes on at casinos that surround that lifestyle and gambling behavior. Is that becoming of Christ? Something to think on, but I remember the time that I walked into a casino with my family to go eat at a restaurant about 11 years ago, and I physically started to feel ill. I then could feel the presence of so many demons, that darkness was pressing in around me, I told my husband, and he felt the same, and we had to leave. The Holy Spirit would not let us even go and have a meal in that place. So, I encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer if you are still uncertain.
As far as other secular holidays not specifically rooted in paganism, I think that it depends on what it is and what activities are involved. For example, Thanksgiving, while I do not partake in specifically anymore, has elements of gluttony with an overindulgence of food and drinking. Is the holiday specifically rooted in paganism, not that I have found. With the celebration of Independence Day, a lot of people idolize the flag and country. Patriotism can easily turn into Nationalism in which becomes very dangerous, as we can see with the rise of certain leaders. So, I think that historically we can acknowledge things that happened in a development of a country, but on that victory came a lot of innocent bloodshed. As followers of Christ, first and foremost our allegiance should be to the heavenly kingdom that we belong to (Phil 3:20).
I hope that this answers, or at least sheds some light into your questions. Also, as mentioned above if you still have uncertainties make sure you take this to the Lord in prayer. Blessings,
Kellie