Increasing Light in the New Year

​We have another interesting convergence occurring on December 31. It includes New Year's Eve, Day six of the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), and Rosh Chodesh (Head of the Month) for the tenth month on the Hebrew calendar, called Tevet. Hanukkah is a reminder that God wants our temples cleansed. When the Maccabees overcame the Syrian Greek army, they found their temple in a shambles and went about restoring it. Only one vial of oil was discovered for lighting the menorah. The miracle of this festival is that the Temple was illuminated for eight days with this vial. By then the priests were able to provide freshly made oil so that the light would continue.
 
Since our new year is 2025, we highlight the number five as it represents grace, goodness, restoration, and God's favor. The prophets are reminding us that there are five books in the Torah (first five books of the Bible) and that this is the year that we should put emphasis on the Word of God. The fifth book of the Bible is Deuteronomy, which is all about preparing to occupy the Promised Land. Consequently, we should position ourselves to cross over into the promises that God has for us.
 
Now, let us look at the Head of the Month (Rosh Chodesh). Please note that the Hebrew word Chodesh comes from Chadash which means to renew, rebuild, repair, and heal. At the beginning of every month the moon is a slight sliver in the sky. I so enjoy watching it grow to a full moon. It is a prophetic picture of what is to come. The light of the new year and the light of the menorah grow just as the moonlight and the daylight increase. Likewise, God is all about expanding and renewing our lights.
 
There is another convergency to take note of. The tenth month of the Hebrew calendar, Tevet, has within it January 20. Since ten is the number of godly authority, we should be praying for our new Commander in Chief in the White House. We must ask God to fill Donald Trump with godly wisdom. Pray that every decision he makes brings the Lord's blessings and prosperity to our country. This month we should be cognizant of our responsibility to pray for all our leaders. Let us build them up with prayer so that the enemy cannot get to us through them. Tevet is associated with the Hebrew letter AYIN which is a picture of an eye and of a well or spring of flowing water. These pictures tell us to be watchful against those who look to do evil. However, we should be excited that new life will be flowing as we enter the new year.
 
I am so blessed that my church, The Crossing, is beginning the new year with a week of fasting and worship to the Lord. This is the best way for us to start the beginning of the year and the head of the month. Fasting is a discipline that cleanses our systems and allows us time to reflect on the past year and look to God for direction for our futures. Let us use the new year to develop our spiritual hunger for the Lord and to realign our priorities by putting emphasis on our relationship with Him. We must look for the path of ever-increasing light and follow it. "The path of righteousness is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18)