The Weekly Encourager – December 13, 2012 – Christmas Shammash

I enjoy decorating our Christmas tree differently each year. With its six-pointed snowflakes, blue sparkly balls, and silver stars of David, this year's tree is looking a lot like a Hanukkah bush. And why not?

Years ago, for our exterior Christmas display, we made a huge star of David that lit up the whole cul-de-sac where we lived. Its presence disturbed some visitors and delighted others. Some people, including some Christians, seem to have forgotten that our Lord descended from the line of David, a king of Israel, so they feel uncomfortable acknowledging the ethnic ancestry of Jesus.

A recent article by David Brickner enlightened me about the shammash (or shammas). Let's test your knowledge of Hebrew: Which of the following is the definition of shammash? a. traditional stew containing several winter vegetables; b. ritual washing of hands before offering sacrifices; c. guilt from disobeying God's commandments; d. none of the above. If you answered d., you are correct!

The shammash is the sexton who manages the synagogue facilities, but at one time it referred to one who helped lead prayer and worship in the synagogue. The shammash is also the ninth candle on the hanukkiah, the candelabrum used to celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah when God made miraculous provision of light for His people. This servant candle is the first to be lit, since it is used to light the other candles each night.

Do you see the parallels to the message of Christmas? As the article said, “Contrary to the lowly or demeaning place servants occupy in many cultures, God elevated the role of servant, and one servant in particular...the 'servant of the Lord.' “ Brickner goes on the explain that the 'servant of the Lord' in Scripture indicates a unique intimate relationship with God. Great men of God such as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and Job were called 'My servant.' It was “a great honor and a high calling.” Secondly, the nation of Israel was called 'My servant' indicating a special chosen status, despite the fact that some individuals in the community were not faithful to the Lord. The third use of the term is to refer to the coming Messiah, Israel's greater Son!

Isaiah brought God's message about this Servant “in Whom I will show My glory.” The Lord's Servant, God said, would “raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the preserved [elect] ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth....Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have compassion on His afflicted.” - Isaiah 49:3,6,13

The article continues, “Jesus is the servant who was brought low in order that He might become lifted up for all to see. He is the one through whom God's light would be kindled in the hearts of so many people all around the world. Jesus is God's shammash, and because He is, so are we. Y'shua told His disciples, 'You are the light of the world' (Matthew 5:14). What do you think that means for us who would follow Him?” As Executive Director of Jews for Jesus, Brickner no doubt has a special mission to serve the Jewish people, but so do we. Whenever possible, and especially in this season, we should be prepared to remind our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers that Jesus was Jewish, and that He came to save the lost of every race.

It is the Shammash who brings light: “a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” - Luke 2:32 “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4 Rejoice in the Servant-Savior, and serve Him by sharing the light! And what about that bright star of David hanging in our yard? When she saw it, our Jewish next-door neighbor asked me, “Are you Jewish?” I replied, “No, but Jesus was.”

God is faithful,

j

David Brickner, “Who is the Shammash?” in Jews for Jesus newsletter, Volume 4:5773/ December 2012, p.1-2. http://www.jewsforjesus.org/