An illuminated view of holiday lights

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John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Two religious holidays coincide this year, featuring the symbolism of light defeating darkness. Jews will celebrate Hanukkah for eight days beginning Dec. 22. Christians will celebrate Christmas for 12 days beginning with Christmas Day on Dec. 25 and ending Jan. 5 before the Day of Epiphany.

The Jewish Festival of Lights commemorates the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt succeeded in conquering the occupying Seleucid, or Greek, powers in 165 B.C. The foreign ruler, Antiochus IV, who called himself Epiphanes, meaning God manifest, had sacrificed a pig to the god Zeus on an altar in the Jewish temple.

Judas Maccabeus and his band of brothers came out of the Judean hills to liberate the people, reconsecrate the temple and set up the Second Jewish Commonwealth that lasted a hundred years.

When the Jews cleansed the temple, they found only enough oil to keep the lamps burning for a day. The oil lasted eight days.

Although it’s not a major festival, Hanukkah is popular in Jewish households because it generally falls around the time Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas. Each day, a gift is opened, and another candle is lit on the menorah, an eight-candle candelabra. Games are played with children, often featuring a dreidel.

Hanukkah calls attention to the moral light of a pure heart and an enlightened society that has liberty and justice for all. It’s not hard to see the connection to Jesus, who is called the Light of the World. He was born to a Jewish family in a stable in Bethlehem under a bright star.

Christians began celebrating the birth of Christ on Dec. 25, 336 A.D. Christmas wasn’t a major Christian feast for the first 300 years, but after Emperor Constantine converted to the faith, pagan holidays around the winter solstice were commandeered.

The Roman festival of the unconquered sun occurred Dec. 25 just days after the longest day of darkness on Dec. 21 gave way to renewing light. Similarly, the birthday of the Persian god of light, Mithras, also known as the Sun of Righteousness, was celebrated at that time.

Worship

Baptist

PARK CITIES BAPTIST CHURCH / 3933 Northwest Pky / pcbc.org

Bible Study 9:15 / Worship Services 10:45 Traditional, Contemporary, Spanish Speaking / 214.860.1500

ROYAL LANE BAPTIST CHURCH / 6707 Royal Lane / 214.361.2809

Christian Education 9:45 a.m. / Worship Service 10:55 a.m.

Pastor - Rev. Dr. Michael L. Gregg / www.royallane.org

WILSHIRE BAPTIST / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason Ph.D. / Worship 8:30 & 11:00 am

Bible Study 9:40 am / www.wilshirebc.org

Bible Churches

NORTH HIGHLANDS BIBLE CHURCH / Nhbc.net / 9626 Church Rd.

214.348 9697 / Sun: LifeQuest 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am /

Tues: Sr Hi 6:00 pm/Wed: AWANA & Jr Hi 6:00 pm

Disciples Of Christ

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / Worship 8:30 am - Chapel

10:50 am - Sanctuary / Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes / edcc.org

Episcopal

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH / stjd.org

Worship: Sat 5:30 pm, Sun 8 & 10:30 am / Christian Ed Sunday Morning & Weekdays, see calendar on website / 214.321.6451 / 848 Harter Rd.

LUTHERAN

CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA / 1000 Easton Road

A Welcoming and Affirming Church / Rev. K.M. Truhan

Sunday School 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am / CentralLutheran.org

FIRST UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA) / 6202 E Mockingbird Ln. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule. 214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

The renewal of the world in strengthening light, the Sun of Righteousness and the Son of God all came together in a single holiday.

Christians string lights on their houses and trees during the season leading up to Christmas — although, strictly speaking, that is the season of Advent. Commercial considerations have reshaped the popular calendar. However, many church leaders valiantly call for patience and penitence in the weeks before Christmas.

Whether by candlelight or electric lights, the message flickers still: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

GEORGE MASON is pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church, president of Faith Commons and host of the “Good God” podcast. The Worship section is underwritten by Advocate Publishing and the neighborhood businesses and churches listed here. For information about helping support the Worship section, call 214.560.4202.

METHODIST

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RICHARDSON 503 N Central Exwy / fumcr.com / 972.235.8385 / Dr. Clayton Oliphint

8:45, 9:45, 11:00 am Traditional / 11:00 am Modern

LAKE HIGHLANDS UMC / 9015 Plano Rd. / 214.348.6600 / lhumc.com

Sunday Morning: 9:30 am Sunday School / 10:30 am Coffee Worship: 8:30 am & 11:00 am Traditional / 11:00 am Contemporary

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

LAKE POINTE CHURCH – WHITE ROCK CAMPUS

Classic Service at 9:30 & Contemporary Service at 11:00 am lakepointe.org / 9150 Garland Road

Presbyterian

LAKE HIGHLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 214.348.2133 8525 Audelia Road at NW Hwy. / www.lhpres.org

9:00 am Contemporary, 9:55 am Christian Ed., 11:00 am Traditional

NORTHRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 6920 Bob-O-Link Dr. 214.827.5521 / www.northridgepc.org / Sunday Worship 10:00 am Church that feels like church and welcomes like family.

2019

THE STORE IN LAKE HIGHLANDS

Clothing boutique and gift shop

Check out our variety of nativities from decorative to playful including kid approved ones. Holiday Gifts Galore! We are stocked full of an incredible selection, for family, friends, teachers and everyone on your list!

Mon. – Sat. 9:30 – 5:30

LAKE HIGHLANDS ACUPUNCTURE

Now offering evening and weekend appointments!

Contact Tracy Lynn Tucker L.Ac., MAOM for an appointment. Tracy treats chronic pain, gynecological issues, allergies, anxiety and depression, insomnia, chemo side effects, and much more!

10252 E. Northwest Highway 214.267.8636 lakehighlandsacupuncture.com

WALTON’S GARDEN CENTER

Bettering Dallas by Organics

8652 Garland Road Dallas, TX 75218 214.321.2387 www.waltonsgarden.com

Shop Walton’s today to create a sizzling home for the holidays!

Christmas trees, decorations. grills, and gifts for the indoors and out!

Join us for our Open House, December 1st from 3-6 pm.

DAN “THE COMPUTER GUY” Computer Repair

972.639.6413 stykidan@sbcglobal.net

Don’t panic! Let a seasoned pro be the interface between you & that pesky windows computer. Hardware & software installation, troubleshooting, training, $60/hour — one hour minimum.

CITY VIEW ANTIQUE MALL

One of Dallas’ oldest antique malls

Join us Tuesday Evening, December 3rd. 6:00-9:30 pm for a Special Night of Holiday Shopping, Sweets & Spirits. Meet the dealers, eat, drink, and find that special gift! Merry Christmas!

Floral Design Classes

LAKE HIGHLANDS FLOWERS

9661 Audelia Rd. #118

Walnut Hill 214.340.9950 shoplhf.com