Light

During the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), there was a great ceremony called the "Illumination of the Temple," which involved the ritual lighting of four golden oil-fed lamps in the Court of Women.  These lamps were huge menorahs/candelabras (75 feet high) lit in the Temple at night to remind the people of the pillar of fire that had guided Israel in their wilderness journey.  All night long the light shone their brilliance, it is said, illuminating the entire city.

This festival was a reminder that God had promised to send a light, The Light, to a sin-darkened world.  God promised to send the Messiah to renew Israel's glory, release them from bondage, and restore their joy.  Jesus is the Light, the source of illumination to bring the lost out of darkness. Jesus declared himself to be the Light of the world.  Jesus has come to reveal the truth, to “turn on the light” so people might see the truth and be saved.

Scripture References:  John 8:12-30; Exodus 13:21; 1 John 1:5; Psalm 119:105; Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:15