ntain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them. 4:47 Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former; 4:48 And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts. 4:49 They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table. 4:50 And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple. 4:51 Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.
4:52 Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning, 4:53 And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made. 4:54 Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals. 4:55 Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success. 4:56 And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise. 4:57 They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them. 4:58 Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away.
4:59 Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness." (1 Maccabees 4:36-59)
Although Hanukkah was instituted by Jews (because the event happened in their country, not just their religion), and is observed by Jews (as a Jew, Jesus Christ observed Hanukkah i.e. "10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the Feast of the Dedication, and it was winter. 10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch." John 10:22-23 KJV), the event that triggered Hanukkah is Christian - historically and prophetically.
"The whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year"
The prophet Daniel recorded the same events of the "abomination of desolation" as is recorded in Maccabees. The only difference is that the writer of Maccabees recorded it as it was happening, while Daniel recorded it before it happened (the primary criticism of non-believer historians is that the book of Daniel is "too accurate" to have been written before i.e. they deny prophecy). Below is Daniel's writing about the "abomination of desolation" that resulted in the institution of Hanukkah; note carefully that Daniel knew that his prophecy about the "abomination of desolation" was dual - Daniel described it in original occurrence and in "end time" fulfillment - just as Jesus Christ also did, after the original had happened (both were prophecy to Daniel, while one was historic and one was prophetic to the Messiah).
"9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the