Joshua, Judges, & Jesus (3J) Museum Exhibit

Hanukkah to Christmas: A Celebration of Light

Sunday through Monday, December 18 – 26, 2022

The Bible Seminary will observe Hanukkah and Christmas

by lighting lamps from the Hasmonaean period

(Katy, Texas) Since Jesus celebrated Hanukkah (see John 10:22), The Bible Seminary is excited to announce that the Joshua, Judges, and Jesus (3J) Museum will be exploring the archaeological aspects of the first Christmas in conjunction with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The current exhibit closes Monday, November 28 and will reopen on Sunday, December 18, the first day of Hanukkah. TBS President, Dr. K. Lynn Lewis extends an invitation to gather at 5:00 PM on the porch of Grace Fellowship Church (2655 S. Mason Rd., Katy, Texas 77450). A shofar blown at sunset, anticipated at 5:27 PM, will begin the festivities, which are scheduled to include an informational tour (led by archaeologist and TBS Provost, Dr. Scott Stripling), the lighting of the first lamp, and then an open house illuminating the history of Hanukkah (A.K.A. the Feast of Dedication, or Festival of Lights).

Photo Credit: Gary Urie, 3J Museum & Shiloh Dig Photographer




Since Hanukkah coincides with the Christian holiday of Christmas this year, TBS will open every night of Hanukkah to light Hasmonaean lamps that were first lit almost 2,200 years ago. The celebration will commemorate God’s preemptive measures that pointed to Jesus, the true Light of the world (John 8:12). The 3J Museum will be open to the public during regular hours 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM Monday, December 19 through Friday, December 23, and Monday, December 26 of Hanukkah week. Evening and weekend visits may be requested by appointment only, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The nightly lightings of the lamps for each of the eight evenings will begin with a 4:45 PM tour and then the lamp lighting at sundown (around 5:27 PM). Viewers can also watch LIVE online at FaceBook.com/thebibleseminary. Reservations can be made to tour the museum and attend a lighting by registering at TheBibleSeminary.edu/3J.

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Joseph Menslage

As the President and Publisher of Katy and Fort Bend Christian Magazines, Joe Menslage is committed to covering social and political news from a Christian worldview. He founded Katy Christian Magazine in 2005, which swept the greater Houston and Katy areas like a storm. That’s when Joe realized the urgent need for publications willing to give voices to the voiceless, without political correctness or censorship. Joe Menslage founded sister-publication Fort Bend Christian Magazine in 2014. Prior to creating Katy Christian Magazine, Joe Menslage led a colorful life. He was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, spent a great deal of his childhood in Colorado, and lived in a couple of other states before he moved to Houston in 1981. Joe was God-gifted with an entrepreneurial mind, and self-started other business ventures before he found his calling. In Joe’s words, our innate talents are given by the Lord, and are meant to be used to serve the Lord. Aside from being a President and Publisher, Joe Menslage is also the co-founder of Katy Christian Chamber of Commerce, where Christians can network, build business connections, listen to passionate speakers, and enjoy monthly breakfasts and lunches. Joe Menslage also hosts a weekly political satire YouTube channel. Joe Menslage has four children. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, watching zombie movies and K dramas, ax-throwing and Krav Maga.