In re Jean's post, our Savior did indeed celebrate Hanukah in John 10. First off, it calls it, "The Feast of Dedication", and there is only one HOLIDAY that has ever been known by that name. Jeans said, "The Tenakh lists several dedications, none of which are Hanukkah. These 4 are noted in Numbers 7:84-88, 2 Chronicles: 7-9, Ezra 6:16-17, and Nehemiah 12:27." While some of these talk about the altar or wall being dedicated, that is still a different issue from the Feast of Dedication. Numbers 7:84-88 talks about an altar being dedicated, but it is not establishing a new holiday of any sort. 2 Chronicles discusses the temple being SANCTIFIED in most translations, while other translations use the word "dedicated" in the same place. But it does not describe a new holiday named, "The Feast of Dedication of ____". Ezra 6 discusses the dedication of the temple, and Neh 12:27 discusses the dedication of the wall, but these do not establish a holiday called "The Feast of Dedication of ____".
There is only one feast that has ever been known as The Feast of Dedication, and that is Hanukah.
Hanukah does indeed happen in the winter. This year it starts on Dec 17 and runs through Dec 25, so half of it is before December 21 and half of it is after Dec 21. This is a normal time frame for Hanukah.
Also, "winter" does not necessarily start on Dec 21 by everyone's definition. Winter is 6 months long for people who live in New England. If you live North of the KY/TN border, you have probably experienced numerous white Thanksgivings with snow on the ground. I did when I lived in Louisville.
This year, Hanukah is half after Dec 21. Next year it is the 2nd week of December. In 2016 it starts December 25, so all 8 days are post Dec 21. The year after, the last day is on Dec 21. So no, it is not unusual at all for Hanukah to go past Dec 21. At least one day of Hanukah is on or after Dec 21 in 3 of the next 4 years. In fact in every 19 year cycle, at least one day of Hanukah will run past Dec 21 typically 11 of those 19 years. The current calendar runs along a 19 year cycle. So yes, in the majority of years at least one day of Hanukah runs past December 21. That is a statistical fact.
There are also numerous parallels between Hanukah and this passage. Yeshua called Himself the "Light of the World" in John 8 and 9. At John 10 He reveals His Divinity, and was accused of blasphemy, paralleling how Antiochus falsely claimed to be god at the original Hanukah events. Judah Macabee and his followers escaped from the Greeks wanting to kill him, and Yeshua escaped from those wanting to kill Him in John 10 too.
As for the statement, "Messiah/Christ would NEVER NEED TO CELEBRATE the warfare and mass murder " - have you read the book of Revelation? He will lead warfare at Har Megido (Armageddon) when He returns.
If you regret the fact that Israel gained its independence from Antiochus, then by all means, don't celebrate Hanukah. That would make you a hypocrit. Of course, we might need to talk about why you wish Antiochus still ruled over Israel. If you're glad they threw that tyrant off the thrown, then feel free to join me in celebrating the holiday. My kids and I will be eating chocolate, latkes, singing songs, playing games, and having a good ole' time. You don't have to join in on the fun if you don't want to. No one will force you. But we'll be in our spot having a good ole' time and God always joins us. So have a happy Dec 17-25, whatever you are doing those 8 days this year.
Shalom,
Joe