Composer Stephen Melillo wrote Festival of Light as a celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish tradition that dates back to 165 B.C. when the Holy Temple of Jerusalem was invaded. A small group of Jewish defenders, led by the Maccabees, resisted that oppression and despite overwhelming odds, those patriots freed Jerusalem. After the battle, there was only one day's supply of consecrated oil with which to rekindle the Eternal Light, a symbol of God's presence. The oil burned for eight days and the Temple was rebuilt. This historic victory is commemorated annually in the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, also known as the "Festival of Lights."

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