The Light of Chanukah Saves Us From Despair

Rav Shalom of Kaminka zy”a (Ohev Shalom, Chelek 2, Perek 10) writes that after Sukkos, we enter the cold, winter months. At this time, when we think about the long cold winter that is about to start, we are reminded that we are in a long, cold golus, and we will not have any holy days to provide us with strength, encouragement and warmth until Pesach. This could cause us to fall to despair, which is why we need much Divine mercy during this time of year.

Therefore, Hashem had mercy upon us and provided us with a small light during the long winter in the form of the holiday of Chanukah. This light warms us and illuminates the winter months, and provides us with the chizuk we need to make it until Pesach.