Christmas and Hanukkah are two religious holidays with many similarities between them. While the two holidays are celebrated by two different faiths, their common themes of hope, redemption, and celebration connect them. From how they’re celebrated, to the symbols associated with each, we can see a creative thread that links Judaism and Christianity in a way that transcends their religious differences.
How Are Christmas and Hanukkah Celebrated?
Both holidays involve many of the same traditions that have been passed down for centuries. Both celebrations include feasting, gift giving, and decorations. Hanukkah follows the Jewish Lunar Calendar, so the dates shift annually. It typically falls in late November or December and lasts eight days. Christmas falls on the same day every year—December 25th—and usually lasts four or five days, although the celebration of Advent begins four weeks prior to Christmas Day.
Symbols of Christmas and Hanukkah
Both holidays have their own symbols associated with them. Christmas is closely linked with the symbols of Jesus’ time: a tree decorated with ornaments, brightly colored lights, wreaths, holly and mistletoe, stars, angels, and gifts wrapped in festive paper. Hanukkah’s symbols are mainly linked with its celebration of freedom. A Menorah holds eight candles: one candle for each night of the festival and a ninth “shamash” candle to light the other eight. Dreidels, four-sided spinning toys, are often used in Hanukkah games. Gifts, singing, brisket, and potato latkes are all part of the celebration.
Both holidays involve religious rituals, with Christmas Day celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ and Hanukkah celebrated as the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. On Hanukkah, a special prayer known as the Shehecheyanu is said to thank God for granting more time to celebrate the holiday. For Christmas, there are multiple services and ceremonies that a family might choose to observe, such as attending Midnight Mass or singing traditional Christmas carols.
Messages of Hope Alike
While the two holidays are celebrated in different ways, they have a shared message of hope that transcends differences. Both holidays focus on hope and redemption—Christmas emphasizes Christ’s light and love for all mankind, and Hanukkah celebrates the courage and faith that brought victory and freedom from oppression.
In the end, similarities between Christmas and Hanukkah more than outweigh the differences between the two holidays and their traditions. They are both celebrations of peace, hope, and faith, and no matter the faith or religion you are, the sense of renewal and joy that the two holidays bring bring everyone together in a common bond.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.