What Christmas and Hanukkah Have in Common
Celebrations in DECEMBER: Hanukkah starts on a different date each year in December (kislev) because the Biblical calendar is lunar based, however it always takes place in December. Christmas has a permanent date of 25th of December.
Celebrating GOD’s GIFTS: Christmas celebrates the gift of a Savior for mankind. Jesus the Christ, aka Yeshua the Messiah is born to bring salvation and deliverance from sin for all mankind. Hanukkak celebrates the gifts of victory over Israel’s enemies, regaining control of the Temple in Jerusalem and the rededication of the Temple in 165 B.C. and the miracle of the menorah’s light for 8 days.
Celebration of LIGHT: Christmas decorations use lots of colorful lights to shine in the darkness of winter nights. Lights on the trees and houses, buildings and nativity scenes. The holiday theme is loosely tied to the Bethlehem star that shined over Jesus’ birthplace. Yeshua / Jesus is called the Light of the World who was given by God as the salvation of mankind.
Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights because of the miraculous menorah lighting in the Temple on Mount Zion. Families will light their own special Hanukkah menorah and place them in the windows of their homes for each of the eight nights.
Celebrations with FAMILY: Both festivals are built around the importance of gathering as a family; spending time together , rededicating our lives to God and enjoying a feast of all kinds of delicious food.
Celebration with GIVING GIFTS: Gifts are not a traditional part of Hanukkah, but many Jews began adopting the practice from the mid twentieth century, influenced by the prevalent Christian gift giving at Christmas. These days Hanukkah gifts are given each of the 8 nights of the celebration .
The giving of gifts on Christmas has become the focal point of today’s celebration. Originally the focus was Christ’s Mass, a birthday celebration for Jesus, that focused on the nativity and divine birth. Today very few people are thinking about a birthday gift for Jesus. However, people do make a effort to give to family and friends.
Celebrate with CHARITY: Christmas and Hanukkah both teach adults and children to give to charity. Everyone is encouraged to give money to the less fortunate and to reach out to those who might need help in some way.
