Christmas, Hanukkah coincide, what this crossover means

On December 25, 2024By Littum

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Wednesday is December 25th, which is Christmas, but also this year marks the first day of Hanukkah.

What is open and closed Christmas Day in Massachusetts?

It’s the first time in about 20 years that Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah fall on the same day, creating “Chrismukkah” as popularized on the early 2000s TV show, “The OC.” The overlap only occurs when the Hebrew calendar that follows the path of the moon and the sun aligns with the more common calendar that only follows the sun, putting the start of Hanukkah and Christmas on the same day.

For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is a joyful time of togetherness and happiness, where gifts are often exchanged with family and friends.

For the Jews, Hanukkah is often considered a minor holiday, although it has been described as gaining more importance in recent decades, some may attribute it to its proximity to Christmas. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of Jerusalem’s Second Temple, but when it was rededicated, there was only enough pure oil to light the menorah for one day, but it miraculously burned for eight. This is where the eight days of Hanukkah come from. During the celebration, gifts are exchanged, children play dreidel, and they eat food cooked in oil, such as latkes.

In the Christian faith, many families may go to Christmas Eve mass or sometimes midnight mass that ends on Christmas morning, but others go to church on Christmas Day. Many churches hold several services this morning and throughout the day. It is best to check your church’s website to find Mass times.

For those who may not receive a traditional holiday meal or would like to spend the day with others, Open Pantry has its traditional holiday meal program, providing food to anyone in need of a meal or time with others. It takes place at the High School of Commerce in Springfield at noon.

The Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy has an afternoon of activities including cookie decorating and gem design and even a juggling performance. It costs nothing to participate. The Jewish Learning Institute is also hosting an evening of Chinese and entertainment at LYA starting at 17.45. The cost is $35.

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