Hanukah Coinciding With Christmas
This year, 2024, unusually, the 8 day Hanukah celebration coincides with Christmas. The start of Hanukah is on Christmas Day, December 25th. The Jewish calendar, changes dates each year.
In the USA Christmas celebrations include a Santas' run.
The Christmas celebration started as a religious holiday which included a midnight mass in the church,. These still take place in modern times in the UK and Europe.
Midnight Mass
I attended a midnight mass in a church in Prague. Also one in London at a Catholic church. The one we went to was free, but to ensure seats for everybody, and comply with regulations preventing overcrowding, you might need to apply several days in advance for tickets.
Advance Booking
The musical and/or religious event organizers may also need to know numbers to provide seating for all. Also to cater for any water or wine or wafers to be distributed, and for sufficient ushers, security or first aiders.) Be prepared for a donation box for charity being passed around. You might need cash, unless the health regulations banning coins and notes handled by many people, require donations in advance or arrears by cheques, bank transfer, phone pay or some other means.
Christmas was established on December 25th as the birthday of Jesus (whose date is not mentioned in the two books of the Christian New Testament. The date in December was to replace the pagan festival of Saturnalia, and to be in the week of the Solistice or sun's calendar's shortest day, so that a festival of light would cheer people and seem a good omen.
USA Streets
Street lights in the USA adorn skyscrapers in business districts, and rooftops of houses and on front lawns. One street is entirely decorated by a man to cheer his wife who has dementia.
In some places the lights are such as attraction that traffic jams form, and there is a ban on non-residents and for cars, and/or pedestrians of tourists / a charge / voluntary charity collection.
New York has famous lights such as the Christmas tree. To accommodate people of all faiths and none, some places have renamed trees winter trees. Jewish organizations or commercial enterprises have offered blue stockings resembling the red ones, and a Hanukah bush in place of the tree.
Chrismukah
The ideas multiply each year. A combined festival for mixed faith families or gatherings has been named by the combination word, or abbreviation, Chrismukah. At first this was probably intended by some to be viewed as mocking and negatively but it has become popular and positive.
Russia
Russia celebrates with grandfather Frost. He wears blue and white. He has a house you can visit.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia is Eastern Orthodox Christian. They celebrate the birth of Jesus in January.
Useful Websites on Christmas
https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas
Useful Websites on Hanukah
Wikipedia - Hanukah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah
Grapevine Kosher Wine Shops
tel> 020 8202 2631
Latkes and Salt Beef\
https://www.bksaltbeefbar.com/about
Donuts for hanukah time only in London, England, Margot Bakery 121 East End Rd, East Finchley.
https://www.margotbakery.co.uk/chanukah
Carrot and ginger soup recipe from the BBC
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/carrot-ginger-soup
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