Hanukkah:
This is one of the main holidays in the Jewish religion. Although not as "holy" or "sacred" as Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashana (New Years, Hanukkah is often juxtaposed with Christmas because they occur around the same time of the year, and both involve presents. Hanukkah is the celebration of the festival of lights and the remembering of the oil lamp that burned for 8 days when they thought they had only enough oil for 1 night at most. We light the menorah every night for 8 nights and each night is a different night of presents, normally smaller than the ones you would receive on Christmas though. Hanukkah is a time for family, food and togetherness. Hanukkah celebrates past historical events and the "miracle" of light in that lamp centuries ago. |
Christmas:
The holiday of Christmas is probably the main holiday in the catholic religion. The Christmas holiday is also about family, like Hanukkah, but centers more around giving. Christmas celebrates the legend of Kris Kringle or Santa Clause who comes down the chimney of your house when your sleeping and delivers presents underneath your Christmas tree for you to open when you awaken. Christmas also involves Christmas mass, at the local church, stockings, decorations and other traditions. Christmas is more tradition-related and Hanukkah is more centered on the themes of family and being together with loved ones. Both holidays are equally important to me, with Christmas bringing a more comfortable, happy, family feel, and Hanukkah bringing a sense of wholesomeness to the entire extended family, not just the immediate family. |