Christmas and Hanukkah coincide, which means this intersection

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

What is open and closed on Christmas Day in Massachusetts?

It’s the first time in about 20 years that Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah will fall on the same day, creating “Chrismukkah” as popularized on the TV show “The OC” in the early 2000s. The overlap only occurs when the Hebrew calendar follows the path of the moon and sun according to the more common calendar, which only follows the sun and places the beginning 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, often exchanging gifts with family and friends.

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

In the Christian faith, many families attend a Christmas Eve mass or sometimes a midnight mass that ends on Christmas morning, but others attend church on Christmas Day. Many churches are holding multiple services this morning and throughout the day. It’s best to check your church’s website to find out service times.

For those who may not be able to receive a traditional holiday meal or spend the day with others, the Open Pantry offers its Traditional Holiday Meal Program, which provides food for anyone in need of a meal or time with others. It will take place at 12 p.m. at the High School of Commerce in Springfield.

The Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy offers an afternoon of activities including cookie decorating and gem dreidel design and even a juggling demonstration. Participation is free. The Jewish Learning Institute is also hosting an evening of Chinese and entertainment at LYA from 5:45 p.m. The cost is $35.

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