Christmas and Hanukkah: what holidays are celebrated on December 25
25 December 2024 00:21
Today, on December 25, believers celebrate one of the greatest holidays, Christmas. Today, on December 25, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah will begin at sunset, and this year it will last until Thursday evening, January 2. Read about the holidays and signs of this day in the article "Komersant Ukrainian"
The Nativity of Christ
Christmas is one of the most important holidays in the Christian religion. It is believed that Jesus Christ was born for the benefit of humanity.
In September 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine decided to switch to a new church calendar (New Julian calendar). This means that from now on, Christmas and other religious holidays will be celebrated 13 days earlier than before, so Christmas will fall on December 25, as in many other countries.
For Ukrainians, Christmas has always been a family holiday, and therefore most of the rituals of this period were performed exclusively in a very narrow family circle. First of all, the whole family gathered together at one table.
The entire cycle of Christmas and New Year’s holidays was extremely important to Ukrainians. Therefore, any physical labor was prohibited for 12 days from Christmas Eve. One could only work around the cattle and prepare food.
It was also not allowed to borrow or lend money. There was this logic: how you meet the year is how you spend it. That’s why no one wanted to live with financial problems all year round.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the second century BC.
This year, Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights and Miracles, will be celebrated from December 25, 2024, to January 2, 2025.
Hanukkah is celebrated over eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Jewish calendar, which can occur anytime from the end of November to the end of December in the Gregorian calendar.
Hanukkah has gained great cultural significance among secular Jews, as it often occurs around the same time as Christmas.
On Hanukkah, it is customary to have a festive meal with relatives and friends. Children are given gifts, and there is also a custom to help those in need. Potato latkes, sufganiyot donuts, and various dairy dishes are served on the table.
In those days, certain prohibitions and restrictions were observed on this day. For example, it was forbidden to mourn the dead on Hanukkah. The holiday should be dedicated to living relatives and friends.
During Hanukkah, you can’t go on a diet or fast.
What not to do on December 25:
- You cannot swear, shout loudly, quarrel.
- In ancient times, no one bathed on Christmas and any water procedures were prohibited.
- It is not allowed to clean the house, embroider, or sew.
Folk signs and traditions for December 25
Our ancestors had many interesting signs for this day:
- they would look at what day it was: if it was snowing or already falling, they would have a good harvest next year;
- if the weather was warm outside, the spring would be cold;
- the weather on this day indicates what it will be like on Peter and Paul (June 29);
- the cat is scratching the wall of the house – the weather will deteriorate.
Are there any special Christmas signs?
Yes, there are. For example, the first guest in the house in the morning should always be a man – then the family will be accompanied by prosperity and wealth throughout the year. People don’t wear old clothes on the holiday – only new ones, and light colors. Also, on Christmas Eve, doors and windows are opened at midnight to let happiness into the house.
