This holiday season, not every family is looking forward to trimming the Christmas tree. Some families around Evansville are looking forward to lighting the first candle of the menorah.

Today the two winter religious holidays, Christmas and Hanukkah, coexist in a blended holiday that most people just assume is Christmas. However, both religions’ holidays are very different. They were both started, and both are celebrated, in unique ways. Many people of opposing religions don’t know what the other is about.

Chrismukkah is the uniting of the two religious holidays at the same time to unite America’s two major religious groups during the holidays.

Christmas, as most of us know, is the time of year for presents, food, family, and SANTA! These things, however, are distantly related to the holiday’s true meaning.

The religious holiday of Christmas is celebrated in recognition of the birth of Jesus Christ in Christianity.

Early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.

The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat.

Many of today’s traditions for Christmas come from Pagan traditions such as the Christmas tree and the lights people use to show Christmas spirit.

The traditions have been altered in different ways to fit modern day’s society, but faint traces of the ancient times can be found each year in December. Taking part in Christmas, is a way of taking part in history.

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukkah, Hanukkah, Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that usually takes place between late November and late December.

It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, a Jewish rebel army, over the Syrians in 165 B.C.E., as well as the subsequent re dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Jews around the world celebrate with eight nights of merriment. Traditions include lighting the menorah, exchanging gifts and enjoying treats cooked in oil.

On each night of Hanukkah, the menorah is lit to commemorate a miracle which occurred after the Jews proclaimed victory over the Syrian armies in 165 B.C.E.

When Jews came to rededicate the Temple,which had been defiled by the Syrians,they found only one small flask of oil with which to light the menorah. This flask contained only enough oil for one day, yet the lamp burned for eight days, by which time a fresh supply of oil was obtained.

The most popular themes throughout the Hanukkah dishes are the use of oil. The oil reminds us of the oil which burned eight days instead of one.

Latkes are potato pancakes made from grated potatoes mixed with eggs, onions, and flour, then fried in vegetable oil. The texture is crispy on the outside and tender within. They’re served hot and often dipped in apple sauce or sour cream.

The Maccabees’ soldiers ate latkes made from cheese, vegetables, or fruits which were brought to them on the battlefields. However, they didn’t eat potato latkes, as potatoes weren’t available until the 16th century.

Another Jewish tradition is the spinning of the dreidel.The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter inscribed on each side.

In America the letters stand for “A Great Miracle Happened There”. In Israel the letters mean “A Miracle Happened Here”. Each player receives a given number of coins or candy pieces. Before spinning the dreidel, each player puts a fixed proportion of the amount received into the “kupah” or kitty. Each player in turn spins the dreidel. When the dreidel falls, it will fall on one of the 4 letters. According to the letter, the following will happen: Nun – no win / no lose Gimmel – take all (from the kitty) Heh – take half (from the kitty) Peh or Shin – lose (what you deposited) The game continues until players have run out of ‘funds’ or it is agreed to stop (anyone losing all funds is out of the game).

Hanukkah has been celebrated in the United States ever since the first Jewish immigrants crossed the great Atlantic. The holiday has assimilated into American society and has became the Hannukah people are familiar with today.

Both religions celebrate a unique holiday that represents the melting pot that makes up American culture. The religions’ holidays help to unite different groups of people and allow them to come together during the winter months in harmony.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a non-religious holiday which celebrates family, community, and culture. It is celebreated for seven days from December 26th to January 1st. Kwanzaa is a holiday which was created in 1966 and acts as a bond for different communities around the holidays.

Kwanzaa traditions include song and dance, storytelling, poetry reading, and large meals.