Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christian Mumsnetters

This board exists primarily for the use of Christian Mumsnetters. Others are welcome to post but please be respectful. For theological debates, please visit our Philosophy/religion forum.

Original poster

Celebrating Hannukah 2024

75 replies

AgileGreenSeal · 16/12/2024 22:38

Hanukkah 2024 begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25 and ends the evening of Thursday, January 2, 2025

I’m interested in whether any other Christians are thinking of celebrating this festival? If so, what are your plans?

OP posts:
Thegreatestoftheseislove · 16/12/2024 23:04

Just lighting a menorah, that is all. It makes me feel close to our Jewish roots.

Original poster
AgileGreenSeal · 16/12/2024 23:20

Thegreatestoftheseislove · 16/12/2024 23:04

Just lighting a menorah, that is all. It makes me feel close to our Jewish roots.

I would like to do this too.

I bought a beautiful menorah wall art item in TK Maxx last year, and have it in pride of place among my other Christmas decorations. I’m planning on telling my grandchildren the story behind it this year as they’ve noticed it and are wondering what it means. 🕎

OP posts:
Thegreatestoftheseislove · 16/12/2024 23:40

AgileGreenSeal · 16/12/2024 23:20

I would like to do this too.

I bought a beautiful menorah wall art item in TK Maxx last year, and have it in pride of place among my other Christmas decorations. I’m planning on telling my grandchildren the story behind it this year as they’ve noticed it and are wondering what it means. 🕎

Show quote history

Beautiful. Sowing seeds. Our Lord celebrated Hannukah. May your grandchildren forever have a happy memory of you sharing our history. 🙏.

Then came the Feast of Hanukkah at Jerusalem. It was winter. Jesus was in the temple courtyard walking in Solomon’s Porch. …

Original poster
AgileGreenSeal · 16/12/2024 23:41

Thegreatestoftheseislove · 16/12/2024 23:40

Beautiful. Sowing seeds. Our Lord celebrated Hannukah. May your grandchildren forever have a happy memory of you sharing our history. 🙏.

Then came the Feast of Hanukkah at Jerusalem. It was winter. Jesus was in the temple courtyard walking in Solomon’s Porch. …

Show quote history

Amen! I love that He celebrated it and we can celebrate it too.

OP posts:
ChallaMama · 16/12/2024 23:47

I'm Jewish and have never heard of Christians celebrating Chanukah. For what it's worth I think it's really heartwarming to read of your plans. Merry Christmas to you.

MumChp · 16/12/2024 23:49

No plans. We don't celebrate Hannukah. Never met any Christians celebrating it.

Original poster
AgileGreenSeal · 16/12/2024 23:53

ChallaMama · 16/12/2024 23:47

I'm Jewish and have never heard of Christians celebrating Chanukah. For what it's worth I think it's really heartwarming to read of your plans. Merry Christmas to you.

Thank you, @ChallaMama

a happy and blessed Chanukah to you!

OP posts:
Thegreatestoftheseislove · 17/12/2024 00:02

ChallaMama · 16/12/2024 23:47

I'm Jewish and have never heard of Christians celebrating Chanukah. For what it's worth I think it's really heartwarming to read of your plans. Merry Christmas to you.

Thank you @ChallaMama . I know many Christians who are very much in touch with our Jewish roots and heritage. I know my own heart and soul feels a very close affiliation. We share our Creator.

Original poster
AgileGreenSeal · 17/12/2024 00:17

Thegreatestoftheseislove · 17/12/2024 00:15

Apologies @AgileGreenSeal as I do not want to derail this thread, but I enjoy reading https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/AMA/4974877-im-an-orthodox-jewish-woman-ask-me-anything

Thanks for the link, @Thegreatestoftheseislove
will enjoy having a read- looks very interesting 👍

OP posts:
JesusIsMyCopilot · 19/12/2024 13:41

Oh what a lovely idea. I was just thinking in church the other day, is it strange that we don't celebrate Passover as Christians? Jesus celebrated it, that's literally what the Last Supper was for. Why don't we do it now? Is it to do with His sacrifice?

RatInADollhouse · 19/12/2024 17:19

I don't know if this makes a difference to you but Hanukkah is actually a pretty minor holiday in Judaism. It's become significant in the diaspora and the custom of gift-giving has evolved because it's around Christmas and part of the "festive holiday season."

I have no idea whether Jesus observed all of the Jewish holidays or just certain ones but if you are looking to honor an important Jewish observance Yom Kippur (day of atonement) is a big one, along with Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new year) and the high holy days in between. Passover (celebrating our exodus from slavery), Shavuot/Shemini Atzeret (celebrating Gd giving us the Torah) and Simchat Torah (when the year-long Torah reading ends and begins again) are also considered much more meaningful than Hanukkah. But perhaps the most sacred practice for observant Jews is to keep Shabbat (the sabbath) every week from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. On Shabbat Jews recite prayers, light candles, and often have a big family meal, but the main thing is that they are prohibited from doing any type of work. For Orthodox Jews "work" includes things like writing, cooking, buying/selling, traveling in a car, bathing (washing small areas like hands/face is OK), carrying anything in public, using a cell phone or any other electronics, turning lights on/off, and much more. (Exceptions are permitted in a medical emergency or to prevent harm to human life.) It sounds burdensome to follow all of the requirements but that's what makes Shabbat such a lovely and special time to put aside modern distractions and reflect, relax and spend time with loved ones.

You won't find mass produced decorations in TK Maxx for any of the holidays I mentioned but they are all more sacred and meaningful than Hanukkah. Each has its own unique rituals and traditions, many of which are just as much fun as dreidels and latkes.

LBFseBrom · 19/12/2024 17:41

That's rather a good idea. I sent my Jewish ex-neighbours a Hanukkah card. I might do something after Christmas. My birthday is during Chanukkah so double celebration.

Original poster
AgileGreenSeal · 19/12/2024 17:47

LBFseBrom · 19/12/2024 17:41

That's rather a good idea. I sent my Jewish ex-neighbours a Hanukkah card. I might do something after Christmas. My birthday is during Chanukkah so double celebration.

Happy Birthday GIF by Vincent Winter

Happy Birthday! 🥳 🎂

OP posts:
LBFseBrom · 19/12/2024 18:34

Thank you, Agile, that is kind - it's on New Year's Eve.

LetThereBeLove · 19/12/2024 18:41

RatInADollhouse · 19/12/2024 17:19

I don't know if this makes a difference to you but Hanukkah is actually a pretty minor holiday in Judaism. It's become significant in the diaspora and the custom of gift-giving has evolved because it's around Christmas and part of the "festive holiday season."

I have no idea whether Jesus observed all of the Jewish holidays or just certain ones but if you are looking to honor an important Jewish observance Yom Kippur (day of atonement) is a big one, along with Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new year) and the high holy days in between. Passover (celebrating our exodus from slavery), Shavuot/Shemini Atzeret (celebrating Gd giving us the Torah) and Simchat Torah (when the year-long Torah reading ends and begins again) are also considered much more meaningful than Hanukkah. But perhaps the most sacred practice for observant Jews is to keep Shabbat (the sabbath) every week from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. On Shabbat Jews recite prayers, light candles, and often have a big family meal, but the main thing is that they are prohibited from doing any type of work. For Orthodox Jews "work" includes things like writing, cooking, buying/selling, traveling in a car, bathing (washing small areas like hands/face is OK), carrying anything in public, using a cell phone or any other electronics, turning lights on/off, and much more. (Exceptions are permitted in a medical emergency or to prevent harm to human life.) It sounds burdensome to follow all of the requirements but that's what makes Shabbat such a lovely and special time to put aside modern distractions and reflect, relax and spend time with loved ones.

You won't find mass produced decorations in TK Maxx for any of the holidays I mentioned but they are all more sacred and meaningful than Hanukkah. Each has its own unique rituals and traditions, many of which are just as much fun as dreidels and latkes.

It may seem a minor festival to you (!) but in my Jewish family we have always celebrated Chanukah as much as we do the major festivals of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Pesach and Succot. Wishing Christian Mumsnetters a very happy Christmas!

Original poster
AgileGreenSeal · 19/12/2024 18:54

RatInADollhouse · 19/12/2024 17:19

I don't know if this makes a difference to you but Hanukkah is actually a pretty minor holiday in Judaism. It's become significant in the diaspora and the custom of gift-giving has evolved because it's around Christmas and part of the "festive holiday season."

I have no idea whether Jesus observed all of the Jewish holidays or just certain ones but if you are looking to honor an important Jewish observance Yom Kippur (day of atonement) is a big one, along with Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new year) and the high holy days in between. Passover (celebrating our exodus from slavery), Shavuot/Shemini Atzeret (celebrating Gd giving us the Torah) and Simchat Torah (when the year-long Torah reading ends and begins again) are also considered much more meaningful than Hanukkah. But perhaps the most sacred practice for observant Jews is to keep Shabbat (the sabbath) every week from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. On Shabbat Jews recite prayers, light candles, and often have a big family meal, but the main thing is that they are prohibited from doing any type of work. For Orthodox Jews "work" includes things like writing, cooking, buying/selling, traveling in a car, bathing (washing small areas like hands/face is OK), carrying anything in public, using a cell phone or any other electronics, turning lights on/off, and much more. (Exceptions are permitted in a medical emergency or to prevent harm to human life.) It sounds burdensome to follow all of the requirements but that's what makes Shabbat such a lovely and special time to put aside modern distractions and reflect, relax and spend time with loved ones.

You won't find mass produced decorations in TK Maxx for any of the holidays I mentioned but they are all more sacred and meaningful than Hanukkah. Each has its own unique rituals and traditions, many of which are just as much fun as dreidels and latkes.

Thanks for this very detailed response- really appreciate your contribution to the discussion.

Yes, I’m aware of the more major holidays and of course, Shabbat. All the festivals are massively meaningful in Christianity, and although not every individual Christian will be familiar with them and their significance I’m aware of growing interest in recent years.

It would be fascinating to have a discussion about each one in due course when we get to that time of year.

For now, it’s Hannukah next week 🕎

Wishing you a very blessed and Happy Hannukah! xx

OP posts:
Original poster
AgileGreenSeal · 19/12/2024 18:56

LetThereBeLove · 19/12/2024 18:41

It may seem a minor festival to you (!) but in my Jewish family we have always celebrated Chanukah as much as we do the major festivals of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Pesach and Succot. Wishing Christian Mumsnetters a very happy Christmas!

Edited
Show quote history

Thank you, @LetThereBeLove

and a very happy & blessed Chanukah to you and yours xx

OP posts:
Thegreatestoftheseislove · 19/12/2024 21:06

AgileGreenSeal · 19/12/2024 18:54

Thanks for this very detailed response- really appreciate your contribution to the discussion.

Yes, I’m aware of the more major holidays and of course, Shabbat. All the festivals are massively meaningful in Christianity, and although not every individual Christian will be familiar with them and their significance I’m aware of growing interest in recent years.

It would be fascinating to have a discussion about each one in due course when we get to that time of year.

For now, it’s Hannukah next week 🕎

Wishing you a very blessed and Happy Hannukah! xx

Edited
Show quote history

We have lost the ‘thank you’ you button, so hear hear and thank you to @RatInADollhouse

Thegreatestoftheseislove · 19/12/2024 21:07

AgileGreenSeal · 19/12/2024 18:56

Thank you, @LetThereBeLove

and a very happy & blessed Chanukah to you and yours xx

Show quote history

We have lost the ‘thank you’ you button, so hear hear and thank you to @LetThereBeLove

Thegreatestoftheseislove · 19/12/2024 21:09

Hope you have a blessed birthday @LBFseBrom 💐

Foreigners88 · 19/12/2024 21:11

Never done it. Curious as to how one can do it , i love all things Jewish as a Christian

Bigearringsbigsmile · 19/12/2024 21:13

This might be of interest op

https://jewsforjesus.org/

Foreigners88 · 19/12/2024 21:13

Thegreatestoftheseislove · 17/12/2024 00:02

Thank you @ChallaMama . I know many Christians who are very much in touch with our Jewish roots and heritage. I know my own heart and soul feels a very close affiliation. We share our Creator.

Show quote history

we share the Messiah also

Foreigners88 · 19/12/2024 21:15

JesusIsMyCopilot · 19/12/2024 13:41

Oh what a lovely idea. I was just thinking in church the other day, is it strange that we don't celebrate Passover as Christians? Jesus celebrated it, that's literally what the Last Supper was for. Why don't we do it now? Is it to do with His sacrifice?

He fulfilled the Passover once and for all. We have holy communion now