In the dark of the year, many homes light a candle. Christians light Advent candles and the candles of Christmas. Jews light a menorah for eight nights. The two often fall in the same weeks, so people sometimes call Hanukkah "the Jewish Christmas". Neither community says that. They are separate festivals with separate stories, and both are about light.
Each faith reaches for the image of light in its own words.
Light
Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6 · JPS 1917I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 8:12 · WEBAllah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp.
Qur'an 24:35 · PickthallHanukkah, in Jewish words
Hanukkah means "dedication". It remembers the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE, after a small band led by Judah the Maccabee defeated the forces that had tried to suppress Jewish observance (Chabad). Tradition tells that a single jar of pure olive oil, enough for one day, burned for eight days. The festival is eight nights long, beginning on the 25th of the month of Kislev.
Each night a nine-branched menorah, called a chanukiyah, is lit after dark. The ninth branch, the shamash or "helper", lights the others. One flame is added each night until all eight burn. The menorah is placed in a window or doorway, so that the light is seen from the street. Blessings are said and songs sung. Children play dreidel, a spinning top, and get small gifts of money (gelt). Families eat foods fried in oil, such as potato latkes and jam doughnuts (sufganiyot).
Hanukkah is a joyful festival, but it comes from after the days of the Hebrew Bible and carries none of the work restrictions of the Torah festivals. The prophet Zechariah (peace be upon him) is quoted: his words, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit", are traditionally read in synagogue on the Shabbat of Hanukkah. The Gospel of John mentions it as the "Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter" (John 10:22–23, WEB).
In 2026, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Friday 4 December and ends on 12 December (Hebcal, Chabad). Its date moves on the everyday calendar because the Jewish calendar follows the Moon. See This month across faiths.
Christmas, in Christian words
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, whom Christians call the Son of God. The Gospel of Luke has the angel say to the shepherds:
Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David's city, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11 · WEB (British Edition)
John's Gospel puts it more deeply:
The Word became flesh and lived amongst us.
John 1:14 · WEB (British Edition)
Many Christians begin with Advent, four Sundays of waiting, and then keep twelve days of celebration. Churches hold a carol service and a midnight or Christmas Day service. Orthodox churches that keep the older Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on 7 January, which is 25 December by their calendar, and the Armenian Church keeps 6 January (Christian Today). Many Orthodox Christians fast beforehand. The difference is one of calendars. It is not a different birthday.
Muslim neighbours
Muslims honour Jesus (peace be upon him) as one of the great messengers, born of the Virgin Mary (Maryam, peace be upon her). The Qur'an tells of the angels' glad tidings to Mary: "Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary" (3:45, Pickthall). Jesus is quoted as saying of himself: "Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive" (19:33, Pickthall).
Most Muslims do not keep Christmas as a religious festival. Many nonetheless enjoy the kindness of the season. Views vary, so ask rather than assume.
Honest differences
- Christians hold that Jesus is the Son of God and Saviour. Muslims honour him as a prophet and messenger and not as divine. Jews do not hold that Jesus is the Messiah.
- Hanukkah is not a Jewish Christmas, and not a "Festival of Lights" competing with a tree. It is a festival of its own, with its own story.
- Christmas has many customs, such as trees, cards and presents. Some are religious, some are cultural, and families keep them in different ways.
- Some Jewish and Muslim colleagues join the office party and others prefer not to. Both are fine.
What a neighbour sees
- Hanukkah: A menorah in a front window after dark, growing by one light each night. A large menorah in some town squares. Fried food smells and children spinning dreidels.
- Christmas: Trees, cribs and lights, carol services, crowded shops, and a street that goes quiet on 25 December. Orthodox churches hold their services about two weeks later.
What to say
| Say | To whom | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Hanukkah or Chag urim sameach | Jewish neighbours | "Happy festival of lights" |
| Merry Christmas | Christian neighbours | |
| Happy Christmas | Christian neighbours (the British form) | |
| Merry Christmas (7 January) | Orthodox neighbours | Some use their own language, so ask |
| Season's greetings | When you do not know | Warm and safe |
What to say and bring
- Hanukkah. Bring a small gift for children, such as chocolate coins or a book. Ask about kosher. If you are invited to a candle lighting, arrive on time, because it is done at a set time after dark. Do not blow out a menorah, and do not move it.
- Christmas. A card or a plate of mince pies. For Jewish and Muslim friends, check ingredients: no pork, no alcohol, and gelatine may be an issue.
- A church carol service is open to everyone. Candles, singing and a collection plate. You are welcome and nobody will ask you to join in prayers.
- Please do not say "Hanukkah is the Jewish Christmas" or ask a Christian "but isn't it really a pagan festival?".
- On Christmas Day, remember neighbours who are alone. Many Jewish and Muslim neighbours are also happy to cover shifts, but do not assume.
At work and school
- Hanukkah. There are no work restrictions, but some staff may leave early or work from home for the evening candle lighting. On a Friday the menorah is lit before Shabbat begins, which in London can be mid-afternoon in winter. (Civil Service guide to Judaism.)
- Christmas. Most UK workplaces close for several days. Do not assume that everyone celebrates, and do not expect colleagues of other faiths to "volunteer" for shifts.
- Parties. Make the office or school party inclusive: halal and kosher options, non-alcoholic drinks, and no obligation to join worship. A "winter celebration" with something for everyone works well.
- Schools. Nativity plays and carol concerts are a loved tradition. Parents of other faiths should be told early, and should be offered a choice about taking part in religious elements. The same goes for Hanukkah and Eid assemblies.
- Orthodox Christmas. Colleagues may ask for leave on 7 January. Do not call it "late".
Further reading: The Christian year · Jewish festivals · Prophets: Jesus.
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