Christmas and HanukkahDaniela, Jenny, Luke, Adam, Eric

Pascack Valley High School, Hillsdale, New Jersey, USA

Mr. Jasper’s Class

Why is Christmas celebrated?Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ

who is known as the savior of the Jews according to the Old Testament

His parents, Mary and Joseph, were turned down from inns in the town when Mary was about to give birth to Jesus. He was born in a manger in Bethlehem

Shepherds and kings followed a bright star in search of the new king and brought him gifts

Christmas Traditions

A few days before christmas,families decorate a christmas tree with ornaments, tinsel and put a star or angel on the top

Candy Canes are a peppermint candy with red and white stripes that are typically given out during christmas

Giving and Receiving gifts for Christmas

In the month of December, Christians start shopping for gifts for every member of the family.

On Christmas Day, all the gifts are open under a Christmas Tree first thing in the morning.

Myths for ChristmasSanta Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, St. Nicolas and Kris Kringle is a

legendary figure that is said to live in the North Pole and bring gifts during the

overnight hours of Christmas Eve on December 24th in a sleigh that flies with

reindeer.

People believe that he has a magical workshop in the North Pole with little

elves that make the toys

This myth was created based on the history of St. Nicolas, who was a monk

that gave away his inherited wealth and traveled to help the sick and poor. His

popularity spread in Europe and was eventually titled protector of the children.

Why is Hanukkah celebrated?

A long time ago, the Jews fought in a war against the Greeks over the Jew’s land. The Jews were lead by an army called the Maccabees

After the war, there was little oil left to light the menorah in their temple which was supposed to burn every night

The Jews thought that the oil would only last for 1 day but instead it lasted for 8 whole nights

To celebrate Hanukkah, Jews light a menorah or hanukiah which has 9 branches. Prayers are said before the menorah is lighted

You light one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. An extra light called a shamash is lit on each night and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest.

A dreidel is commonly played with amoung children. A dreidel is a spinning top with Hebrew letters on the sides

Hanukkah Traditions

Gift giving and receiving is not a traditional part of Hanukkah.

Kids are given one present for each night and are the only ones to recieve presents.

Kids usually receive “gelt”, which is money, or chocolate gelt for dessert

Giving and Receiving gifts for Hanukkah

Myths for Hanukkah

It is believed that a place to put a menorah is on a windowsill insdie but the best place to put it is outside on the left of the front door

Another myth is that Hanukkah is the most important holiday for Jews but it is actually not. Some of the biggest holidays are Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur

Holiday SpiritPeople are in the holiday spirit all through December.

Holiday songs are played on the radio

Holiday themed shows are on TV such as the classic stories of Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Malls and schools are decorated with Christmas trees and snowflakes

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Frosty the Snowman