Christmas and Hanukkah: the ‘minor’ holidays that grew

It was the biggest sign of unity between Vancouver Jews and Catholics in recent history, at least as far as Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, can tell.

About 250 people from both faiths gathered at Congregation Beth Israel for a discussion on Hanukkah and Christmas Dec. 6.

“The event was a splendid manifestation of the ties that bind Christians and Jews together in an age-old spiritual heritage,” Archbishop Miller said, adding it was the largest Jewish-Catholic gathering in Vancouver at least since he became archbishop here about a decade ago.

“It is wonderful to be able to see … our cultural, religious traditions focused on the holidays, focused on what is in each tradition an occasion of joy.”

The event included a traditional Hanukkah meal, typical Christmas desserts, and a panel of three scholars sharing some of their research about the origins of these holidays and current practices.

“It’s so overwhelming and so delightful to have such a wonderful crowd,” said Rabbi Jonathan Infeld. “The holidays have a particular power to them, a particular meaning,” though that meaning has evolved over time.

For example, UBC Jewish law and ethics chair Gregg Gardner said Hanukkah was likely an invention by 5th- or 6th-century rabbis uncomfortable with a previously existing Jewish holiday marking the success of a military victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks.

Hanukkah was also historically a minor holiday compared to the major Jewish feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or Sukkot.

All that changed when Hanukkah went mainstream in the U.S. in the 1970s, according to professor of modern Jewish history Jay Eidelman. Then, giant Hanukkiahs (the nine-branched candelabras) were seen across North America and media stations were wishing Jews everywhere a happy Hanukkah while actual major Jewish feasts received little coverage.

“There’s a symbiotic relationship between Christmas and Hanukkah,” said Eidelman. “These winter holidays may be minor or might not be what we thought they should be or traditionally should be, but they are the way we define ourselves, the way we interpret our lives.”

Meanwhile, St. Mark’s College professor Father Nick Meisl said Christmas isn’t what it once was  either. In the third century, Church fathers even debated whether it was good to celebrate Jesus’ birthday at all. (Origen argued biblical figures who celebrated their birthdays, like Pharaoh and Antipas, were evil people).

Early Christians had no indication from the Gospels about which day to celebrate Christmas, either. The earliest historical document Father Meisl could find that mentions Jesus’ birthday being celebrated on Dec. 25 dates back to Rome in the year 354.

That same historical document mentions the celebration of the Festival of the Birth of the Unconquered Sun, a pagan Roman feast, also Dec. 25. Father Meisl believes it is possible that Roman Christians began celebrating Christmas on the same day as the major pagan feast and may have even picked up some traditions, like gift-giving, from other Roman holidays held around that time of year.

“Certain practices were influenced by Roman pagan customs,” he said, just like Hanukkah has been influenced by various factors outside Judaism. But it doesn’t make Christmas a pagan tradition: “Modern Biblical scholarship is showing us more and more that it’s impossible to understand what Luke and Matthew want to say about the birth of Jesus without reference to the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible.”

Symbols like the Christmas tree were also adopted far later, with the Vatican putting up its first Christmas tree as recently as 1982.

The evolving traditions and their waxing and waning importance in history can teach both faiths about themselves and their importance to each other. “For Jews, it’s a way to declare who we are, spiritually. It’s also a way to claim space in a culture that is based on Christian custom,” said Eidelman.

He said Hanukkah and Christmas are a good thing for the rest of society, as they draw attention to the diversity of traditions represented in today’s culture.

“It is really wonderful that we had this event, that we were able to sit down together and share a meal. I think that is the way people are brought together. If that’s what we learn this holiday, that’s the best present of all.”

Archbishop Miller was thrilled with the turnout and the hospitality of his Jewish neighbours; Beth Israel stands a 10-minute walk away from his office at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre.

“Such occasions foster friendships and mutual understanding,” he said, “and my hope is that they continue.”

They will. Organizers have already announced plans to host another Jewish-Catholic event in 2019 – this time, to discuss Passover and Easter.