December 25th: Just an Ordinary Day

Ask any American what December 25^th is and they will immediately say: “Christmas.” Even those who do not celebrate the holiday know about this date; how can they forget? Between the sales at the mall to commercials on TV to decorations in homes and stores across the nation, everything and everyone reminds you that it is Christmas. Even Jews in the US have their tradition of going to the movies and eating Chinese food. It is a religious day for many, a day off for others and a quiet day in the business world…but not in Israel.

Today I woke up, caught the train to work and sat at my desk- business as usual. It is true that I received fewer emails from abroad, but for the most part December 25^th is no different from the 24^th or the 26^th.

Do I miss Christmas or the “Christmas spirit”? No, not at all.

While I no longer go to the movies or eat Chinese food, I have plenty of other traditions that speak to me and my holidays.

During Chanukah in Israel, my winter holiday, the bakeries are filled with jelly donuts, friends host parties to light candles and kids go to shows filled with singing and dancing.

It is true that if I were in Bethlehem, Nazareth or the Christian quarter of the old city of Jerusalem then I would know today is Christmas, but for most Israelis and for me, today is just an ordinary day.