Christmas is celebrated in Israel at the same time as the Hanukkah holiday. Here are some interesting Christmas walks and activities in Jerusalem, the Kinneret and Tel Aviv.
By Chiquita Levov
Christmas at the American Colony Hotel
The American Colony in Jerusalem is the ideal place to experience the Christmas atmosphere without having to use a passport. This is one of the hotels in Israel where you can enjoy the magical atmosphere of Christmas, with gourmet meals and fascinating Christmas light decorations. Green, white and red lights have been hung throughout the hotel and fir trees decorate the spaces, creating a very festive atmosphere. The hotel offers visitors a magical winter like abroad through unique packages, with
Good food in the basement bar and in the hotel restaurants. And a special ritual “Tea time”. (On reservation). On 24.12 there will be a particularly festive Christmas dinner in the hotel and on 25.12 at noon there will be a special lunch. Further information: http://www.americancolony.com
“Tea time” is an English afternoon tea, which is held every day at the hotel in the flowery courtyard or in the Arabesque restaurant, these days also by the lit fireplace in the “Val's” restaurant. A three-tiered tray with a variety of sandwiches and desserts is served, and of course a nice cup of tea. In addition, the hotel is hosting the “Val's” tea party on weekends.“Olive Festival”, celebrating the olive harvest and the olive oil production process. Featuring tours, olive oil tastings, meals and more. Guests can enjoy a tour of the herb and spice garden, taste olive oils and enjoy tea made from local plants.
The American Colony Hotel has been awarded the title of Israel’s leading boutique hotel on numerous occasions, not only for its high level of service and for being an extraordinary holiday experience, but also for its glorious past and for being an Ottoman architectural gem built in 1860 that was formerly used as the palace of the local Pasha and his four wives. The hotel features spectacular Arabic arches, antique furniture, spacious suites and oriental carpets, all of which create a magical experience that unites East and West in a romantic and tranquil atmosphere. It belongs to the prestigious organization “Small Luxury Hotels of the World” (SLH), an organization that illustrates the commitment to high standards in the field of hospitality.
Christmas music in “Magdala”
Church of the Holy Spirit
The Hotel “Magdala” On the shores of the Sea of Galilee (Kineret) opens the winter with a festive musical atmosphere, a celebration of culture and light: “Music in the Sea of “Kinneret”. An event on the occasion of the holidays: the magic of Christmas and Hanukkah. A connection between cultures, facing the paths of history and the first century of Jewish settlement in ancient Migdal. The Israeli public is invited to enjoy a classic Christmas atmosphere, as abroad, only here in Israel, and with a gift in the spirit of the holidays. The program with 3 festive concerts, in the
spiritual center ““Duc in Altum” dthe Sea of Galilee. To complete the hospitality experience, the hotel will decorate the huge fir tree in the centre of the lobby for Christmas in the best tradition. In an atmosphere marked by Christmas lights and music in Magdala, the Hanukkah festival will also be celebrated. (Ticket reservations are recommended.) More information: www.magdalahotel.com
Let us remember that for more than a year everything has changed in the general atmosphere, and especially in that northern area. But the arrival of winter is already felt in the air and with it the tradition is preserved in Magdala. The concerts of the cycle have been carefully adapted to the Christmas season, interpreting cultural classics, powerful nature and the charm of the Sea of Galilee. It opens with a festive concert: sounds of the Czech soul, mass, songs and dances by Dvořák, voices and wind instruments, with the Madrigal Ensemble conducted by David Magen and the best vocal liturgical music. (7.12)
Tree in Magdala
The Christmas Concert with the ““Alma Ensemble”. In a spectacular ancient setting
and a Galilean landscape as a backdrop, the angelic singing of the singers, the percussion and the guitar will be heard: Eyal Leber . (21.12) ““Chanukkah” a concert in the atmosphere of the two festivals of light, with the best Hanukkah songs and Christmas songs from the church and the best of “Ensmable Alma” with the guitarist Eyal Leber. It will be an unforgettable experience: at sunset, facing the Kinneret, in the spectacular church of “Duc in Altum”. Before that, there will be a joint candle lighting ceremony in the hotel lobby, followed by a walk through the hotel gardens to the spiritual center. (27.12)
“Liturgical” from Nazareth to Jerusalem:
The Liturgical Festival, a tradition at this time of year, has been held for 5 years in the churches of Nazareth. This year the sixth edition is taking place in the historic YMCA complex in Jerusalem. It is an important event that is produced on the initiative of “Polyphony”, under the direction of the internationally renowned violinist and musician Nabeel Abboud-Ashkar. This year, too, in the capital, spectators are invited to a special experience in the Christmas atmosphere. The programme will include many liturgical concerts, original productions, 3 major concerts that will be filmed and broadcast live on the festival site. And a colourful Christmas market. Between 20 and 24 December. More information: https://liturgicalnazareth.co.il
The war in the north made it impossible to celebrate the liturgical feast in its natural home of Nazareth this year, and it was decided to move the festival to Jerusalem. Nabil Abboud Ashkar says: “Precisely in these days we see an enormous importance in continuing to play together, Arabs and Jews.” Polyphony emphasizes that as an association whose main goal is to bridge the gaps between the Arab and Jewish communities in Israel through music, the connection with the YMCA is a natural one.
Noor Darwish
Some concerts: The Galilee Orchestra, with Arab and Jewish musicians, will once again be at the centre of the festival this year, in two liturgical programmes under the baton of Abboud-Ashkar. Israeli Vocal Ensemble, with the opera soloists Noor Darwish, Dorin Sassin, y Odd. Reich. With pieces by Bach and Vivaldi. Mendelssohn's “Reformation” Symphony with soloists Ella Vasilevsky and Rachel Frankel. The seminar on music and social leadership brings together young Arabs and Jews from Nazareth and Tel Aviv on an extraordinary musical journey. And a special production by the duo Maya Belsitzman y Matan Efrat, accompanied by a polyphonic quartet.
Christmas walks in Tel Aviv
During the month of December, the Tel Aviv-Jafo Municipality carries out through
the tourism entity “Global City” ” (Ir Olam) a variety of unique tours in honor of Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year. Among the Christmas tours: a visit to Doris's house for Christmas, a tour with Christmas experiences in a festive atmosphere in Iafo, getting to know the tradition of “Novigod” (New Year) up close on a night tour of Florentine. Each tour offers a unique insight into local culture and history, combining tastings, personal stories and candle lighting at special sites in the city. The tours are paid and with prior registration. We bring some of the tours. More information: https://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/
Christmas stay at Doris's house: You are invited to hear Doris' fascinating and personal story about her childhood, the schools she attended and also a glimpse into her life as part of a well-known and privileged Christian family in Jaffa. Doris will share her personal view of life in the Arab sector of Jaffa, as well as taste fine coffee and artisanal baklawa in a Christmas-decorated home. On 19.12.
Christmas in Iafo
Yehuda Macabí Santa Claus Corner, is a festive tour of Jaffa, as there is nothing better than Jaffa in December, celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas in every corner. A tour takes you through ancient synagogues, ornate churches and the narrow streets of old Jaffa, passing through the many galleries in this area. In a festive atmosphere, enjoy coffee and cakes. On 26.12.
Christmas at Neve Shaanan: This neighborhood and the Tel-Aviv Central Station complex are identified as the main bastion of migrant workers and refugees who turned the place into a unique and colorful cosmopolitan mix. Many of those living in the neighborhood are Christians who converted the buildings into churches to hold ceremonies and festive events, especially on weekends. Christian activity peaks at Christmas with very colorful ceremonies, which will be the theme of this tour. On 28.12.
New Year – Florentin Nightlife Tour. Nightlife in this famous district received a significant boost with the transformation of the bar street into a spacious pedestrian street, open to visitors every night of the week. The walk explores the unique character of each bar, including the legendary ones, sampling the nightlife at Levinsky Market. On 31.12
Christmas is a pagan holiday invented by the Catholic Church. It is celebrated by Christians, atheists and other denominations alike. They say it is Yeshua's birthday, but He was not born on 25.12/XNUMX,
He was born on the first day of Sukkot.
This celebration is in honor of Tammuz, the son of Semiramis. Before, the Saturnalia festival was celebrated on the winter solstice, now it is only commercial, spending money on gifts, decorations, lights, food, clothes, etc.
The New Year is the holiday dedicated to the god Janus, who has two faces, one looking at the past, the year that is leaving and the other looking at the future, the new year.
The new year in the Bible is the first of Aviv.
In the Bible there is the festival of Hanukkah, which Yeshua celebrated.
John 10.22-23
You cannot mix light with darkness. Hanukkah and Christmas and New Year.
2 Corinthians 6.14