Christmas and Hanukkah in Israel

Christmas in Israel generally coincides with Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light, which spreads a festive spirit across the land. The celebrations are about to begin. Hanukkah in Israel is widely celebrated and marked by many symbolic events and, of course, foods. The Festival of Light, Hanukkah is an eight day festival, a celebration of hope and freedom. Meanwhile, Christmas in Israel is is truly Christmas in the Holy Land. In the town of Bethlehem, magnificent services take place on Christmas Eve. Here are a few little quilts that remind us of the historical significance of Israel for both religions.

O Little Town of Bethlehem by Jenna Bruns at Cotton Patch Designs

How far is it to Bethlehem, detail, by Rachel W.N. Brown from the book Adoration Quilts - Appliqué Nativity Projects published by Martingale

Yonder Star by Ann Lauer at Grizzly Gulch Gallery (Montana)

Nativity Scene at Creations Sew Clever (Ohio)

 
This year Hanukkah begins on Tuesday, December 20, and ends at sunset on Wednesday, December 28. The festival of Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE. Upon re-entering the Temple, it was found that there was only enough oil for the menorah to last for one day. The miracle of Hanukkah was that the oil burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil. An eight day festival was declared by the Jewish sages to commemorate this miracle which is observed by the kindling of the lights of the Menorah. The festival is symbolized in these charming wall hangings.

Happy Hanukkah by Elizabeth Rosenberg, pattern at Dreidel

Home for Hanukkah, 32.5" x 57.5", by Cheryl Lynch at Cheryl Lynch Quilts. Featured in McCall's Quilting 2009

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Home Tweet Home Mini quilt, ~15" square, free pattern by Jen Daly for Moda Bakeshop (CLICK for PDF download)

Birdhouse Quilt, 52 x 66", free pattern at Tilda's World (CLICK for PDF download)

No Place Like Home, 60 x 80", free pattern by Nancy Mahoney for Hoffman California Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Autumn is for Birds, 38 x 49", free pattern by Linda Fitch for Hoffman California Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Tweetly Dee wall quilt, ~21 x 31", free pattern by Lisa Swenson Ruble for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Pecking Order quilt, 35 x 39", free pattern by Debby Kratovil for PB Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Garden Glory quilt, 50 x 62", free pattern by Karen Embry for Blank Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Cuckoo clock quilt, 48 x 48", free pattern by Kelly Lee-Creel for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Flight of Fancy quilt, ~56 x 70", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Tweet Me Quilt, 46 x 46", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Perch quilt, 47 x 59", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Timeless Treasures (CLICK for PDF download) 

Blue Bird quilt, 56 x 66", free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Birdhouse Neighborhood quilt, 44 x 54", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard at Ivory Spring (CLICK for PDF download)

Tweet Street quilt, 55 x 65", free pattern by Sue Zipkin for Clothworks (CLICK for PDF download)

Tweet Street quilt, 31 x 41", free pattern by Pat Sloan (CLICK for PDF download)

Garden Party,  free paper-pieced patterns by Megan at Monkey Beans (CLICK for PDF download)

Home Tweet Home by Janet Page Kessler for Benartex (CLICK for PDF download)

Wingin' It quilt, 68 x 80", free pattern by The Buggy Barn for Henry Glass (CLICK for PDF download)

Bird houses, a free paper piecing pattern by Cheryl Lynch at Cheryl Lynch Quilts (CLICK for tutorial)

Bug-a-Boo quilt, 37 x 46", including templates for the birdhouse, flowers and bugs, by Hilary Gooding for Makower UK (CLICK for PDF download)

Birdcage on a Chain, free pattern, by Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit (CLICK for PDF download)

 

Bird House blocks, free pattern at Apple Avenue Quilts (CLICK for PDF download)

Bird Cage Hoop embroidery, free pattern at Fabric Editions (CLICK for PDF download)

Summer Garden quilt, 68 x 68", free pattern by Lynette Anderson for Lecien (CLICK for PDF download)

Machine embroidered birdhouse, free pattern and tutorial by Kathy Beymer at Merriment Design (CLICK for tutorial)

Image credits:  This post was updated on October 8, 2023. All images are copyrighted by their owners. Please respect their generosity in sharing their free patterns, and the restrictions they have placed on the use of these designs. Complete information can be found at the designers' websites provided in the links.  If any link is broken, we'd love to know so we can fix it; email us at QuiltInspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.