(COLORADO SPRINGS) — In a rare conjoining of calendars, Christmas Day 2024 also marked the first night of Hanukkah, and Colorado Springs neighbors gathered to celebrate. Traditional Hanukkah songs could be heard from Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs as the first candle was lit for the eight-day Jewish festival of lights. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces. Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora MitchellCourtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora MitchellCourtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora MitchellCourtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora MitchellCourtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora MitchellCourtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora Mitchell Dec. 25, 2024 is only the fifth time since 1900 that Hanukkah has fallen on Christmas Day. That's because the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles, and is not in sync with the solar calendar most of the world uses, which sets Christmas on Dec. 25. "We spend a lot of our time in our lives arguing with people. We see there's a lot of strife in the world and there's a lot of darkness in the world as well. And so it's beautiful that we can come and celebrate a holiday where we celebrate the idea of bringing light into the world. And it's always nice to know that there are other religions in the world that are celebrating similar things." Hanukkah ends on Jan. 2 this year.