The holidays are extra special this year. Not only is Dec. 25 Christmas, but it marks the beginning of Hanukkah. This particular alignment of the holidays is rare. In fact, it has only occurred four other times since 1900,

The start of the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah, falls on the same day as Christmas this year, and the occurrence is rare.

Hanukkah can begin as early as Nov. 28 or as late as Dec. 27, depending on the year, according to Reader's Digest. Hanukkah changes dates every year — in the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world — because it is based on the Hebrew calendar.

F or the first time since 2005, the first night of Hanukkah will fall on the same day as Christmas. The two winter holidays converge an average of five times a century, according to Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis.

They’re the holidays that bring light to the darkest part of the year, and for the first time in nearly two decades, the first night of Hanukkah fell on Christmas. “We get to be together with our families and celebrate light and freedom.