Holiday Celebrations and Traditions
While there’s no single explanation, many experts agree that December holidays date back to ancient celebrations surrounding the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year but also marks a sort of “birth of light”—because every day after that grows slightly longer for the next six months. The winter solstice occurs in the third week of December.
As we move closer to the holiday season, we want to acknowledge and appreciate how this time of year is celebrated in different ways within our community and around the world. The richness of our communities is an outcome of the diversity that exists. Learning more about traditions and celebrations and our neighbors who participate in them, helps to recognize the many unique things in our region that connect us.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah this year is celebrated December 10-18 and is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It is also known as the Festival of Lights
Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah
Christmas
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world.
The traditional Christmas narrative, the Nativity of Jesus, mentioned in the New Testament says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds who then further disseminated the information and brought gifts.
Christmas traditions and celebrations have taken on different forms over the years and vary from country to country.
Kwanza
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually held on the 6th day. The celebration is based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of Africa, including West and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966.
The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder), then one of the seven principles is discussed. The principles, called the Nguzo Saba (seven principles in Swahili) are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans. Kwanzaa also has seven basic symbols which represent values and concepts reflective of African culture. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31.
These are only three of the many celebrations that take place and we urge the D102 community to learn more about them and discuss them with your children.
