Winter break is quickly approaching, and with that, so is the holiday season! Many people celebrate different holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year! What holidays do you celebrate?
Christmas is widely celebrated by Christians to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. Christmas is celebrated with lots of decorating, and of course the Christmas tree! Christmas gifts are opened on Christmas morning to symbolize the gifts that the three wise men gave baby Jesus after he was born. Throughout modernization and media, the character of Santa was created, and is now a huge part of the holiday! It is said that he will drop presents off at kids houses on Christmas Eve and leave them under the tree. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. Most families get together to have Christmas parties and dinners whilst approaching the holiday. Christmas alone is celebrated by two billion people around the world!
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated in honor of the Jewish fighters that saved a temple from foreign forces. They only had a little bit of oil but were able to keep the menorah lit for eight days, hence the tradition of lighting the menorah for eight days. There are around 15.7 million Jewish people around the world, so it is expected that a majority of them celebrate. The dates of Hanukkah change every year because it is based on the Hebrew calendar, and fall on the month of Kislev. Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting the menorah and giving to charities or social work.
Kwanzaa is an African holiday celebrated by 30 million people, and only 4% of Americans. This holiday is used to express African values, history, and principles. These principles are in the Swahili language. They are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective Responsibility and Work), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). This holiday is celebrated over the course of 7 days (one week). Africans celebrate by having large feasts, coming together to honor and celebrate African culture. Every night for a week they light the Kinara to celebrate a different principle. Kwanzaa brings people together through food, music, stories, and presents are given on the final day of Kwanzaa, New Years Day.
New Years is something almost everybody celebrates, to celebrate the start of a new calendar year. People often set New Year’s resolutions or goals for the new year. People love to have a clean slate for the new year. Most people stay up until midnight to celebrate the minute the clock hits midnight. There is lots of music, parties, and food while people wait for the clock to strike 12!
No matter what you celebrate, it is so important to learn about other cultures, and embrace them. Happy Holidays!
