It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. With the end of the year quickly approaching, the holiday season is in full swing. But what about all of the other holidays that take place during the Christmas season?
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that takes place during the months of November or December. According to History.com, Hanukkah “commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.” While the holiday does not fall on a fixed date each year, the celebration begins on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. This year, Hanukkah begins the night of Dec. 14 and the festivities last until Dec. 22. Sophomore Quinn Kramer plays dreidel with her family each night after lighting the Menorah.
“I like playing dreidel, which is a fun game where you have a pot of chocolate or coins in the middle and you take turns spinning the dreidel,” said Kramer. “Each side of the dreidel has a Hebrew letter: ‘Gimel’ means you get the whole pot; ‘Nun’ means you get nothing; ‘Shin’ means you have to put a piece of your chocolate or coin in the pot; and ‘Hey’ means you get half the pot. I also like getting presents.”
Some families combine holidays to create their own, unique celebrations. Kramer’s family also celebrates Christmas, which makes her holiday festivities look a little different. “It depends on what day Hanukkah is,” said Kramer. “Since the days of Hanukkah always change, some days it falls on Christmas or Christmas Eve, so we’re always celebrating.”
Another winter holiday that takes place over Christmas break is Kwanzaa, celebrated annually starting on Dec. 26 and lasting until Jan. 1. The National Museum of African American History (NMAAH) defines Kwanzaa as “an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, community and culture.” The celebration was first created in 1996 by activist Maulana Ron Karenga, with the holiday’s name originating from the Swahili language. The article by the NMAAH further explains that a grand feast is held during the week of festivities, and each day, a candle is lit on the Kinara to represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa: “Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).”
Yule is a pagan holiday that celebrates the days following the winter solstice. The winter solstice, which typically occurs Dec. 21 or 22, is the shortest day followed by the longest night of the year, when the sun is farthest away from the Northern Hemisphere. After the solstice, the days begin to get longer again, and Yule is the celebration of the coming of light after the darkness. The holiday begins Dec. 21, the day of the winter solstice, and lasts until Jan. 1. According to Britannica.com, Yule is celebrated today by the Germanic people and Neo-Pagan population globally, with the holiday having roots in Norse traditions. Traditionally, Yule was celebrated by burning Yule logs and hosting a feast, but modern festivities include baking Yule log cakes and creating a Yule goat out of straw.
Regardless of your faith, culture, or background, the winter holidays are a time full of cheer.
