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The Other December Holidays

The Other December Holidays. Hanukkah. Dates dependent on Jewish calendar Celebrates the miracle of the Hanukkah oil In 168 B.C. Jewish Temple was seized and used to worship Zeus

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The Other December Holidays

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  1. The Other December Holidays

  2. Hanukkah • Dates dependent on Jewish calendar • Celebrates the miracle of the Hanukkah oil • In 168 B.C. Jewish Temple was seized and used to worship Zeus • After Maccabees regained control, they attempted to purify the Temple by burning ritual oil in the menorah for eight days, but there was only one day's worth of oil left. They lit the menorah anyway, and it lasted the full eight days.

  3. Hanukkah • Celebrated for 8 days: One candle is lit on the first night, two on the second, and so on, until eight candles are lit. • Because Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of oil, it is traditional to eat fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot during the holiday • A popular Hanukkah game is spinning the dreidel

  4. Kwanzaa • December 26 thru January 1 • African-American holiday; celebrates family, community and culture • Kwanzaa is derived from a phrase that means "first fruits" in Swahili • Established in 1966 in the midst of the Black Freedom Movement; reflects a concern for reaffirming and restoring rootedness in African culture. • Cultural, not religious, holiday; but is a time of special reverence for the creator and creation in thanks and respect for bountifulness and beauty of creation

  5. Winter Solstice • On or around December 21; December 25 in the Julian calendar • Ancient Pagan tradition celebrating rebirth and new life • Marks the end of the long dark nights of winter and hints at the return of light and warmth • Decorating with evergreens symbolized return of green plants • Various celebrations included gifts, sharing of food and singing songs

  6. Relationship of Holidays • According to Jewish law, Hanukkah is one of the less important Jewish holidays. However, Hanukkah has become much more popular in modern practice because of its proximity to Christmas. • Because Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, those who celebrate it may also celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah.

  7. Secular Christmas Traditions • Since the 4th century A.D, Christians began blending pagan winter solstice traditions with Christian rituals • Yule may come from the Norse jól, referring to the pre-Christian winter solstice festival  • Lighting a Yule log, evergreen decorations, gifts, sharing food, singing of songs

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