Different Religious Holidays in December
by Laura Clipson
• Published 08/12/2022
Many people’s main focus in December is on Christmas, but there are several other important holidays at this time of year, each with different traditions.
We’ll start with the most well known holiday in December. Christmas was originally a Christian holiday, though in recent years it has also become a secular family holiday which is observed by both Christians and the non-religious alike. It takes place on December 25th every year, with Christmas Eve the day before, and Boxing Day the day after.
Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, and will attend church services as part of their celebrations. Christmas is traditionally celebrated by singing carols, exchanging gifts, decorating trees and houses, and feasting.
Traditionally a holiday celebrated by Jewish people, Hanukkah starts on the 25th of the Hebrew month Kislev, which this year occurs on Sunday 18th December. It is observed for 8 days and nights, and celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The name means festival of lights, and is observed by the lighting of candles in a menorah. One candle in the branch of nine is lit each night, until all are lit together on the final night.
Other traditions include singing Hanukkah songs, spinning dreidels, prayer, and feasting, often foods fried in oil.
Sometimes connected with Christmas, Yule is a norse holiday marking the end of the year and the beginning of longer days. It is celebrated over 12 days, from 21st December (the winter solstice) to 1st January.
It is a holiday revolving around nature, so the decorating of trees and the hanging of wreaths are common ways to celebrate, as well as a harvest feast. It is one of the oldest winter festivities, having come from pagan roots, and is the origin of numerous winter holiday traditions, such as the 12 days of Christmas.
A cultural holiday rather than a religious one, Kwanzaa is generally celebrated by those with African roots. It takes place from 26th December to 1st January, and is a harvest festival and celebration of life. Like Hanukkah, candles are a large part of Kwanzaa traditions. A candle on a kinara (a 7 candle holder) is lit each day of the festivities.
More traditions of Kwanzaa include the preparing and sharing of traditional food, exchanging gifts, and reflecting on African heritage.
Thank you for reading.
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