HOLIDAY APPRECIATION: DECEMBER HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD

holidays

At the Y, we believe it is important to recognize and celebrate all diverse Holidays during the month of December. We are grateful to be a part of a diverse community where we can learn from one another and the different cultures we are a part of. We want to take this time to learn about other major holidays celebrated this month and how we can recognize and appreciate these holidays. Let’s take a look at some December holidays celebrated around the world!

 

  1. Ōmisoka

Considered the second-most important day in in Japanese culture, Ōmisoka is considered the final day of the old year and the eve of New Year’s Day. Families celebrate the old year on last time by enjoying a bowl of toshikoshi-soba or toshikoshi-udon. Eating these dishes is a tradition that symbolizes crossing over from one year to the next. Many people will visit shrines or temples for Hatsumōde at midnight. Amazake is passed out to crowds at Shinto shines and many Buddhist temples have large cast bells that are struck once for each of the 108 earthly desires believed to cause human suffering. When seeing someone for the last time before the new year, it is traditional to say “Yoi o-toshi wo”. So, to all celebrating Ōmisoka, “Yo o-toshi wo”!

 

  1. Kwanzaa

Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana Studies, Kwanzaa is an African American and pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community, and culture. Beginning on December 26, Kwanzaa is a seven-day cultural festival that joins together communitarian values and practices of Continental African and African American culture. During Kwanzaa, families and communities will organize activities around the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles). These Seven Principles are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperatie Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). People will also celebrate the holiday with feasts (karamu), music, dance, poetry, narrative and will end the holiday with a day dedicated to reflection and recommitment to Nguzo Saba. To all celebrating Kwanzaa, Heriza Kwanzaa!

 

  1. Hanukkah

The eight-day Jewish celebration Hanukkah, or Chanukah, commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt.  Those who took part in the re-dedication witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued to burn for eight nights. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. It is celebrated from Thursday, December 10 till Friday, December 18 of this year. Several Hanukkah customs include playing with dreidels, exchanging gifts, and lighting the menorah. Each night of Hanukkah’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown. The shamash (“helper”) is the ninth candle that is used to help light the others. When lighting the candles, blessings are recited and families and friends enjoy traditional Hanukkah foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufjanivot (jam-filled donuts). 

 

  1. Boxing Day

Originated in the United Kingdom during the Middle Ages, Boxing Day is celebrated the day after Christmas. Historically the day was celebrated with the collection boxes for the poor (often kept in churches) were opened and distributed to those in need. The day was also celebrated by servants who were traditionally given the day after Christmas to celebrate with their families. It is now a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among other countries. Many modern day celebrations consist of soccer matches and horse racing. The Bahamas specifically celebrate Boxing Day with a street parade and festival called Junkanoo. To all who celebrate, Happy Boxing Day!

 

  1. Christmas

Christmas is celebrated widely around the world and consist of different traditions. In Australia, where Christmas falls in their summer, it is popular to go camping or head to the beach on Christmas morning. Some Australians decorate a “Christmas Bush” whish is a native Australian tree. In England, Christmas is celebrated similar to the U.S. traditions, but instead of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa they live mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas. Iceland celebrates with thirteen different Santa’s, known as Yule Lads. One arrives each night in the thirteen days before Christmas, leaving small gifts in shoes left in the windowsills. To all who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas!

 

No matter what holiday you celebrate in the month of December, we are wishing you a safe, relaxing, and loving holiday season!

 

Source:

https://worldstrides.com/blog/2015/12/december-holidays-around-the-world/

https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/

https://jartsboston.org/hanukkah-2020/

 

 

 

Authored by: cmccauley