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2005-12-22

Christmas Celebrations Around The World

Fran Klasinski
Thurs 8:58 PM 12/22/2005

Yesterday was the Winter Solstice, shortest day of the year.

Christmas celebrations should be cheery.  A way to renew our past
year with feelings of giving and connecting with loved ones often
not seen during our busy year.

Along with the baking of cookies and yuletide cakes and puddings,
putting up decorations and preparing the feast for family, comes
the moment of silent reflection of who we are and how we live
in our very big world.

Our neighborhoods are International in flavor and the wonder of
learning something new is at our doorstep.  What do you know
about your neighbors, your new friends from different countries
and how they celebrate, if they celebrate the Christmas season at
all?

 In keeping with the spirit of the season, here are three other holiday
celebrants we would like to share; Kwanzaa, Chanukah,  & Eid.

Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Celebrated from 26 December thru 1 January, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the most widely spoken African language.


Every year between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, but the starting date on the western calendar varies from year to year. The holiday celebrates the events which took place over 2,300 years ago in the land of Judea, which is now Israel
This year (5766 / 2005-2006) Chanukah begins on December 25, 2005, and ends on January 2, 2006.

Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic:, often abbreviated as simply Eid, is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Fitr means "to break" and therefore symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period and of all evil habits.
Eid is a time to come together as a community and to renew friendship and family ties. This is a time for peace for all Muslims in the world to devote to prayers and mutual well-being.

Do you have more information on the way the different cultures in your neighborhood celebrate
the Chrismas season?  If so, then please share your comments with our readers?

TAGS: Christmas Around The World | kwanzaa | Chanukah | Eid | Christmas Celebrations | yuletide |


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