During the month of December, three major festivals are celebrated. While Christmas is the most well known, other traditions may not be as well known to readers. These popular holiday traditions are Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. Each is celebrated within days of each other and often, because of our cultural and religious differences, we sometimes miss finding out the details about what each tradition means to its celebrants.

Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas are all meant to be festive celebrations, which allow for the spirit of generosity and practice of tradition. Getting to know the basic features and history of each, allows for greater understanding of what makes these various holiday traditions special to each of its celebrants.

A Guide to Hannukah

Hannukah celebrates the “miraculous” victory of the Jews in reclaiming the second Holy Temple during the Maccabean Revolt led by  Judah Maccabee in 139BCE. Hannukah is celebrated in the winter time each year from December 7th to December 15th.

The name Hannukah is taken from the Hebrew word “Chanukah”, which also means rededication. The fundamental feature of Hannukah is that the re-dedication of the Holy Temple seems to have had the symbol of God’s approval. The significance being their one-day supply of oil used to light the Temple’s menorah lasted eight days, instead of just the one day they thought would last them.

The eight days were used to prepare new oil according to purity guidelines. Today Hannukah is a festival of fried foods and celebrated by the nightly lighting of the menorah and special prayers also known as The Festival of Lights.

Looking at Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st each year. What does the name mean?  According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase which means first fruits.

It was created as a tradition in the U.S., in 1966, by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga.  It celebrates the core principles of Unity, Self Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.

The Kwanzaa festivities feature candle-lighting ceremonies, the sharing of favorite and traditional meals grounded in African American, Africa, the Carribean, and South American heritage. Each day of the festivities focuses on highlighting one of the core principles that may be meditated on, with the last day known as Karamu often celebrated by the giving of gifts.

Origins of Christmas

First known as Saint Nicholas, of the Eastern Orthodox church, the person known as St. Nicholas is historically from country of Turkey and is most known for his generosity despite his wealthy family background.

The celebration of his life has grown into the tradition that is widely celebrated as Christmas. One of the traditions that continue during these modern times is the giving of gifts.

The Christmas holiday is more widely celebrated on December 25th annually. This date is based on the work of Sextus Julius Africanus. He is known to be the first Christian historian who produces a universal chronology.

Is A Holiday Tradition For Everyone?

Are traditional celebrations outlawed for Christians? God has a history of allowing humans the ability to decide what is right for them as long as it does not conflict with His own laws.  But even then,  we have a choice to obey.

The benefit of traditions are that they allow for community, family bonding, and can be an avenue to build treasured memories.

There should be no requirement that any celebration be excluded or required in a specific way, but we must remember that Christ requires love and acceptance of members of society, regardless of whether they choose to remain free from tradition or celebrate according to their conscience and not celebrate at all.