Happy Holidays

The holidays are upon us! When you hear “Happy Holidays” what do you think of? Most people probably think of Christmas and Hanukkah, maybe Kwanzaa. But did you know that there are many more holidays that fall in the month of December? I gathered up some info and crafts to do with my kids on the holidays and I thought it might be interesting to share some of those fascinating facts.

Starting on December 6, there is Saint Nicholas Day or the Feast of Saint Nicholas, preceeded by Krampusnacht on December 5. This is mostly celebrated throughout Europe in honor of the Saint that legendarily left money in people’s shoes to help them through hard times. Instead of keeping all his great wealth to himself, he gave to the less fortuanate. According to the story, he left the dowry for two girls too poor to pay any in their drying shoes by the fire in secrecy at night so that the girls were able to marry. Our tradition to hang stockings by the fireplace also stems from this legend. In some areas there is a legend that the day before Saint Nick’s Day a half goat half demon comes to punish bad children before Nicholas arrives. This demon goat is called Krampus. The night of the 5th children leave their shoes out, some with hay or carrots for Saint Nicholas’ horse. Then, the morning of the 6th, children awaken to find small gifts or poems in their shoes.

Bodhi Day falls on the 8th day of the 12th Lunar month, this year it fell on December 8. It is the date that Siddharta Guatama first experienced enlightenment sitting under a Bodhi tree. This day is not observed by all Buddhists however. Many celebrate a different holiday called Vesak which observes the birth, enlightment and passing of Guatama. Celebrations of this holiday include covering a Bodhi tree with lights and lanterns and meditating. The biggest celebration occurs in India where the Bodhi tree he sat under still lives nestled next to a Temple.

This year Hanukkah Begins on December 10th and last until the 18th. Also called the Festival of Lights, this is Jewish Holiday. Though not one of their most sacred holidays, Hanukkah has achieved cultural prominence, most likely due to its closeness to Christmas. Hanukah celebrates the succesful rebellion of the Macabees against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The Talmud states that the Temple’s menorah burned for 8 days even though there was only oil enough for one day’s lighting. Celebrations include playing a game with dreidels, eating oil based foods, and lighting the Menorah each night. The dreidel game is played because of a legend that the Macabees used the tops to cover the fact they were studying their sacred texts, which was illegal at the time. The oil based foods are to signify the sacred oil that burned for so long, and the 8 candles signify the 8 days it burned. My favorite are the Latkes. I love Latkes.

December 13th marks the day of Saint Lucia. A Swedish Holiday that commemorates a martyr that legenadrily snuck food and water to early Christianas hiding from the Roman Emporer underground. She couldn’t carry candles to see as her hands were filled with provisions, so she crafted herself a crown of candles made from Holly and Ivy. St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated with sweets given out by the eldest girl dressed in white and donned with a candle crown. These sweets are often gingersnaps and washed down with coffee.

Multiple Holidays ancient and modern revolve around celebration of the Solstice. Many of these traditions were obsorbed into the traditions of Christmas, and so many probably couldn’t distinguish them as seperate holidays. Most prominent and still observed is the tradition of Yule. This has been celebrated since Pre-Roman times throughout ancient Germanic and Scandinavian Culture. It is traditionally tied to the Wild Hunt and the Norse God Odin. In Germanic tradition, a large feast was held, and a sacrifice was borught to the Gods. People, happy the long nights were getting shorter, would bring pine branches inside and make wreaths of them or deceorate their homes with them. They often built huge fires or placed candles in their windows. The Yule Log is another ancient tradition that revolves around burning an ash tree to honor Thor. Today, this holiday is observed by modern day Pagans and some Satanists. Many observe some version of both Yule and Christmas, while others adher as closely to the ancient tradtions as they can. Yule is significant becasue it preserves ancient tradition and culture and should not be washed away by the larger Christmas Celebration.

Christmas falls on December the 25th. There is some debate about the date and why its in December, but whatever the reason, modern celebrations fall in late December. This is a Christian Holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus. Modern tradtions include a candleight service the night before and what is called a Longest Night service to honor loved ones not able to celebrate with their families. Gifts are given and a large meal is usually made. Some more secular traditions involve writing letters to Santa and Hanging Stockings for him to fill for good boys and girls. This is by far the biggest December Holiday in the United States and it often dominates stores and media for an entire two month stretch between November and December. Christmas is special becasue it brings families together to make memories.

Boxing Day Falls on December 26th and is also Saint Stephen’s Day. It originated in the UK and is still observed in many places that were or are part of Britian. This was a day traditionally meant as a relaxing day for servants and when their masters or employers would give them a gift. Saint Stephen’s Day is a religious Holiday honoring the first Christian martyr, Stephen.

December 26 also begins the celebration of Kwanzaa, an African American Holiday as a celebration of life. It focuses on African Heritage, Unity and Culture. It is based on African Harvest festival traditions from various regions and was first celebrated in 1966. Many people don’t know much about Kwanzaa perhaps because its still relatively new. Its traditions include a large feast usually falling on the 6th day, lighting a candle in a special candle holder called a Kinara, and playing music.

Lastly, as it falls on the last day of the year, comes Omisoka. This is Japanese tradition for families to gather together and prepare for the coming year. They might purify their homes of bad spirits, repay debts, or bathe themsleves and then relax. Close to the end of the day they will eat long noodles as part of an old tradition to carry over to the next year. At midnight many visit a Temple or Shrine to bring the new year in with a clean, pure beginning.

So the next time somone tells you “Happy Holidays!” You will have a little more knowledge about what all those holidays are. I am of course no experts on World Cultures, these are just a tidbit of what holidays are observed around the world. If you have any additions or changes, let me know, I’d love to learn about them! And of course, Happy Holidays!!