What are you celebrating this December?
@MothersWorkAtHome (966)
United States
December 13, 2006 2:03pm CST
Christmas?
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday that marks the traditional birthdate of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas combines Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus with various secular traditions and customs, many of which were influenced by ancient winter festivals such as Yule[1] and Saturnalia. Christmas traditions include Nativity scenes and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, giving, compassion, and quality family time.
Christmas is traditionally on December 25. It is preceded by Christmas Eve and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day. Some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 of the Julian calendar. These dates are merely traditional and neither is thought to be the actual birthdate of Jesus.[2]
Christmas is celebrated in most countries around the world, owing to the spread of Christianity and Western culture, mixed with the enduring popularity of existing winter celebrations. Various local and regional Christmas traditions are still practiced, despite the widespread influence of American and British Christmas motifs disseminated by film, popular literature, television, and other media.
Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is the annual Jewish festival celebrated on eight successive days beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, the third month of the Jewish calendar, corresponding, approximately, to December in the Gregorian calendar. It is also known as the Festival of Lights, Feast of Dedication, and Feast of the Maccabees, Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC after the Temple had been profaned by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, king of Syria and overlord of Palestine.
what else are others celebrating at this time?? please tell us about your traditions..
6 people like this
50 responses
@ivorysterling (71)
• United States
14 Dec 06
I am a converted Jew with a Jewish family, but I also celebrate with my Christian family as well. We will be celebrating both holidays this year, but we are mainly teaching our son about Hannukah since he is being raised Jewish. He is not learning any other traditions. He will know that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are nothing more to us than time to get together with our family and show each other that we love each other and have a good time together.
This is the time of year, to us, to remember the struggle the Jews went through to reclaim their temples from the Greeks and "the miracle that happened there". :)
@chasingsunlight (261)
• United States
17 Nov 08
I really appreciated your post. I am 100% Jewish, but we used to get together with relatives who celebrate both on Christmas. I always knew that Hannukah was my holiday, but I appreciated that on Christmas we spent time with loved ones who had their own views and traditions that we support.
@tyinquarter (304)
• United States
13 Dec 06
I celebrate both kind of. I am a converting Jew (before Katrina) and that has been put on hold for a bit. I see the December season as neither a celebration of Jesus' birthday nor the Macabees. Instead, I think of it as a celebration of remembering family, friends, and spreading "good will" towards all men. I kind of think of it as my renewal period. I do put up a Christmas tree as well as decorate with silver and blue (the traditional Hannukah colors). This year I will try to add a menorah. But I do not see myself adding Kwanza. Just the ancient traditions for me!
@chasingsunlight (261)
• United States
17 Nov 08
I will be celebrating Hanukkah. I am extremely proud of my holiday and my religion. I hate when people minimize or make fun of my holiday because it isn't "as good" as Christmas. For me, Hanukkah is better than Christmas and (unlike many of my Christmas-celebrating friends) I actually know the spiritual context of my holiday. A lot of my friends never pray or go to church yet still think their holiday means more than mine.
@ildikobutyurka (851)
• Romania
14 Dec 06
actually we celebrate many events in december.
first it is the 6th of december, when saint Nicholas comes to good children. then it is my father's birthday, then it is Christmas, then my husband's birhtday, then our engagement day, then new year's eve. and many many other friends and family members have their day in December.
But the most important of all is Christmas day!
@10190190 (36)
• United States
14 Dec 06
I am celebrating my survival, i lost control of my car and totalled it, it riuned both ends, ubt i walked away without a scratch, sore but nothing wrong, [url=http://www.scipym.com/p19955-car_front.html][img]http://www.scipym.com/thumbnail18/carfront.jpg[/img][/url]
@Sheeniepie (873)
• Philippines
14 Dec 06
weve also celebrated my sister's 22nd birthday last dec. 12th.
well of course the fast approaching christmas time, and for me this is one of the most unforgettable season for me because were going to see our father again after almost 15 years of not being together.. so excited to see him so soon.. thanks
merry christmas everyone!!!
@Marie35 (27)
• Philippines
14 Dec 06
Here in the Philippines, we start the Christmas season with the traditional "simbang gabi" or midnight mass. It starts at 4am, with proceeding masses at 5 and 6am respectively. We value this season like we value our religion, which are mostly catholics. And as you said, Christmas time is family time. we make it a point that all the members of the family are together every Christmas. If afar, we burn the phone lines to call everyone we know and greet them special holidays. We also serve a sumptuous feast on Christmas day itself because friends and relatives will be coming over to give gifts and celebrate with us.
@my2babes (88)
• United States
14 Dec 06
We are celebrating both. My husband is Jewish and I am Christian. This weekend is Hanukkah so we will be celebrating with my husbands family and next weekend we will be celebrating Christmas with mine.
The kids love it, they learn both religions, and there is never any fighting over who's family we are going to visit.
It is nice to learn customs I never grew up with and coming from a small town, I was ignorant to the Jewish culture. Both are amazing and I love the family unity both religions bring this time of year.
