Christmas is celebrated in winter because of the seasonal festivities that took place
during Pagan times. Christians thought it would be easier to convert
and assimilate Pagans if they maintained their holiday calendar. Essentially, it worked.
So, between Pagan times and this century, Christmas has been, by far, the most celebrated
winter holiday in North America and many other parts of the world.
In the past several decades, with an ever growing cultural mix in the USA, others have
been receiving more and more attention.
Hanukkah (Chanukah)
The first few Jews immigrated to the US in 1654, followed by a larger wave in 1882. The
next wave, of course, came during and right after the
Holocaust. As the Jewish population grew substantially during this century, Hanukkah,
the Jewish Festival of Lights became more prominent, in part because of its proximity to
Christmas. Also a gift giving holiday that takes place in December, Hanukkah commemorates
the rededication of the Holy Temple, won back from the Greeks in 164 BCE.
Families celebrating this holiday have a menorah, which consists of a candlestick that
holds 9 candles. Each night, one candle is lit and gifts are exchanged. To read more about
this holiday, see: Chanukah
from our about.com guide to Judaism.
Kwanzaa
In recent years, African
Americans have been celebrating their December holiday, Kwanzaa, more zealously.
Established in 1966 by an African American teacher named Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa
takes place from December 26th through January 1st, and is a holiday that celebrates the
history and culture of African Americans. Each day has a theme: unity/working together,
self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, pupose,
creativity, and faith in self and ancestry. They also light candles, on
a kinara, which is a candlestick holder with 7 candles in it. To read more about Kwanzaa,
see: Holiday
Countdown: Kwanzaa from our about.com guide to Quotations.
Ramadan
Winter also plays host to Ramadan, the holiday celebrated by over one billion Muslims
throughout the world who take one month to self reflect, assert their devotions with
intense worship, and exercise self control through fasting. The first day of Ramadan is
generally in early December, but the precise date depends on the sighting of the crescent
moon, which signifies the beginning of the "Islamic month." During the
holy month, Muslims fast through the day and break the fast with "iftar" each
evening. To read more about this holiday, see Ramadan from
our about.com guide to Islam.
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