castleinthesky wrote:Kwanzaa- Whatever that is, it must be made up.
LOL! That statement makes me wish that I actually knew what it was too.
I try to celebrate Christmas. And when I have the time, I put some decorations up and listen to some Johnny Mathis Christmas songs. But... it's hard sometimes. With every damn thing you have to do over the season. But really, I just do the Card thing, buy presents for others, then on the day, I work if ever possible.
Dottie wrote:Christmas for my family too.
When's Hanukka? Does anyone know? Does it change like Easter does?
Chanukah, which is one of the 2 ways it is spelled is different on our calander every year, the reason it is is based off of the Jewish Calander which is different than ours. This year I believe it is around the same time as Christmas, last year I think it started end of November
The Hebrew word Chanukah means "dedication." In the 2nd century BCE, the Syrian-Greek regime of Antiochus sought to pull Jews away from Judaism, with the hopes of assimilating them into Hellenism -- Greek culture. Antiochus outlawed aspects of Jewish observance -- including the study of Torah -- which began to decay the foundation of Jewish life and practice. During this period, many of the Jews began to assimilate into Greek culture, taking on Greek names and marrying non-Jews.
In response, a band of courageous Jews took to the hills of Judea in open revolt against this threat to Jewish life. Led by Matitiyahu, and later his son Judah the Maccabee ("The Hammer"), this small band of pious Jews led guerrilla warfare against the Syrian army.
Antiochus sent thousands of well-armed troops to crush the rebellion -- but the Maccabees succeeded in driving the foreigners from their land.
Jewish fighters entered Jerusalem in December, 164 BCE. The Holy Temple was in shambles, defiled and desecrated by foreign soldiers. They cleansed the Temple and re-dedicated it on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. When it came time to re-light the Menorah, they searched the entire Temple, but only one small jar of oil bearing the pure seal of the High Priest could be found. Miraculously, the small jar of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply of oil could be brought.
From then on, Jews have observed a holiday for eight days in honor of this historic victory and the miracle of the oil.
Today, the observance of Chanukah features the lighting of a special Chanukah menorah with eight branches (plus a helper candle), adding one new candle each night. Other customs include spinning the dreidel (a top with Hebrew letters on the sides), eating "oily" foods like potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and giving Chanukah gelt (coins) to children.
DEFINITION OF KWANZAA Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than18 million people worldwide, as reported by the New York Times. When establishing Kwanzaa in 1966, Dr. Karenga included an additional "a" to the end of the spelling to reflect the difference between the African American celebration (kwanzaa) and the Motherland spelling (kwanza).
We celebrate Christmas, but the gift exchange party I have with my friends is called Festivus. We all celebrate Christmas, but since it happens on the weekend BEFORE Christmas, we decided to give it a different name.
Key wrote:I celebrate Christmas. But as more of a "celebrating a festive holiday" than as Jesus' birthday.
I think that summarises me best, as I'm personally not Mr Religious. But, to keep it linked to Christianity, I try and see it as more a celebration of peace and kindness and the benefits of applying these two virtues than an excuse to be greedy, which some people (be they Christian or not) seem to use it as.
Dottie wrote:When's Hanukka? Does anyone know? Does it change like Easter does?
Yes, it changes according to the Jewish calendar. To the normal person this is perhaps the most random thing you can come across. Most people here don't even follow that calendar, only the strictly religious folks.
"See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve." - The Joker
Yule/Winter Solstice is celebrated on December 21st. It is one of the most ancient December holidays and is celebrated by pagans. Christmas tree, yule log, mistletoe, holly, gift giving, decorating with red/green, the idea of rebirth...all have their roots in Yule. We have a Yule Tree, which is a decorated tree, just as Christians have. We often decorate it with more natural and natural-look ornaments.
Red and green were originally used for red signified blood. The blood of the sacrficial pig. Which we no longer sacrfice pigs, but we do eat ham...another long holiday season tratition. And green, for the rebirth of the green fields and farms after winter.
Yule is the day that the Goddess gives birth to the God.
Interesting - "Yule" (although spelt differently, "jul") is what Christmas is called in Norwegian/Swedish/Danish. It's definitely considered a Christian holiday and the same as Christmas in English, but I think we're also well aware that a lot of our holiday traditions go back to pre-Christian times.
Lars Vermundsberget wrote:That's interesting. I've seen that word before, but could you (someone) explain how/why it is used in English?
Siren has given you the correct terminology, but it is also used quite a bit (and incorrectly, from what Siren wrote at least) as another way of saying Christmas.
