Which holiday do YOU celebrate?

Which holiday do YOU celebrate?

Christmas is a religious holiday observed by Christians on December 25th (or on January 7th in most Eastern Orthodox Churches). Nativity scenes symbolize the travels of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, their search for shelter, and the Christ child being born in a small stable. Angels tell shepherds of the birth of the savior and the shepherds travel to the stable, bringing a newborn lamb as one of many gifts for the baby Jesus.

Christmas is both a holiday and a holy day. It is one of the biggest events of the year in America (especially for kids) and is an important day on the religious calendar for members of Christian religions.

The non-religious festive celebration of Christmas features Santa Claus, who is known for delivering presents on Christmas Eve to good children or a lump of coal to those who have misbehaved. Santa Claus is also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas or just plain Santa. Elves work hard in Santa's Workshop at the South Pole throughout the year and build toys for good little girls and boys. Santa's reindeer pull his sleigh through the night skies on Christmas Eve to make deliveries all over the world. Cookies are traditionally left for Santa, and carrots for Rudolph and Santa’s other reindeer.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights or Festival of Dedication, is an eight day Jewish holiday that starts in December (or sometimes late November).

In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication." Hanukkah honors a struggle that dates back to 165 B.C., when Jews defeated an invading army and regained the Temple at Jerusalem. According to legend, Jews found a lamp inside the temple with just enough oil to light their holy lamps for one night. Thanks to a miracle, it burned for eight nights. Today, Jews celebrate Hanukkah by lighting candles in a menorah for each of the eight nights.

Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African non-religious holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Celebrated from December 26th thru January 1st, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa.

The holiday lasts seven days and nights, each marked by the lighting of a candle that represents principles of family and community. Kwanzaa builds on the five fundamental activities of Continental African "first fruit" celebrations: ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment and celebration.