December Holidays Around the World Holidays celebrated longer

December Holidays Around the World Holidays celebrated longer than one day

Advent • Advent is a Christian holiday that begins 4 weeks before Christmas on November 30 or the nearest Sunday to it. • Advent is considered the New Year’s Day for the church year. • Colors associated with Advent are purple, royal blue, white, and pink. • Advent wreaths are used as decoration.

Traditions

Hanukkah • Hanukkah is a celebrated by Jewish people in honor God saving the Jews from their enemies, the Syrian. Greeks in 165 B. C. • The word Hanukkah comes from a Hebrew word that means “and they rested. ” • Hanukkah lasts for eight days.

Traditions

Ramadan • Ramadan is a Muslim holiday that takes places during the 9 th month of the Muslim calendar at the beginning of a full moon. • It is a time for worship and contemplation. • Muslims fast during daylight hours during the month of Ramadan. • At the end of the month, there is a 3 -day feast called Eid-al. Fitr.

Traditions

Las Posadas • Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration from December 16 -24 th that takes place in Mexico. • “Posada” means lodging or shelter. • It is a religious and cultural celebration that acts out Mary & Joseph’s search for shelter.

Traditions

Kwanzaa • Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration that began in 1966. • It begins on December 26 th and last for seven days. • During this time seven principles are honored. • Red, black, and green are the official colors of Kwanzaa.

Traditions

Sources • Let’s Celebrate Christmas by Peter & Connie Roop • http: //www. acadiawreath. com/t-adventtraditions. aspx • http: //www. msichicago. org/scrapbook/s crapbook_exhibits/catw 2004/traditions/ countries/ramadan. html • http: //www. archaeolink. com/kwanzaa_tr aditions. htm • http: //www. mexconnect. com/mex_/chri