With the holidays fast approaching, it’s necessary to remember that Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah aren’t all the same holiday, just different religions. They all celebrate the concepts of goodwill, sharing and unity, focusing around a feast with family members, friends, and loved ones, however they all have different traditions and heritage to solemnize.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight days and nights. It commemorates the dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. People celebrate by lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating foods like latkes and sufganiyot. Hanukkah is celebrated by Jewish people around the world. Whether it’s families gathering to light the menorah or communities hosting public celebrations, the holiday offers a meaningful way to honor Jewish identity and tradition.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration from December 26th to January 1st, honoring African heritage and culture. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Each day focuses on one of the seven principles, such as unity and self-determination. People celebrate with feasts, music, dance, and lighting the kinara. The seven principles are: Umoja(unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). Ceremonies may include drumming and musical performance, a reading of the African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness, discussions of African history, or the featured principle of the day, and a feast (karamu). Kwanzaa is represented by the colors of red, black and green, which are incorporated into a special flag.

Christmas

Although popularly associated with a Christmas tree and St. Nick putting presents under it, Christmas has always been about the birth of Jesus Christ who was born by virgin birth to Mary, and her husband, Joseph. For Christians, the story of Jesus’s birth is “the reason for the season” – one that’s also associated with images of the Nativity, and displayed in many homes and public places, to mark the occasion.

No matter what religion you’re apart of or what you celebrate, December is always a great time to get together with your loved ones to celebrate the gift of giving and the happiest of holidays.