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the history of all christmas time holidays
12 years ago
bros before hoes:
so...I just thought I should okay...?
You may have a menorah or a giant Christmas tree in your house, but do you know why? December brings important holiday traditions for many families—and each holiday has a story.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish holiday, is a time for families to celebrate, eat, and give gifts.
Hanukkah's origins date back to ancient times. Syrian-Greek ruler Antiochus IV tried to force his culture on the people in his territory, which included the country now called Israel. In 168 BC, the king outlawed Judaism and transformed the temple in Jerusalem into a place to worship the Greek God Zeus. To combat these changes, the Jews fought for three years under the leadership of Judah the Maccabee and finally retook their temple. As they prepared to rededicate the temple to God, they could only find enough oil to burn for one day, hardly enough to fill the temple's candelabrum. According to tradition, though, the oil burned for eight days.
Families celebrate these eight days by lighting a candelabrum called a menorah. The menorah has nine candles—the ninth is used to light the other eight. Families gather to light the candles each night. They also eat foods cooked in oil to celebrate the miracle of the oil, and parents often give their children gifts or money.
Christmas
Christians in many countries celebrate Christmas, a day which marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Experts believe that Roman Catholics—one group of Christians—may have celebrated the holiday as early as 336 AD. At that time, though, many people were Pagans, members of an ancient religion whose winter holiday was a celebration of the shortest day of the year. The Roman Catholics had two goals: they wanted to mark the birth of Jesus, and they wanted to convert the Pagans to Christianity. Since no one really knew the exact date of Jesus' birth, the Catholic Church designated December 25. That way, the Pagans would already be celebrating during this time of the year, and the church would be able to get them involved in Christianity more easily.
Since the religion spread quickly through Europe, Europeans are responsible for the oldest holiday traditions. Immigrants from Europe brought certain ideas to America, where the ideas were gradually transformed. In Holland, Santa Claus, or Sinter Klass, wasn't the jolly, fat man that we know and love today. He was a tall, thin, religious figure who rode through the air on a white horse—so much for reindeer. During the 19th century, the U.S. Santa evolved into a plump, overgrown elf.
Kwanzaa
Although based on ancient traditions, Kwanzaa is a fairly new holiday. Founded by scholar Maulana Karenga, it is an African-American celebration that lasts from December 26 through January 1. Unlike other December holidays, Kwanzaa is based on culture rather than religion. It's designed so that African Americans of all faiths can celebrate together.
Karenga established the holiday in 1966, during a period when the U.S. was undergoing a great deal of social change. African Americans were empowering themselves by learning more about their African roots. Karenga took the name Kwanzaa from ancient African harvest celebrations, and he developed its principles from the traditional ideals of African societies.
During Kwanzaa, families gather to remember community, respect, responsibility, and caring for the weak. Why? These are all African ideals.
Families sometimes exchange gifts, but these are usually homemade. This encourages creativity and discourages commercialism.
Eid Ul-Fitr
Muslims celebrate Eid Ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on the phases of the moon. This means that the ninth month does not always come at the same time. Therefore, Ramadan and Eid may be celebrated during the summer one year and during the fall the next year.
The word Eid means a joyous, recurring event. It's fitting that the day marks the end of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time of fasting that encourages self-control and faith in God, and Muslims cannot eat or drink from dawn until dusk. By contrast, fasting is forbidden on Eid. Every Muslim rises early to eat a light snack.
Muslims attend mosques during Eid and recite special prayers of the day. In their prayers, Muslims ask for forgiveness and mercy for all Muslims around the world.
Eid is a happy day when children often receive gifts or money, and families and neighbors often resolve disputes.
You may have a menorah or a giant Christmas tree in your house, but do you know why? December brings important holiday traditions for many families—and each holiday has a story.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish holiday, is a time for families to celebrate, eat, and give gifts.
Hanukkah's origins date back to ancient times. Syrian-Greek ruler Antiochus IV tried to force his culture on the people in his territory, which included the country now called Israel. In 168 BC, the king outlawed Judaism and transformed the temple in Jerusalem into a place to worship the Greek God Zeus. To combat these changes, the Jews fought for three years under the leadership of Judah the Maccabee and finally retook their temple. As they prepared to rededicate the temple to God, they could only find enough oil to burn for one day, hardly enough to fill the temple's candelabrum. According to tradition, though, the oil burned for eight days.
Families celebrate these eight days by lighting a candelabrum called a menorah. The menorah has nine candles—the ninth is used to light the other eight. Families gather to light the candles each night. They also eat foods cooked in oil to celebrate the miracle of the oil, and parents often give their children gifts or money.
Christmas
Christians in many countries celebrate Christmas, a day which marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Experts believe that Roman Catholics—one group of Christians—may have celebrated the holiday as early as 336 AD. At that time, though, many people were Pagans, members of an ancient religion whose winter holiday was a celebration of the shortest day of the year. The Roman Catholics had two goals: they wanted to mark the birth of Jesus, and they wanted to convert the Pagans to Christianity. Since no one really knew the exact date of Jesus' birth, the Catholic Church designated December 25. That way, the Pagans would already be celebrating during this time of the year, and the church would be able to get them involved in Christianity more easily.
Since the religion spread quickly through Europe, Europeans are responsible for the oldest holiday traditions. Immigrants from Europe brought certain ideas to America, where the ideas were gradually transformed. In Holland, Santa Claus, or Sinter Klass, wasn't the jolly, fat man that we know and love today. He was a tall, thin, religious figure who rode through the air on a white horse—so much for reindeer. During the 19th century, the U.S. Santa evolved into a plump, overgrown elf.
Kwanzaa
Although based on ancient traditions, Kwanzaa is a fairly new holiday. Founded by scholar Maulana Karenga, it is an African-American celebration that lasts from December 26 through January 1. Unlike other December holidays, Kwanzaa is based on culture rather than religion. It's designed so that African Americans of all faiths can celebrate together.
Karenga established the holiday in 1966, during a period when the U.S. was undergoing a great deal of social change. African Americans were empowering themselves by learning more about their African roots. Karenga took the name Kwanzaa from ancient African harvest celebrations, and he developed its principles from the traditional ideals of African societies.
During Kwanzaa, families gather to remember community, respect, responsibility, and caring for the weak. Why? These are all African ideals.
Families sometimes exchange gifts, but these are usually homemade. This encourages creativity and discourages commercialism.
Eid Ul-Fitr
Muslims celebrate Eid Ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on the phases of the moon. This means that the ninth month does not always come at the same time. Therefore, Ramadan and Eid may be celebrated during the summer one year and during the fall the next year.
The word Eid means a joyous, recurring event. It's fitting that the day marks the end of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time of fasting that encourages self-control and faith in God, and Muslims cannot eat or drink from dawn until dusk. By contrast, fasting is forbidden on Eid. Every Muslim rises early to eat a light snack.
Muslims attend mosques during Eid and recite special prayers of the day. In their prayers, Muslims ask for forgiveness and mercy for all Muslims around the world.
Eid is a happy day when children often receive gifts or money, and families and neighbors often resolve disputes.
JayWolfe2007
~jaywolfe2007
Isn't history an eye opener?
husky-puppy
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