The Many Holidays Around TMS

Let’s be honest, the world doesn’t revolve around Christmas. There’s so many holidays around the world, at our schools, and in our own homes! Let’s learn about 3 holidays around TMS. 

• Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is  not, in fact, a religious holiday. It originates from African American people, and is mainly focused around seven principles: unity, self-determination , collective work and responsibility , cooperative economics , purpose, creativity, and faith. There are also seven symbols to go with the seven principles.One symbol, the Kwanza candelabra, has seven colored candles on it that show the seven principles. The colors are red, green, and black, signifying Africa. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to the 1st of January.

• Hanukkah

Hanukkah is celebrated by Jewish people for 8 days. Although there are many other aspects to it, the most important part of Hanukkah is the lighting of the Hanukkiyah, which is a kind of menorah. The Hanukkiyah is a 9-branched candelabra.The middle candle is used to light the other 8. Each night a candle is lit until all candles are lit on the last night. Hanukkah became a tradition when a single jar of oil burned for 8 days instead of 1. Non-religously,  Hanukkah is also a time for feasts, games, festivals, and gifts. Hanukkah is usually celebrated in late November- early December. This year, (2025) Hanukkah will be celebrated from sundown on the 14th of December- to the 22nd.

• Las Posadas

Las Posadas is celebrated in Mexico and certain parts of the U.S.A. This religious festival memorializes the trip Joseph and Mary made to find a safe place for Mary to give birth to Jesus. Every night during the festival, a child dressed as an angel leads a procession through the streets. These processions often feature children in robes carrying candles, or holding pictures of Mary and Joseph on a donkey. Passages of Scripture and Christmas carols are often sung or read aloud when the procession pauses. This holiday lasts from December 16-24. 

Look, these three holidays aren’t even close to the amount of holidays celebrated in December worldwide. In Islam there’s Ashura and Fatemiyeh, Boxing day in Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, and of course there’s New Years and New Years Eve. Even though all these aren’t included in this article, it doesn’t hurt to ask “ what holiday do you celebrate in December?”, even if the answer may always be Christmas.

Websites used:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kwanzaa

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hanukkah/Traditions

https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/hanukkah/history-hanukkah-story

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Las-Posadas

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Boxing-Day/489408