Happy Holidays Timpview! While many of us know this exciting time of the year as the Christmas season, this year I’ve taken some time to research a few holiday celebrations from cultures other than the Christian ones common here in Provo. As somebody who grew up celebrating Christmas, I never knew much about the other holidays celebrated at this time of year. I figured that most of the Timpview student body had similar experiences or lack thereof, and therefore thought it would be a good idea to try to educate myself and others on some of these holidays. I hope you enjoy learning about these holidays as much as I did, and I hope you learn something new about this special time of year.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a holiday celebrated by those of the Jewish faith. This holiday commemorates a miracle that took place during a battle between a small group of Jews and the Greek-Syrian Army in 165 B.C.E. The success of this battle was in part due to one day’s worth of oil miraculously lasting eight days, providing the people light and comfort as they fought to take back their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting a nine-candle menorah, eight candles representing the eight days of light, and the ninth candle used to light the others. Jews often have these menorahs in their homes and light a candle a day, starting on December 7. Common foods eaten during Hanukkah include latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jam-filled doughnuts), and brisket. On Hanukkah, children often play dreidel, a game using a spinning top to win money and other prizes.
Bodhi Day/Rohatsu
On December 8 Bodhi Day or Rohatsu, is celebrated by those of the Buddist faith. This holiday celebrates the day that the founder of the Buddist religion, Buddha or Siddartha Guatauma achieved full enlightenment or Paranirvana. While observances vary, this holiday is often celebrated through the reading of scriptures (sutras), decorating colorful trees to represent Buddha’s enlightenment, special family meals, acts of service (dana), and meditation.
St. Nicholas Day
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on the 5 or 6 of December by those mostly in parts of Europe such as Belgium, Luxembourg, western Germany, northern France, Romania, Poland, and Hungary. This holiday celebrates the birthday of St. Nicholas, an important Catholic saint and the inspiration behind Santa Claus. St. Nicholas is remembered for his many miracles, including saving three children from a murderous butcher, paying the dowries of three virgins, and his kindness in giving gifts to children. This holiday is celebrated with parades, recreations of St. Nicholas’s miracles, carnivals, and family meals. Children who celebrate St. Nicholas Day leave their shoes or socks by their door and receive treats from St. Nicholas on this day.
Yule
Yule is the Wiccan and Neo-Pagan celebration of the winter solstice. This holiday is celebrated on the 21 of December, the shortest day and longest night of the year. Yule celebrates the re-emergence of the sun, and the beginning of the days getting longer. This holiday originates in Scandinavia and is celebrated with bonfires, lighting the yule log, feasts, gift-giving, and decorating with mistletoe, holly, and the boughs of evergreen trees.
Feast Day of Our Lady Guadalupe
This holiday is celebrated primarily by Mexican and Mexican-American families on the 12 of December. The Feast Day of Our Lady Guadalupe celebrates the birthday of the patron saint of Mexico, Lady Guadalupe. People often take pilgrimages to the Basilica of Our Lady Guadalupe during December to celebrate through carnivals and singing Happy Birthday to their patron saint.
I hope you enjoyed learning about these beautiful holidays and continue to learn more about different cultures during this holiday season!
