Did You Know?

Did You Know?

By Dani Messick House and Home Writer Christmas isn’t your only option when it comes to holidays this season. Religious or otherwise, there’s a lot to celebrate worldwide through the entire month of December. ST. LUCIA’S DAY

In the Northern-most part of Europe, another Christian saint is celebrated on Dec. 13, for her martyrdom in 304. Lucia of Syracuse, according to the legend, brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs, wearing a candle-lit wreath on her head to light her way in order to leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible. She is honored, mostly in Scandinavia and Italy, with a processional through towns, featuring a girl representing Lucia at the head. The processional features candles or lanterns, and ginger cookies or saffron buns, depending on the country.

LAS POSADAS

Honoring the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the Hispanic festival known as Las Posadas, or “The Inns”, features a small child as an angel leading a processional of children, traveling from hometo-home, seeking lodging for Jesus’ parents. Each night ends with Christmas carols, children breaking open starshaped piñatas, and a feast. It is celebrated Dec. 16 - Dec. 24. In some communities, a Midnight Mass also follows.

BOXING DAY

Christmas in the U.K. is not for gift-giving. That day for the British and many other European countries is Boxing Day, Dec. 26. Historically, the working class would get the day off and receive a box or monetary gift. Modern Boxing Day traditions also include sporting events and shopping. Boxing Day vendor sales have been compared to American Black Friday sales. In some countries, Boxing Day is also celebrated alongside Saint Stephen’s Day, honoring the first Christian martyr and marking the second day of Christmastide (Dec. 25 - Jan. 5.) The religious commemoration includes carol singing, gift giving, Nativity plays, Mass, and eating special food, such as Christmas cake.

KWANZAA

A pan-African holiday, Kwanzaa focuses on the “Seven Principles,” or Nguzo Saba in Swahili, seeking a continued commitment to cultural values. It’s a newer holiday, created in 1966 by Black nationalist and professor of Africana studies Maulana Karenga, and is based on several harvest festival traditions from West and Southeast Africa During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said it was meant to be a black alternative to Christmas. The seven principles are Umoja or unity, Kujichagulia or self-determination, Ujima or collective work and responsibility, Ujamaa or cooperative economics, Nia or purpose, Kuumba or creativity, and Imani or faith. It’s celebrated Dec. 26 - Jan. 1.

HANUKKAH

Changing yearly, the Jewish holiday Hanukkah is also known as the ‘Festival of Lights,’ for its nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. It’s actually a lesser Jewish festival historically but due to its closeness to Christmas has become well-popularized. It takes place on the 25th day of Kislev, or Dec. 18-26 this year, although it changes yearly but is always in December. Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Temple in 165 BC by the Maccabees after its dese... and now you know!cration by the Syrians. The hallmark of the celebration is the reenactment of the kindling of the eight lights or candles on the menorah.

OMISOKA

The Japanese New Year, like the Western one, is celebrated on Dec. 31. Omisoka is considered one of the most important holidays in Japanese culture, second only to Jan. 1, known as Shogatsu, New Year’s Day. Parties on Omisoka are intended to help remove goers from the previous year and include writing cards to friends and family, and sending gifts. Other activities include house cleaning, repaying debts, purification and various traditional foods to bring them into the new year such as Toshikoshi soba. n