Holiday Traditions

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS, December 2007, by Sharon Stewart


The Holidays!


When you think of the month of December, what comes to mind? Think, quick! Maaaaybe…snowflakes, hot chocolate, crackling fireplaces, boots, mittens, skiing…well, you get the idea. To me, December is the greatest month of giving to others out of all twelve. Although its cold outside, our hearts are the warmest.

Many of you spend the month of December celebrating various relious and non-religious holidays. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Eid are the most recognized ones. They all include spending quality time with your families, while being kind to others.

CHRISTMAS
Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 25, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Many common traditions include colourful lights, decorated homes with Christmas trees and wreaths, special masses at church, Santa Claus, various special feasts and gift giving. Christians around the world also take advantage of this  time to give back to others less fortunate. Savannah Fraiser of Ajax Ontario writes that she and her friends bake Christmas cookies and sell them door to door. They then donate the money they raise
to their local food bank.

Regardless of what you celebrate, remember to commemorate it with love and kindness. Kindness is the greatest gift that can be bestowed onto someone. So have fun, play in the snow, do kind acts, but just remember that one good deed changes the world one person at a time. Happy Holidays!

HANUKKAH
This Jewish holiday is an eight day celebration, marking the rededication to the Temple. Traditionally represented by the candle Menorah, it starts on December 5th. Families light candles for each of the eight days of the festival. Special blessings and prayers are shared. It used to be that coins were given to children during Hanukkah, however, modern tradition often incorporates gift giving in place of or as well as coins or money. Traditional foods eaten during Hanukkah are latkes (potato pancakes) and yiddish (fruit filled doughnuts). Debbie from Newfoundland writes that she and her friends take groups of neighbourhood kids tobogganing and then back to her house to make winter crafts and drink hot chocolate.

KWANZAA
The African Canadian and Pan-African holiday Kwanzaa is a week long festival honouring the African heritage and celebrating the origin of Africa’s first harvest called Kwanza. It is celebrated from December 26 to the 1st of January. Their seven principles honor culture, family and community. A traditional Kwanzaa celebration is described as a ceremony including drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the “African Pledge” and the Principles of Blackness, reflection on the Pan-African colors, a discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter in African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance, and a Karamu (feast). Katebe K. of Kitchener Ontario and her family enjoy making the unity cup or the Kikombe Cha Umoja as known in Africa. This family unity cup is decorated and designed with fabric and jewels by the children signifying family strength.

EID AL-ADHA
A Muslim festival celebrated worldwide is Eid al-Adha, lasting 3 days beginning this year on the 20th of December. This holiday represents the end of Hajj; the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. Traditionally Muslims would include prayer, and the sacrificing of a goat, sheep or  camel to send to poor people as a donation. Fozia from Victoria BC and her friends love to help their mothers prepare traditional meals that are shared with their families. They also love to get together with friends to have a girls’ henna party. They introduce friends to their lifestyle while making beautiful memories with their artwork.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL CELEBRATIONS
Those who don’t follow specific religions have their own special traditions at this time of year including time with friends and family, special feasts, celebrations and giving back. Jemma from Sault Saint Marie, Ontario writes that her family volunteers for a day at a local food bank. They go skating and drink hot chocolate, then they go home to a huge turkey dinner feast. Afterward their way of exchanging gifts is taking turns telling each other details of the acts of kindness they did on behalf of the family. Some of them were giving blood, shoveling the neighbours driveway, donating money to special charities and volunteering at mentoring someone in need.

~Sharon


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