Holidays of All Shapes and Sizes

Bitter coldness is nipping at the windows as you cuddle up under a blanket. It’s the Christmas holiday season again.

My big brother and I make our way to my aunt’s house for our Christmas Eve event at which we open presents and eat cookies. Christmas Day is filled with preheating ovens and warm hugs from family. Every year, I wonder how Christmas is celebrated on the other side of the world.

From Sweden to Spain, each country has customs unique to its people. In Australia, December 25 falls in the middle of summer break. The most popular tradition in ‘the outback’ is called the “Carols by Candlelight”. Folks come together to sing classics outside while holding dancing flames under the moonlight.

In Holland, Dutch children await the arrival of Sinterklaas on Dec. 6, similar to our nation’s version of Santa Claus. Sinterklaas delivers delectable foods, hot chocolate and a letterbanket, or a cake made in the shape of the first letter of each family’s last name.

In Mexico, families use brown paper bags to make lanterns, or “farolitos”. The streets are filled with houses that don lilies, evergreens and farolitos, which shine the spirit of Christmas when hit by the light of the night sky.

Even in our own nation, we have so many different religions that appreciate this season in so many diverse ways. America is known as a ‘melting pot’, which brings a variety of interesting traditions. With different ethnic groups comes different holidays.

There are a number of African people who have moved to our nation, bringing with them the holiday of Kwaanza. The holiday, which means “first fruit” in Swahili, symbolizes seven traits Africans pride themselves in: unity, self-determination, teamwork, sharing, purpose, creativity and faith. Candles are lit every night from December 26 to January 1 and placed on a seven-branched candelabrum.

Hanukkah, or Fest of Lights, is very important to the Jewish population of our country. In approximately 164 B.C, the Maccabees, a small group of Jews fighting for religious freedom, conquered the Syrians. Upon returning to the Temple, they found only one jar of oil to light the eternal light. In spite of the shortage of oil, the eternal light stayed lit for eight days. A special eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah is lit over this period to celebrate the eight day miracle.

It is so awe-inspiring to witness the affect holidays have on people. Not only do families come together, but most people help total strangers in efforts to make their holiday season memorable.

There is something about this time of year that gets my heart racing and my emotions running high. People unite in a way that is unforgettable. Worlds collide when strangers hold hands to celebrate the holidays that are so dear to them.

As a follower of Christ, Christmas is not just holiday. It is something I treasure not just because it is a special time shared with my loved ones. Christmas is a chance to lift up the birth of the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that you and your family have a blessed holiday season, no matter what you are celebrating.

Enjoy your holiday vacation. Thank you for reading. God bless.