As the winter season approaches, the excitement of many cultural and religious celebrations fill the air. From Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa, winter is a time for families, friends, and communities to come together and celebrate their holidays.

Christmas, celebrated on December 25th, marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is observed by billions around the world. Starting in the early Christian community, the holiday changed over centuries, incorporating many customs from pre-existing winter celebrations. For students at our school, celebrating Christmas can include participating in activities like decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, baking cookies or making gingerbread houses, and volunteering for local charities to spread kindness during this season.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, usually falls in December. In 2024, it is celebrated from the evening of Wed, Dec 25, 2024 to Thu, Jan 2, 2025. This eight-day Jewish festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. Families celebrate by lighting the menorah, sharing special meals, and playing games like dreidel. Students can join in the fun by learning about Jewish traditions or even trying their hand at making traditional latkes, a delicious potato pancake.

Kwanzaa, a relatively new holiday established in 1966 by activist Maulana Karenga, is celebrated from Thu, Dec 26, 2024 to Wed, Jan 1, 2025. This week-long celebration focuses on African heritage and culture, with each day dedicated to one of seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. To celebrate, students can participate in community gatherings, light the kinara (the candleholder), and engage in family discussions about the meaning of each principle. Crafting gifts and sharing meals inspired by African cuisines can also make the celebration special.

With Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa just around the corner, there’s no better time for students to engage with the traditions that make this season joyful. Celebrating these holidays can create a sense of unity and appreciation for the diversity that exists within our school. As we celebrate our respective holidays, let’s remember the shared values of love, generosity, and community that bind us all together during this winter season.