For many of us, the holidays are a time to spend with family and friends and be reminded of how grateful we are for all that we have. But where does the concept of holiday celebrations come from? Why do people celebrate on different days around the world? And what about colors, symbols and traditions? In this post, let’s take a look at some of the most popular winter holidays from around the world and learn more about their meanings. Christmas
Christmas is celebrated on 25 December and is the biggest religious holiday in many countries around the world. In the United States, Christmas is a federal holiday and it typically involves lots of presents, family gatherings, food and other festivities. People celebrate Christmas in different ways around the world: in Germany for example, St. Nicholas brings presents to children who are good. Other countries have their own customs such as gift giving, tree decorating, special treats and dancing or singing carols.
The autumn and winter seasons is a time of anticipation and planning for those who observe holidays during this time of the year. From religious events to cultural celebrations there are numerous holidays to be aware of. Here are eight different holiday dates to add to your schedule this season.
Eid-al-Adha
The “Feast of Sacrifice” occurs every fall, the exact date differs based on lunar calendar. The Islamic celebration is celebrated all over the world and celebrates the willingness of Abraham, the prophet Abraham to give up his only son. Families typically dress in fine attire and pray at a mosque, or a in a large crowd. They sacrifice their most domestic animals in halal, to honor Abraham’s sacrifice. Then the group shares most of the meat so everyone can participate of the feast.
Diwali
“Festival of Lights “Festival of Lights” is a five-day event which falls either in December or November each year. It is a celebration of the attainment of nirvana through Mahavira who is an Indian spiritual leader and the anniversary of the death of Swami Dayanand Swami Dayananda, who was a Hindu revered religious figure. The holiday is observed throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and other Asian nations, the celebration is marked by burning small lamps made of clay to symbolise the triumph of goodness over evil. The people who celebrate the holiday wear new clothing that explode with fireworks and share sweets with family and friends.
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Krampusnacht & St. Nicholas Day
December 5 is the day that marks the age-old tradition of Krampusnacht which is a Germanic tradition that is celebrated across nations like Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and of obviously, Germany. The mythical alternative for St. Nicholas, who is celebrated on the following day, and is a reward for good children, Krampus is said to penalize children for being rude. The character of Krampus is derived in the form of the father Hel of Norse mythology. He wears fangs, horns and whips. The kind St. Nicholas will be honored on the 6th of December for his fervent faith, the with a focus on giving more than receiving and a concern for the less fortunate. Many celebrate the day to provide the spiritual aspect of the giving of gifts and also to anticipate the Christmas season that is coming shortly after.
Bodhi Day
The 8th of December is The Buddhist Day of Enlightenment, celebrating the date in 596 BC in which the Buddha was named Shakyamuni or Siddhartha Gautama had a moment of enlightenment while under the Bodhi tree. Buddha was a teacher. Buddha was a teacher to his students to blend into their surroundings and not attract excessive interest or become a show of their own. The lesson on the ability to adapt and be humble is one that both Buddhists as well as non-Buddhists can appreciate and take away.
Las Posadas
It is celebrated from December 16-24. This nine-day festival has its origins to Spanish Catholicism, though several Christian branches also observe the holiday in Guatemala, Mexico, and the Southwestern United States. Families get excited for Christmas by navigating from house to home in a procession that includes candles in a paper lamp shade that is signed by each home. The procession is completed in a church or at home where families eat as they sing carols and even break pinatas.
Hanukkah
A 8-day Jewish celebration, Hanukkah falls on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. The holiday commemorates the Jews winning over a tyrannical king in addition to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt. Families mark the festival through lighting the menorah, and praying for eight nights in honor of the miraculous oil that lasts for eight days and illuminated the eternal flame in Jerusalem’s Temple. Jerusalem Temple.
Christmas
The 25th of December is celebrated worldwide The 25th of December is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. “Christmas” originates in “Christ’s Christmas Mass” and is centered around Christmas as the main event of the Christian calendar of liturgical events. It’s also a public celebration in many countries and festivities include families decorated their houses with greenery and lights and singing carols, eating delicious food, and giving gifts.
Kwanzaa
Inspired through Maulana Karenga in 1966 the holiday is celebrated for a week from between December 26 and January 1. Communities across the US, Canada, and the African diaspora celebrate African cultural heritage of the African-American culture by decorating their homes with vibrant art and clothing while reading and reflecting upon the African Pledge and having a the lighting of candles. Communities are able to celebrate seven concepts during this time of year that include self-determination, unity the collective effort and accountability co-operative economics, innovation as well as purpose and faith. The week concludes with an evening of feasting and exchange of gifts.
There are numerous holidays which occur during this time in addition to throughout the year. Honoring the diversity of cultures and celebrating customs can make the holidays more enjoyable.
What is a Seasonal Holiday?
A seasonal holiday is a day that commemorates something, such as a religious event. This blog explains the meaning of holidays like Easter and Christmas. What is a Special Day and Why Are They Important?. This blog explains what special days are and why they are important to our history, culture, and personal lives. Explain Easter.com – Explaining Religion, Holidays and Beliefs When is Easter? Easter 2019 date, time and 2018 calendar in UK, US, Canada, Australia, Worldwide including date for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The date of Easter can vary from year to year. This is because it always falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after March 21 and before April 25.
How are holidays celebrated around the world? What were some of the old traditions in the past? What is Easter and what do I need to know about it? Heres everything you need to know!Easter celebrates Jesus death and resurrection. There are 8 special days that are celebrated by different religions around the world, as well as by countries. These days are called “holy days” or “sacred occasions”. They usually involve religious ceremonies and celebrations.Easter varies each year because it marks the first Sunday after the first full moon following the equinox. According to the Christian belief, Jesus Christ was crucified on Good Friday and rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.
Hebrews began to celebrate Passover in commemoration of Gods deliverance of Jews from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh.Easter is the day Christians celebrate Jesus resurrection from the dead. It occurs during Holy Week, which starts with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter (the day before Good Friday). Note that Eastern Orthodox church celebrates Easter on a different date than Roman Catholic Church –
The Celebration of Christmas (December 25th)
Christmas is the name for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a Christian holiday that is celebrated throughout the world. Christians celebrate it in different ways but most often, church services are attended and presents are exchanged and opened. The Celebration of Easter (March or April). Easter is the name for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. It is a Christian holiday that can be celebrated throughout the world, but it is most often celebrated in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Through celebrating Easter, Christians remember Jesus’ death and resurrection. Christmas and Easter are two of the most important holidays for Christians. They celebrate these holidays in different ways, but they both have the same purpose: to remember Jesus and his life on Earth. Globalization has affected many aspects of our lives, including language. One example of this is English, which is now a global language. Our world is becoming smaller every year because of globalization. Technology has also played a role in globalization by opening new doors that make it easier for us to see what others are doing and how they are living. Technology is also playing a role in religious practices. Today, more and more people go online to find information about different religions. Many websites offer both Christian and Islamic beliefs. Sites such as www.islamicity.com/religion/christianity/index.html provide many basic facts about Christianity and Islam for anyone who wants to learn more about them. The first time I saw the word globalization, I was very confused because it seemed like a difficult word to pronounce. But after I researched it, the definition seemed pretty simple. Globalization is the way in which we are connected to each other. It is the way we exchange ideas and share traditions with people all over the world. It also includes economic, political and social ties; it is a huge network that has continued to grow over time.
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New Year’s Day (January 1st)
New Year’s Day is the first day of the New Year. It’s is a holiday for celebration and for new beginnings. Special customs include singing, kissing, and wearing old clothes to symbolize a break from the past. Christmas Day (December 25th). Christmas Day is the climax of the holiday season, a Christian religious celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many Christians attend church services on Christmas morning, followed by Christmas dinner with their families. Government offices, schools and most businesses are closed as well.
Boxing Day (December 26th). Boxing day is a holiday celebrated in some Commonwealth nations such as Australia and New Zealand. It’s held on December 26th before or after Christmas Day, depending on the holiday’s actual date. Boxing Day is named after the “boxes” decorated with ribbons and delivered by Christmas carolers to their neighbors.
Other Seasonal Holidays Around the World
There are many other seasonal holidays around the world, but they’re not as well known in North America. The most popular one is Halloween, followed by Christmas. Other celebrated days include Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Thanksgiving Theme Ideas. With so many Thanksgiving themes, you’re bound to find a few that fit your party’s theme or personality. Have a cute Turkey on the invitation. Make Turkey Place Cards for each guest. Use food items as decor around the house.
Thanksgiving Food Ideas – Never Ending List! No matter what you decide to do, be sure to make this holiday one of the all-time greatest events of the year! Thanksgiving is a time when friends and family get together to celebrate good fortune, which is why it is the perfect time for a Thanksgiving party. Thanksgiving parties are great because you can mix and match themes with food and decorations. Themed Decorations . Decorating for a Thanksgiving party doesn’t have to be as challenging as some other themed soirees. With Thanksgiving, you can use traditional fall colors like orange and brown, or even incorporate blues and greens to make your event more unique.
How to Celebrate Each Seasonal Holiday Correctly
The winter holidays are all about love, but the celebration changes depending on what country you live in. In Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, people celebrate Christmas with a mixture of love and family traditions. A German Christmas is filled with religious rituals about good and evil, while a French Christmas celebrates the equality of classes. Meanwhile in South American countries like Argentina and Brazil, Christmas celebrations take place on December 8th, which is called “Noche Buena.”
Conclusion
I hope that this has provided you with a better understanding of the different holidays and how they may affect your mood. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.
