Many people enjoy the holiday season, but where did these traditions begin? Learn how others celebrate and the history behind the holidays!
Christmas: The Birth of Jesus
Let’s start with the holiday that is probably the most well-known—Christmas. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is rooted in Christian traditions that honor the birth of Jesus Christ. But many don’t know that Christmas aligned this date with the Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia. Saturnalia is a week-long party celebrating the winter solstice. Much like Christmas, it is celebrated with feasts and gifts.
It wasn’t until the 4th century that the church formally named December 25 Jesus’ birthday. Over time, traditions influenced by European folklore, like decorating trees, caroling, and exchanging gifts, became part of the holiday. Eventually, Santa Claus, based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity, was brought into the mix and amplified consumerism.
Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, marks a defining moment in Jewish history. Over 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people fought back against the Seleucid Empire, which had banned Jewish practices. After their victory, they reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
During the temple’s rededication, they found just one small flask of consecrated oil—enough to keep the menorah lit for one day. The oil miraculously burned for eight days, just enough time to prepare more. That’s why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights.
Hanukkah traditions—lighting the menorah, spinning dreidels, and enjoying fried foods like latkes and sufganiyot—honor the story of the oil. At its core, Hanukkah is about resilience, hope, and faith’s triumph over oppression. You might be surprised to learn that Hanukkah isn’t one of Judaism’s major holidays! (Shabbat, Rosh Hashana, and Yom Kippur are just a few that are.) But Hanukkah does hold significant cultural meaning, especially today, as a celebration of Jewish identity.
Kwanzaa: African Heritage
Kwanzaa is the newest holiday of the three, created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African American scholar and activist. Following the Civil Rights Movement, Karenga established Kwanzaa to celebrate African heritage and reinforce community values among Black Americans.
Kwanzaa spans seven days, from December 26 to January 1, each day centered on one of the seven principles of Nguzo Saba. These include unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), and cooperative economics (ujamaa). Families light a candle on the kinara each evening to reflect on these values.
Kwanzaa isn’t a religious holiday; it’s a cultural celebration. Families come together to share meals, tell stories, and honor their heritage. Over time, Kwanzaa has grown beyond the United States and is celebrated worldwide as a testament to cultural pride and connection.
What Holidays Teach Us
Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa come from different cultures and faiths, but they all share powerful themes: light, community, and hope. These holidays invite us to reflect, connect, and celebrate the traditions that shape us.
In a divided world, they remind us to come together, learn from each other, and embrace the spirit of the season. So whether you’re hanging lights, spinning a dreidel, or lighting a kinara, take a moment to honor the rich history behind your traditions.
Happy holidays, however, you celebrate!
