Christmas is right around the corner, but that’s not the only holiday that the Highline community is celebrating.
The winter season is one for celebration for many cultures, including the Jewish community’s Haunukka, the Hispanic community’s Las Posadas, the African-American community’s Kwanza, and the Christian community’s Christmas.
Christmas
Several of these holidays have deep origins, often with ties to religion. December 25, or Christmas, is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ that has evolved into a day of giving gifts to friends and family.
However, according to Britanica, Christmas may have evolved from a Roman holiday that celebrates the winter solstice. Either way, Christmas has lost its religious meaning to many people, and has become a holiday of festivities.
Las Posadas
Las Posadas is a nine day celebration that takes place between December 16 and December 24, and has Catholic origins. “Las Posadas” means “The Inns,” and the holiday celebrates the journey Joseph and Mary took to Bethelhem.
Traditional celebrations involve parading around town, reenacting the journey, and seeking refuge, as Joseph and Mary did.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is another religious celebration, which takes place on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, but changes yearly on the Gregorian calendar, usually somewhere in November or December. This year Hanukkah is being celebrated between December 18 and December 26.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in honor of the reclamation of a Jewish temple, where it is said a miracle happened with the candelabra where they burned longer than they should have.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a celebration of Pan-African cultures, and is celebrated between December 26 and January 1. Pan-Africanism refers to any people of African birth or descent, unifying and looking beyond borders, according to Britanica. This celebration is not meant to replace Christmas or any of the other holidays, as Kwanzaa is not religious in origin.
Kwanzaa has seven principles: “Umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith),” according to History.com.
Even if you don’t celebrate any holidays during the winter season, hopefully you can appreciate the history and festive spirit that goes into all of them.