As the year comes to an end, we look forward to the joy and connection of the holiday season. This year is extra special: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa all fall in the same week. It’s a unique chance to celebrate the shared values these holidays represent. Let’s explore what makes each holiday special and how each of them uses light to signify hope, faith, perseverance and resilience.
Christmas: A Time of Joy and Giving
Date: December 25, 2024
Christmas is a holiday filled with joy, traditions, and togetherness. For Christians, it marks the birth of Jesus Christ, symbolizing hope and love. Over time, Christmas has also become a cultural celebration that brings people of all backgrounds together.
For many people, Christmas includes exchanging gifts with family and friends, decorating trees, and enjoying festive meals. Holiday lights decorate the outside and inside of homes, reminding us of the season’s warmth and the idea that light triumphs over darkness.
From singing carols to sharing holiday treats (for me anything cranberry!), Christmas is a time to reflect on kindness, generosity, and the connections we share. Whether you celebrate through religious traditions or simply embrace the festive spirit, Christmas is a moment to spread joy and make cherished memories.
Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights
Dates: Sundown December 25, 2024, through sundown January 2, 2025
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating faith, perseverance, and miracles. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after a victory over oppression and the miracle of a single day’s oil lasting for eight days.
This year, Hanukkah begins on December 25 and ends on January 2, 2025. Each night, families light a candle on the menorah, adding one more each day until all eight are glowing. Traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) are enjoyed, symbolizing the miracle of oil.
Hanukkah is also a time for fun and togetherness, with traditions like playing dreidel, exchanging small gifts, and sharing stories of resilience. The holiday reminds us of resilience, faith, and finding light during difficult times—universal lessons that resonate with everyone.
Kwanzaa: Celebrating African Heritage
Dates: December 26, 2024–January 1, 2025
Kwanzaa, created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, is a week-long celebration of African American culture, history, and values. It focuses on seven principles, the Nguzo Saba, which emphasize unity, self-determination, community, support, purpose, creativity, and faith. Each evening, families light a kinara candle to honor one of these values. Kwanzaa is also a time for reflection, music, storytelling, and enjoying traditional dishes. It’s not a religious holiday, so people of all faiths can participate and honor the rich heritage it celebrates.
Whether you celebrate Kwanzaa every year or are just learning about it, this holiday is a wonderful reminder of the importance of culture, family, and working together for a brighter future. Habari Gani! (What’s the news?)
What These Holidays Share
This year, these celebrations overlap, highlighting what they have in common:
- Light: Christmas lights, the menorah, and the kinara all symbolize hope and renewal.
- Togetherness: Family, community, and shared meals are at the heart of all three holidays.
- Giving: Whether it’s Christmas gifts, Kwanzaa’s focus on support, or Hanukkah traditions, generosity is key.
Here are a few ideas to honor all three holidays this year:
- Learn about other traditions. Share stories or attend events that explore different holidays.
- Cook together. Try foods from each holiday, like Christmas cookies, latkes, or a Kwanzaa-inspired dish.
- Focus on shared values. Talk about the themes of light, hope, and community that unite these celebrations.
As we move into the new year, I encourage you to reflect on the challenges and successes you experienced this year. I encourage you to hold tight to the communities you’ve created, and I wish you peace, love, and tranquility in 2025. Happy Holidays!