Celebrating diversity this season
It’s pretty easy to overlook the fact that not everyone celebrates Christmas
here in Canada – all you have to do is walk into a mall or supercentre
to see the abundance of Christmas decorations to forget how diverse
Canada’s population really is.
Holiday diversity is about more than wishing “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas” – it’s about building an understanding and appreciation of other cultures and traditions. One way to do that is by learning more about other celebrations and holidays during the winter season.
BODHI DAY | DECEMBER 8 | BUDDHISM
Bodhi Day is otherwise known as Day of Enlightenment and was first celebrated in 596 BC. It celebrates the day that Siddhar tha Guatama achieved enlightenment and reached the Four Noble Truths. Those include: Suffering is universal; The cause of suffering is ignorance; Ignorance is a Eightfold Path.
HANUKKAH | DECEMBER 16-24 | JUDAISM
This eight-day long holiday is a celebration of religious freedom. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ victory over the oppressive Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 165 BC. Celebrations include the candle lighting, feasting, playing with the dreidel (four-sided top) and spending time with family.
YULE | DECEMBER 21 | PAGAN
Celebrated by ancient Germanic people and neo-pagans, this holiday has many similarities to Christmas traditions. Yule celebrates the return of the sun, and its traditions include tree decorating, gift exchanges and feasting. A Yule log may be burned to celebrate the birth of the Germanic sun god. Many Wiccans burn a Yule log for 12 hours for good luck.
WINTER SOLSTICE | DECEMBER 21 | NON-SPECIFIC
The Winter Solstice is usually celebrated by atheists but can be celebrated by anyone. The solstice happens on the longest night and shortest day of the year. Spending time with family, feasting and gift exchanges are all part of today’s solstice celebrations. Today, Atheists spend time with friends and family, sharing meals and exchanging gifts.
CHRISTMAS | DECEMBER 25 | CHRISTIANITY
Today, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, however, some Christmas traditions like feasts, gift-giving and caroling started centuries before the popularization of Christianity. Christmas is celebrated by Christians and non- Christians. Another important part of the Christmas celebrations are the singing of carols. The word carol actually means dance, song or joy.
KWANZAA | DECEMBER 26 - January 1 | AFRICAN-AMERICAN
Started in 1966, Kwanzaa is a week-long African-American celebration that focuses on values like family, responsibility and selfimprovement. Candle lighting, giftgiving and a final feast are all part of this holiday. The word kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanzaa,” which means “first fruit.”
FESTIVUS | DECEMBER 23 | non-specific
Festivus started in 1966, by Dan O’Keefe, but wasn’t popularized until 1997 when it was written into the script of an episode of Seinfeld . The holiday is celebrated by people who have strong beliefs in commercialism and religiousness of other traditions. Celebrations include Airing of Grievances, The Feats of Strength and a nondecorated Festivus pole rather than a Christmas tree.
FREEDOM DAY | DECEMBER 30 | scientology
Freedom Day marks the official recognition of the Church of Scientology in the United States. However, some Scientologists do par ticipate in more mainstream activities around Christmas time, like buying gifts and putting up a tree. Scientologists believe that mankind is good and not evil, which is contrary to the Bible’s teaching. They strive to increase the intelligence and ability of humans so that they might achieve total truth and freedom to bring the meaning of life and find their true purpose.
If we have missed any specific holiday celebration, let us know in a letter to the editor: fsuletters@fanshawec.ca.
Holiday diversity is about more than wishing “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas” – it’s about building an understanding and appreciation of other cultures and traditions. One way to do that is by learning more about other celebrations and holidays during the winter season.
BODHI DAY | DECEMBER 8 | BUDDHISM
Bodhi Day is otherwise known as Day of Enlightenment and was first celebrated in 596 BC. It celebrates the day that Siddhar tha Guatama achieved enlightenment and reached the Four Noble Truths. Those include: Suffering is universal; The cause of suffering is ignorance; Ignorance is a Eightfold Path.
HANUKKAH | DECEMBER 16-24 | JUDAISM
This eight-day long holiday is a celebration of religious freedom. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ victory over the oppressive Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 165 BC. Celebrations include the candle lighting, feasting, playing with the dreidel (four-sided top) and spending time with family.
YULE | DECEMBER 21 | PAGAN
Celebrated by ancient Germanic people and neo-pagans, this holiday has many similarities to Christmas traditions. Yule celebrates the return of the sun, and its traditions include tree decorating, gift exchanges and feasting. A Yule log may be burned to celebrate the birth of the Germanic sun god. Many Wiccans burn a Yule log for 12 hours for good luck.
WINTER SOLSTICE | DECEMBER 21 | NON-SPECIFIC
The Winter Solstice is usually celebrated by atheists but can be celebrated by anyone. The solstice happens on the longest night and shortest day of the year. Spending time with family, feasting and gift exchanges are all part of today’s solstice celebrations. Today, Atheists spend time with friends and family, sharing meals and exchanging gifts.
CHRISTMAS | DECEMBER 25 | CHRISTIANITY
Today, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, however, some Christmas traditions like feasts, gift-giving and caroling started centuries before the popularization of Christianity. Christmas is celebrated by Christians and non- Christians. Another important part of the Christmas celebrations are the singing of carols. The word carol actually means dance, song or joy.
KWANZAA | DECEMBER 26 - January 1 | AFRICAN-AMERICAN
Started in 1966, Kwanzaa is a week-long African-American celebration that focuses on values like family, responsibility and selfimprovement. Candle lighting, giftgiving and a final feast are all part of this holiday. The word kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanzaa,” which means “first fruit.”
FESTIVUS | DECEMBER 23 | non-specific
Festivus started in 1966, by Dan O’Keefe, but wasn’t popularized until 1997 when it was written into the script of an episode of Seinfeld . The holiday is celebrated by people who have strong beliefs in commercialism and religiousness of other traditions. Celebrations include Airing of Grievances, The Feats of Strength and a nondecorated Festivus pole rather than a Christmas tree.
FREEDOM DAY | DECEMBER 30 | scientology
Freedom Day marks the official recognition of the Church of Scientology in the United States. However, some Scientologists do par ticipate in more mainstream activities around Christmas time, like buying gifts and putting up a tree. Scientologists believe that mankind is good and not evil, which is contrary to the Bible’s teaching. They strive to increase the intelligence and ability of humans so that they might achieve total truth and freedom to bring the meaning of life and find their true purpose.
If we have missed any specific holiday celebration, let us know in a letter to the editor: fsuletters@fanshawec.ca.
