History of December Holidays

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around campus, as well as quite a few other different celebrations that each contain their own fascinating historical backgrounds. There are over 30 different holidays spanning denominations from Buddhism to Christian to Atheist that are celebrated all throughout the month of December, and among those are the most popular holidays from Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Pan-African faiths. Here are some brief histories of some of the world’s most celebrated winter holidays.

A traditional Christian nativity scene.
Image Courtesy of the Smithsonian

    One of the most popular holidays celebrated in December is Christmas. For some, Christmas is a time of giving and receiving and being close to family and loved ones; for others, Christmas is a very spiritual holiday where Christians of good faith celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. According to the relevant article found on History.com, Pope Julius I in the fourth century C.E. chose December 25 as the day of Jesus’ birth and began Christmas celebrations on that day in an effort to try to popularize it with Pagans and people of other faiths who practiced other winter holidays such as a Solstice celebration or Yule. By the end of the eighth century, Christmas celebrations had spread throughout Scandinavia, and by the Middle Ages, the Christian faith had nearly replaced Paganism. It wasn’t until the 19th century, however, that Christmas became popular in America and became the family-centered holiday we all know it as today. 

Chanukia come in all shapes and sizes.
Image Courtesy of incrediblethings.com

    Chanukah, meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, is the celebration of the Jewish revolt led by Judah against a Greek-Syrian oppressor trying to force the Jews into worshiping Greek gods. After the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, Judah took over for his father in leading the Jewish people to engage in guerrilla warfare tactics which eventually drove the Syrians out of Jerusalem. Afterwards, Judah called for a cleansing of the second temple, and for a golden candelabrum to be kept burning every night. During that time, they witnessed what they considered a miracle: one day’s worth of oil kept the candles lit for eight nights. It was this event that led sages to proclaim a yearly eight day festival, which is the Chanukah that is celebrated today.

A traditional Kwanzaa candelabra.
Image Courtesy of history.com

    Kwanzaa first emerged in 1966, when it was first created and celebrated by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University. Karenga wished to bring African-Americans together as a community, and thus established this holiday with its roots in African “first fruit” celebrations. Many people celebrate Kwanzaa in different ways, but the overarching celebration of the holiday happens over the course of seven days wherein seven principles are recognized on each day: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. On the 31st, a traditional African feast, or Karamu, is held.

    In the time we live in, it is especially important to respect and to value all traditions.