Transcript Tis the Season

Tis the Season
Katherine Delesalle
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY
Yule
• A winter festival that celebrates the winter
solstice (December 21st)
• Initially celebrated by the historical Germanic
people as a pagan religious festival
• Began the tradition of burning a Yule log in
the hearth during the holiday season
• People would go Wassailing
• Walk from house to house singing songs, similar to the
Christmas caroling performed today
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule
Hanukkah
• Also known as the Festival of Lights is an eightday Jewish holiday
• Commemorates the rededication of the Holy
Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the
time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century
BCE.
• Observed by lighting the candles of a unique
candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah
– One additional light on each night of the holiday,
progressing to eight on the final night.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah
Christmas
• Observed on December 25 to commemorate the birth
of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity
• Popular modern customs of the holiday include giftgiving, music, an exchange of Christmas cards, church
celebrations, and a special meal
• People often display various decorations; including
Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity
scenes, and holly.
• Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus,
among other names, are associated with bringing gifts
to children during the Christmas season.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
Kwanzaa
• A week long celebration held in the United States
honoring universal African-American heritage
and culture
• Observed from December 26 to January 1 each
year.
• It features activities such as lighting a candle
holder with seven candles, and culminates in a
feast and gift giving.
• It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first
celebrated in 1966–1967.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa
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