Christmas

and other celebrations, from Yahoo.com

Christmas is one of the most popular Christian holidays. Celebrated December 25, it honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, revered by Christians as the son of God. The traditions of Christmas date back to long before the birth of Jesus and combine such holidays such as Yule, Saturnalia, and Juvenalia. Many cultures give gifts on Christmas with people gathered around a decorated fir tree. A popular figure in Christmas lore is a fat, jolly gift-giver named Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle.

Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday celebrating African-American culture and history. Created in 1966 in the midst of the civil rights movement by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1. Each of the seven days focuses on one of the Nguzo Saba, or seven principles. These are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).

Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah) is the Jewish Festival of Lights. Legend has it that during a fight against the Syrian-Greeks, the Jews only had enough olive oil to light a candle for one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days. To commemorate this miracle, one candle is lit and placed upon a prong of the menorah on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. During the nightly celebrations families eat foods fried in oil including latkes (potato pancakes), play with a four-sided spinning top called a dreidel, and children are often given small coins, called gelt.

Diwali is one the most well-known Indian festivals and is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. The word itself means "rows of lighted clay lamps." It is a five-day celebration marked with bright colors, oil lamps, feasts, and sparklers. Diwali occurs on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartika (during October/November in the Gregorian calendar). Homes, courtyards, and rooftops are commonly decorated with small oil lamps called diyas. Rangoli, a form of colorful sand painting, adorns doorsteps.

In Muslim culture, Ramadan is the holy month of fasting celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. As a sign of sacrifice and humility to God, Muslims do not eat between sunrise to sunset and concentrate heavily on their prayers. Eid ul-Fitr (which means "Festival of Fast-Breaking"), is a three-day celebration which falls on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawall.

Winter Solstice -- the shortest day of the year -- usually occurs between December 20 and December 23 in the northern hemisphere. Many cultures celebrate this time because the worst of winter is behind them. The longer days and extended hours of sunshine symbolize light and birth. Many cultures celebrate by lighting fires or candles.