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December 2005 EOP Newsletter
- From The Director
- Extra! Extra! Read All About It! EOP Banquet Date Changed!
- Financial Aid Report
- Funding Your Education: Scholarships
- EOP Tips For Final Exam Preparation
- Career Corner
- Celebrating Diversity in the Holidays: CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH AND KWANZAA
- AIDS And HIV Among Minorities
- Where Is The Unity?
- I Am Thankful For…
- Words To Live By
- Student Spotlight
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY IN THE HOLIDAYS: CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH AND KWANZAA
All over the world, the holiday season is celebrated in different and unique ways. Three of the most popular holidays celebrated during the month of December are Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Christmas
Christmas is the Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, who Christians believe is the Son of God. Christmas is a religious holiday, and in the United States the traditions surrounding Christmas have provided the basis for a secular winter festival of celebration and gift giving.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is observed by millions of Jews around the globe; it commemorates the victory of faith over tyranny. Although Hanukkah is technically a minor Jewish festival, it is a holiday for which Jews exchange gifts. It also is celebrated in the Jewish month of Kislev, which usually falls in December. This combination has resulted in the misperception that Hanukkah is "the Jewish Christmas." In fact, this festival has a rich tradition and history of its own.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a festive, nonreligious celebration, founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, during which African Americans celebrate and reflect upon their rich heritage. It begins December 26 and lasts for seven days. Each day focuses on one of seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
