Winter Editorial 

Posted Nov. 29, 2022

By The Highlander Staff

As the holidays approach, many of those who celebrate Christmas should remember that there are those who do not. 

That is not to say they do not celebrate. Many cultures celebrate during the holidays, and those cultures deserve the same respect and recognition as more popular celebrations like Christmas. Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Buddhist Bodhi, and even the Winter Solstice and Yule celebration are examples (two distinct holidays). Celebrating all cultural holidays allows us to broaden our thinking and knowledge to include other people. As we celebrate indigenous groups this month, we can also appreciate the indigenous cultures that are flourishing around the world. 

Around this time, there is an intense focus on Christmas, the most influential holiday, which is unavoidable given that approximately 70% of the population in the United States identifies as Christian. Obviously, the dominant population will triumph over religion in this case. But that shouldn't stop us from learning about or inquiring about the various religious holidays that occur in addition to Christmas.

But that doesn’t mean we should chastise or ignore the person who wished us a Merry Christmas. They're not saying "be a Christian;" they're just saying "Merry Christmas," as in "have a good time this year and have the best holidays."

Kwanzaa, for example, is an African American and Pan-African holiday observed from Dec. 26 to Jan 1. It celebrates what it means to be African and brings the community together in the most unifying way possible. Kwanzaa concludes with a communal feast that includes musical selections, readings of various principle texts, artistic performances, and so on. Activist Maulana Karega founded the holiday after being inspired by festival traditions from West and Southeast Africa.

Finally, there is Yule, a unique pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice. Most Americans are unaware that it is one of the world's oldest winter celebrations. It would commemorate the shortest day of the year, midwinter, the return of the Sun, and a festival of rebirth, which would take place this year from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1. Pagans commemorate the rebirth of the sun with gift exchanges, other joyous celebrations, and deep spiritual reflection. Those who observe it commemorate this time for new beginnings, rebirth, transformation, breaking bad habits, and creativity. Because the earth's axis is tilted farthest away from the Sun, it was celebrated to honor the Sun and the halfway point of summer.

One less noticeable Buddhist holiday, Bodhi, is observed on Dec. 8 every year, celebrated by Buddhists to commemorate the day Buddha attained enlightenment. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha attained enlightenment while sitting under a Bodhi tree. As a result, the significance of the holiday's name is highlighted. When recognizing all holidays, we must pay special attention to those that are not widely observed. That is why it is critical to be open about your surroundings and religious expression.

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah in Hebrew, is a holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple. It begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and lasts for eight days. It runs from Dec. 18 to Dec. 26, right in the middle of Christmas. The nightly menorah lighting is one of the most important aspects of Hanukkah. The aforementioned menorah has nine flames. One flame is lit by the first night, and so on until the eighth night of Chanukah, when all eight lights are lit. Before the menorah is lit, special blessings are recited, and then traditional religious songs are sung. Every home has a menorah, which is usually placed in a forward or window.

Chanukah repeats some important messages, such as never being afraid to stand up for what’s right. This message is especially important to heed in these times as many different holidays approach while we try to acknowledge the traditions of all. 

As one of the most diverse schools in the country, David Douglas must remember to observe all cultural holidays that are open to all. Some of these are religious holidays but keep in mind that they are also observed by people of other faiths. We must remember to celebrate ethnic holidays in December while celebrating Christmas this year.