Embedded Files
Cultural Corner is a feature that showcases cultural celebrations for a given month.
Happy Holidays!
On behalf of the entire The WYWLA Post staff, we wish everyone a
happy and safe holiday season in the company of loved ones.
5 Christmas Fast Facts
*Christmas is celebrated on December 25th throughout most of the world. Exceptions include Orthodox churches in Russia, Belarus, Serbia, and Jerusalem. They celebrate it on January 7th.
*Christmas trees first came into American popular culture in the 1820s by German immigrants in Pennsylvania. Before this time is was not commonplace to have a tree indoors for decoration during the Christmas season.
*Stars atop Christmas trees symbolize the star of Bethlehem which guided the three wise men as they headed to visit the baby Jesus.
*According to Hallmark, Christmas is the largest card-sending holiday in the United States with over 1. 3 billion cards sent every year in the United States alone!
*The National Retail Federation reports that the Friday and Saturday leading up to Christmas are traditionally the biggest shopping days of the year! In 2022, retails sales topped $936.2 billion for the holiday season!
5 Hanukkah Fast Facts
*Hanukkah lasts for eight days to commemorate how long the holy light burned. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem.
*Menorahs are candelabras with nine candles. One candle is lit every day during Hanukkah. The center candle (the shamash) is lit first followed by the next candle(s).
*People fry foods during Hanukkah as a symbol of the oil that burned for eight days. Fried foods include: latkes, sufganiyot, challah french toast, and fried pastries.
*Hanukkah is not celebrated on the same days every year because it is based on the Hebrew calendar and not the Gregorian one used in the Western Hemisphere.
*The dreidel has its origins in 16th century Germany. English and German words were replaced with Hebrew ones.
5 Kwanzaa Fast Facts
*Kwanzaa is derived from "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili.
*Kwanzaa lasts for 7 days from December 26th to January 1st. There are seven principles. One for each day: Umoja - Unity: To remain united in the community, Kujichagulia - Self-Determination: To be responsible for yourself and your community, Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility: To work together, Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics: To create African-American owned businesses, Nia - Purpose: To build and develop the community, Kuumba - Creativity: To improve our community and make it more beautiful, and Imani - Faith: To believe that the world can become a better place.
*Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration not a religious one.
*Kwanzaa is an African-inspired but American invented holiday.
*Home-made and educational gifts are encouraged.
Have an December birthday?
Click the cake to see who shares your special day?
Page updated
Report abuse