Different people. Different families. Different cultures. Different religions. Different holidays.
The winter season is here, and RCMS students are celebrating different holidays with their families.
Picture red, green, and white lights decorated all over town squares, houses, apartments, buildings, and more: a place dressed up for Christmas! An interesting fact is that from 1659 to 1681, celebrating Christmas was illegal! This is in huge contrast to the fact that approximately 85% of America – about 284,665,000 people – celebrates Christmas right now.
Some popular foods people eat on this holiday are mashed potatoes or turkey.
“We get ham,” said Gina Barylski, age 12 on the Majestic team.
But Christmas is even more special with snow.
“We just stay at home and watch the snow fall,” said Tobias Lim, age 12 on the Champions team.
Sanjana Nalamani, age 12, on the Majestics team, agrees.
“I was born in January so I love winter,” said Sanjana.
“I remember when I was little,” Mrs. Jennifer Masood, the history teacher on the Champions Team said, “my dad taking us to cut down a Christmas tree, and it was snowing, and we were on a Christmas tree farm, and he had a blanket, and we covered ourselves with it, and cut the tree.”
People also receive gifts.
“When I was eight, [ I loved] this unicorn stuffed animal I got from my cousins,” said Allison Kim, age 12, on the Dream team. She describes feeling “so happy.”
But Allison isn’t the only one who cherishes the happy feelings of Christmas.
“I think there’s just something in the air that makes everyone happy,” said Mr. Moosa Shah, a retired science teacher.
Christmas is also about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, an important figure in Christianity.
“Christmas is not about the presents or the toys,” says Hana Kalapasev, age 12 on the Champions team. “It’s about honoring Jesus.”
For this holiday, celebrated all over the globe and even in space, playing dreidel and lighting menorahs is common. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah usually falls between November and December—and it begins on Dec. 25 this year. This cultural celebration lasts for eight days and eight nights. About six million people celebrate Hanukkah in America. Some popular foods are latkes, challah, and kugel.
“We play dreidel and we eat gelt,” said Brooke Peters, age 12, on the Trailblazers team.
Another tradition many Jewish families observe during this time is lighting the menorah. The menorah has nine candles, one for each day and one to light the rest.
“My favorite experience is when we light the menorah,” said Brooke.
Can you hear carolers? Do you see a child dressed as an angel? Can you taste tamales? Do you feel cold air? Can you sniff out the sweet smell of churros? This holiday is called Las Posadas. Several countries, including America and Mexico, celebrate this Hispanic holiday. This holiday was founded in Mexico to celebrate the travels that Mary and Joseph forged to find a safe place for Jesus to be born.
Next though, it is Boxing Day. On this day, many people eat soup, ham, or trifle. Boxing Day is a day to donate to the poor. It started in 1743 and was the day that servants and the poor would get gifts. It’s now associated with sporting events and shopping.
Kinaras on display. Whiffs of gumbo. Attending community events. Now gifts are arriving. Zen people fill the room. A feast fills stomachs. Ancestors are honored. This is Kwanzaa. About three million people around the world celebrate this cherished holiday. Kwanzaa is a holiday that lets African Americans celebrate their past and their culture. In addition to this, the holiday was created by Maulana Ron Karenga, an American activist and author.
Now imagine fireworks and the clinking of glasses. These are the unmistakable sights and sounds of a New Year’s celebration. About 59% of adults in America celebrate the New Year. Some popular foods people prepare are fish, cornbread, or lentils. The holiday has been celebrated for about 4,000 years, since an emperor a long time ago decided that we should celebrate Jan. 1, the beginning of the year.
“On New Year’s Eve, we have finger foods for dinner,” said Mrs Masood. “And on New Year’s Day, we have a family brunch and we eat praline french toast.”
Some other holidays celebrated during winter this school year are:
- Three Kings Day
- Saint Lucy’s Day
- Diwali
- Winter Solstice
- Bodhi Day
- Chinese New Year
- Saint Nicholas Day
- Posadas Navidenas
- Yule
- Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
- Thanksgiving
- Nativity of Mary
- Soyal
And more!!..
“I am so excited for the holidays!” said Sanjana in early December.
