We are so fortunate to live in a country where so many cultures can celebrate without fear.  However, when we wish each other Happy Holidays, do we really know what holidays are celebrated during the month of December?

On December 8th, Buddhists celebrate Buddah’s enlightenment, or Bodhi Day. According to tradition, Siddhartha had recently forsaken years of extreme ascetic practices and resolved to sit under a Pipul tree and simply meditate until he found the root of suffering, and how to liberate one's self from it.

The Jewish holy season, Hanukkah is celebrated sundown on December 11th (called the festival of lights), and lasts for eight days.  Hanukkah celebrates the victory (165 BCE) of the Maccabees over the Syrian tyrant Antiochus IV and the subsequent reclamation of Jerusalem. Each evening the Hanukkah menorah is lit, with one more candle being lit every day until all the candles are alight. The 9th branch carries the shammash (or "servant") candle, and this is used to light the others. After the lighting it is customary to sing Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages), a traditional song, as well as other Hanukkah songs. Many times the children or adults will play the dreidel game while the candles are burning, do hanukkah crafts, eat chocolate gelt, cook up a platter of latkes & sour cream, or read the story of hanukkah aloud. Often there are latkes and sofganiot (jelly donuts), as well as chocolate gelt and other goodies. Any food cooked in oil is traditional during Hanukkah, but the most popular is probably potato latkes, traditionally served with sour cream and apple sauce.

On December 18th, Al Hijra, the Muslim new year is celebrated.  The Muslims consider this the new year because it is on the first day of Muharram, the month in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE (the Hijra). The holiday is also known simply as Muharram. Islamic years are calculated from 1 Muharram, 622 CE. They are followed by the suffix AH, which stands for "After Hijira" or Anno Higirae (Latin). In 2009, Al-Hijra falls on December 18th, 2009, which will be 1430 AH.

There are few rituals associated with Islamic New Year. There are no prescribed religious observances. Most Muslims regard the day as a time for reflection on the Hijira and on the year to come. In modern times, some Muslisms exchange greeting cards to celebrate the holiday.

On December 25th, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ or Christmas. Most Christians celebrate Advent in preparation for Christ's birth, which is a joyous time in the church year!  Prayers are said after lighting candles on the Advent Wreath and Nativity Scenes depicting Christ laying in a manger are on display.

Christmas is also celebrated as a major commercial holiday all around the world, where gift-giving reigns supreme.  Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Mistletoe, and lights decorate houses.  Traditionally, families exchange gifts, greeting cards, and children wait for Santa Claus to deliver gifts in hopes they are on the "Nice List."

Kwanzaa, meaning “first fruits,” is a week-long African-American cultural festival beginning on December 26 and ending on January 1. The festival was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga. Dr. Karenga's goal was to establish a holiday that would facilitate African-American goals of building a strong family, learning about African-American history, and developing unity.

Traditions include lighting Kinara candles, pouring of libations and culminating in a feast and gift-giving.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, it is the Puryear Team's wish that you have a joyous one, filled with family, friends, and love.