Winter holiday greetings can be a selection of greetings that are spoken with good intentions to stranger, family, and friends during the months of
December and January. Winter holidays with greetings include Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving (USA) and Hanukkah, Ramadan, and Kwanzaa in the
United States. Some greetings are more prevalent than others, depending on the Cultural and Religious status of the population of a given area.
Typically, a greeting consists of the word "Happy" followed by the holiday, such as "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy New Year," although the phrase "Merry
Christmas" is a notable exception. When one wishes to convey a greeting to another regardless of which particular holiday the other may personally
observe, the collective phrase "Happy Holidays" is often used as a simple way to refer to all of the winter holidays, or to the three major calendar
holidays of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. However, some controversy has aroused regarding the phrase "Happy Holidays" as an
alleged attempt to diminish Christmas. I look at it as “Coming Together” term which is an important part of the Dolan Christmas Holiday, the
“Gathering of the Clan”.
So please don’t be offended when I wish all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, and a wonderful new year. May the Lord bless you and your families this
wonderful time of the year.
Some Holiday Season Facts from this area to share with your loved ones.
Christmas Day
Ø Marks the traditional birth date of Jesus of Nazareth.
Ø Christmas traditions include the display of Nativity Scenes and Christmas Trees, the exchange of gifts and cards and of course the arrival of
Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, giving, compassion, and quality Family Time.
Ø Christmas Day falls on December 25th. Some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7th.
Ø December 25 as a birth date for Jesus is merely traditional, and is not thought to be his actual date of birth.
Chanukah (The Festival of lights)
Ø An eight day holiday which begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev
Ø It marks the miraculous victory of the Jews, led by the Maccabees, against Greek persecution and religious oppression.
Ø In addition to being victorious in war, another miracle occurred:
o When the Maccabees came to rededicate the Temple, they found only one flask of oil with which to light the Menorah. This small flask lasted
for eight days.
Ø Chanukah begins on December 4, 2007, and ends on December 12, 2007.
Ø This year (5768 / 2007-2008)
Ø On the evening before each one of the days, the corresponding number of Chanukah candles are lit
Ramadan (The fourth pillar of Islam)
Ø The fourth pillar of Islam which is fasting is also called Ramadan
Ø It is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, established in the year 638.
Ø It is considered the most venerated, blessed and spiritually-beneficial month of the Islamic year.
Ø Prayers, fasting, charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time.
Ø Religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month.
Ø God prescribes daily fasting for all able, adult Muslims during the whole month of Ramadan, beginning with the sighting of the new moon.
Ø In 2007 the month of Ramadan (1428 AH) began on September 13 and lasted through October 12.
KWANZAA
Ø Is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and
self-improvement.
Ø It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture.
Ø Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas.
Ø Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance.
Ø When establishing Kwanzaa in 1966, Dr. Karenga included an additional "a" to the end of the spelling to reflect the difference between the
African American celebration (kwanzaa) and the Motherland spelling (kwanza).
Ø Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance, and is celebrated from December 26th to
January 1st.
WAMPANOAG Cranberry Day
Ø Cranberry Day is the most important and meaningful holiday of the year for the Wampanoag.
Ø The tradition of giving thanks to the Creator for a good harvest is an ancient one for the Wampanoag. “Every day (is) a day of thanksgiving to
the Wampanoag . . .(We) give thanks to the dawn of the new day, at the end of the day, to the sun, to the moon, for rain for helping crops grow. . .
There (is) always something to be thankful for. .. Giving thanks comes naturally for the Wampanoag.”
Ø The Cranberry Harvest celebrates the ripening of the last wild berry. A ceremony is held around the time of Winter solstice.
Ø The harvest celebration is held after the work has been completed. The celebration is a time of reflection and prayer of thanks to the Creator
for providing sustenance for the Wampanoag people.
Ø Their celebrations have always also included singing, dancing, and the sharing of food throughout the community.DaveMoral - 12-13-2007 at 10:34 PM
Ramadan is not a "winter holiday" by any stretch of the imagination. Shit, it was in Sept/Oct this year. Islamic calendar is lunar, each month begins
with the new moon. Every year any new moon is 11 days earlier than it was the previous year.JawnDiablo - 12-14-2007 at 06:58 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Boycott Christian HC
I want a Satan day where all the PC pussies could serve as human sacrifice.
only If we can eat the dead things....upyerbum - 12-14-2007 at 08:03 AM
We're just one big happy fucking family.BDx13 - 12-14-2007 at 02:54 PM
the english say 'happy christmas'upyerbum - 12-14-2007 at 03:49 PM
Yeah, but they're gay.XHonusWagnerX - 12-14-2007 at 09:10 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by upyerbum
Yeah, but they're gay.
