Christmas
Observed on December 25, Christmas is a religious holiday associated with the birth of Jesus, a central figure in Christianity. As told in the New Testament of the Bible, the story begins with the announcement that Mary has been chosen by God to give birth to baby Jesus. Mary and her husband Joseph then travel to Bethlehem for a census by the Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar. When they arrive, there is no room for them in the inn to stay at, so they end up spending the night in a stable where Jesus is born.
Celebrated by many students at NDB, Christmas includes traditions like decorating homes with lights and ornaments, exchanging gifts with loved ones and sharing festive meals with family and friends. Many also choose to attend religious services, such as Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Mass.
“I spend Christmas with my whole family, and we go to my grandparents’ house. I always knit my grandparents’ presents, and we go to church on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day,” said senior Shpresa Knowles-Osmeni.
While Christmas has evolved into a secular holiday, it marks a day of celebration for Jesus’ birth and a time to spend with loved ones.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that lasts eight nights, representing an ancient miracle performed by a group of Jewish rebels, known as the Maccabees. They revolted against a Greek king, reclaiming the temple that the new ruler prohibited from use. With the intent of rededicating the temple, the Maccabees lit a menorah with only enough oil for one day. The oil miraculously lasted for eight days, allowing them to produce more oil and thus began the celebration of Hanukkah.
“Every night of Hanukkah, we light a candle on the menorah until all eight are lit. Everyone does it differently but, for me, because my mom is Christian, we also celebrate Christmas, which usually means we don’t get presents for Hanukkah. But, a lot of my Jewish friends open presents every night. A core value of the holiday is definitely family, so we always try to do something, whether it’s on Zoom or in person,” said junior Lily Henry.
As Jewish people gather with friends and family for this holiday, they enjoy foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, play games and exchange gifts with one another. This holiday is a remembrance of the Maccabees and of the resilience of their ancestors.
Winter Solstice
Celebrated as a holiday in various cultures, the winter solstice marks the moment when the northern hemisphere experiences its shortest day and longest night. This year, the solstice will pass on the night of December 21 to the morning of December 22. It is observed in both a cultural and spiritual setting and recognizes the movement of the earth in connection with the sun. Symbolically, the holiday represents hope and brighter, sunnier days ahead in this seasonal shift.
Senior Lauren Pope is Swedish and has traveled to Sweden to visit extended family during the winter solstice.
“The holiday is like Thanksgiving in a way. We make our own foods in the winter. It’s very much about food because, historically, it was meant to gather all your meals for the upcoming months and bring peace for yourself in the winter. We also have a lot of events to be with family, like bonfires and dinners, mainly to catch up while we celebrate,” said Pope.
To celebrate the holiday, many participate in events and festivals, using it as an opportunity to enjoy time with their community. Lighting rituals, meals and quiet reflections are among the ways that people participate in the yearly tradition.
Bodhi Day
Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday that recognizes the day that Siddhartha Gautama, the first Buddha, gained enlightenment. The word “bodhi” itself means “awakening,” and so Buddhists use this day to honor the spiritual journey and impact of the Buddha. This year, Bodhi Day fell on Friday, December 8, and Buddhist families participated in meditations and prayers, and expressed gratitude for the compassion that the Buddha shared with the world.
Junior Maia Kawaguchi is Buddhist and, although she does not put a special emphasis on Bodhi Day, she enjoys traditions for other Buddhist holidays.
“We normally celebrate holidays by going to my grandparents’ house in San Jose. They are Buddhist and have a shrine at their house with incense, and we pray to the ancestors and lay out a bunch of foods and objects that past ancestors liked,” said Kawaguchi. “Another tradition in Buddhism is to lay food outside of the house so that you can guide the ancestors and spirits into the house, inviting and welcoming them in.”
Bodhi Day is a time that commemorates the history of this world’s religion and allows Buddhists to appreciate the beginning of their faith.
