Happy Holidays

Hanukkah
candles Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday. Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights. Each night, families get together. They light a candle on the menorah. They exchange gifts and eat special food.

Christmas
Christmas Day is on December 25th. People celebrate the birth of Christ. There are special church services. There are many Christmas traditions. People decorate Christmas trees. They sing carols. They hang up stockings. They exchange gifts. They have a turkey dinner. Christmas Tree

Julian Calendar
Some people celebrate Christmas Day on January seventh. They follow the Julian calendar. It is an older calendar of the church year.

Background Information

Not everyone celebrates Christmas the same way. In fact, not everyone celebrates Christmas at all. Talk about what you and your family do for Christmas or whatever holiday you might celebrate during December. If you do celebrate Christmas, talk about who might not celebrate Christmas and what they might celebrate instead.

Questions

1. What kind of holiday is Hanukkah?

2. What is a menorah?

3. What do people do during Hanukkah?

4. What are people celebrating during Christmas?

5. What are carols?

6. Why do people hang up stockings?

7. When is another date that people might celebrate Christmas?

8. What is the Julian calendar?

9. What do people do during Hanukkah and Christmas that are the same?

Other Activities: You and your tutor can do some research and find out what the origins are of some Christmas traditions, Hanukkah or other celebrations. Then write about what you find out.


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