Holidays around the world

The month of December is such a special time of joy, warmth and excitement. Families and friends all around the world gather for festivities that they hold near and dear to their hearts. Curious? Read below to learn a bit about what some of your friends may be celebrating a country away.

Santa Lucia’s Day

St. Lucia’s Day takes place on December 13th in Sweden. It is a celebration of light on the longest night of the year. Girls wear white dresses with red sashes around the waist and a crown of candles on their heads. These Lucias share their light and songs in church concerts, processions and visits to hospitals, factories and retirement homes. Each year, a national Lucia is chosen through a contest and each town and village chooses their own representative Lucia.

Omisoka

Omisoka is a Japanese New Year celebration that takes place on December 31st. The “new year, new me” mentality is celebrated with a purifying of the home. All the clutter that was collected throughout the year is organized and the home is left squeaky clean in a process called osoji. Families also stay home to watch a national New Year’s talent competition and enjoy a meal of Toshikoshisoba. These are long noodles that signify a long life. Temple bells toll at midnight which holds spiritual significance for many Japanese individuals as it represents the human desires that cause suffering.

Hanukkah

This eight-day “festival of lights” is a Jewish celebration filled with a nightly lighting of the menorah, special prayers and fried foods. The Hanukkah candles lit on the menorah are a symbol of courage because they honor the Maccabees’s victory over King Antiochus, who forbade Jews to practice their religion.

Las Posadas

Las Posadas is nine days of religious observance celebrated by Mexico, Guatemala and other Central American countries. Each of the nine days commemorates the Christian journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of refuge to give birth to Jesus. They were ultimately only able to find shelter in a stable, where Jesus Christ was born. Family and friends celebrate by visiting one another’s homes, singing carols and reading scripture. Children also break open pinatas modeled after the star used to guide the three biblical wise men to the newborn Jesus.The word “posada” literally translates to “lodge.”

Greenheart wishes a happy holidays to all of our beloved community members. We hope this season is filled with so much love and joy!