Welcome to a RAOK Holiday! Whether you celebrate
Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, this is a
wonderful time of year where we all seem to
unite in harmony and love.
Hanukkah, which means dedication in Hebrew, is known as the "Feast of Dedication". As well as the more commonly referred to name of "Festival of Lights". It begins on the 25th day of Kisley, which is approximately November-December on a conventional calendar. The holiday, commemorates the Maccabees' 165 B.C.E. victory over the Antiochus of Syria.
Hanukkah lasts for eight days and is symbolized by the lighting of the nine candle menorah. The longer middle candle, known as the shamash, is used to light the other eight candles. The first night the shamash is lit and used to light the first candle on the menorah; the second night the shamash is lit and used to light candles one and two on the menorah; the third night the shamash is lit and used to light candles one through three on the menorah. The tradition continues until there are eight candles lit at the same time, plus the shamash. The menorah is placed near the window so that the candles may be seen from the street. In Israel, menorahs are lit through the city and all lights throughout the city are kept on during the eight day celebration. A game called dreidel is also a game traditional of Hanukkah. Hanukkah/Chanukah Links Happy Chanukah The History of Hanukkah Billy Bear's Hanukkah Index (make a dreidel, candle treats, puzzles, stationery, make a star of David, holiday links, and lots more) JewishHolidays.com The Jewish Holiday Kitchen
The Kwanzaa celebration is not a festival originating in any of the 55 African countries nor is it an "African" Christmas celebration. Kwanzaa is an African Americans celebration of life from December 21 untill January 1. Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1996 to the U.S. as a ritual to welcome the first harvest to the home. Dr. Karenga created this festival for African Americans as a response to the commercialism of Christmas. Kwanzaa is very similar to Thanksgiving. The word "Kwanzaa" is a Ki Swahili word meaning first. Five common sets of values are central to the activities of the week: ingathering, reverance, commemoration, recommitment, and celebration. The seven principles of Kwanzaa use Ki Swahili Words: umoja (unity), kujichaguila (self determination), ujima collective work and responsibility), ujamma (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kummba (creativity), and imani (faith). Each of these principles are represented by candles. During the week of Kwanzaa, people gather in the evenings to light the candles of the kinara and share thoughts. There are seven candles with three red candles to the right, three green candles to the left, and one black candle in the center. The red is for the blood of the African people, the green is for the hope of new life, and the black is for the face of African people. The table is set with straw mats called mkeka, this reminds them of traditions and starting places, and mazao and muhundi, fruits and vegetables, represented the rewards of unity. Muhundi are ears of corn and there is one ear for each child. Children are the center of the Kwanzaa celebration. There is also a unity cup called kikombe cha umoja, from which everyone drinks. During each night of Kwanzaa a person might stay home with family or join other people out in the community. On the sixth night there is a celebration called karamu. There are folktales, songs, stories of the lives of famous African Americans, and plenty of food to enjoy. This is the night that people exchange gifts too. It is a feast of the past, present, and dreams for the future. Kwanzaa is a way of life. Its not just a celebration. It is a week of remembering, reassesing, recommiting, rewarding, and rejoicing. For evaluation of African Americans and their history, they relate to their past, reasses their thoughts and practice, and recommit themselves to the achievements black freedom and the improvement of life for all African Americans. Kwanzaa Links Kwanzaa Information Center Everything About Kwanzaa Kwanzaa Cards Kwanzaa Recipes Billy Bear's Kwanzaa Index (the seven principle of Kwanzaa, things to make for Kuumba, desktop goodies, postcards, games, holiday links, and lots more)
Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th. It is a joyous time of reflection, gift giving and goodwill toward men.
Angels are a big part of the holiday
season and we have several that are available
for adoption
Please take an angel and an adoption certificate.
You may link the certificate back to this project page at
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Canyon/5077/project15/holidays.html
Holiday Links
Holiday Safety Toy Safety Tips for the Holidays Holiday Food Safety Tips Avoiding Fire and Injury this Holiday Season More Holiday Safety Tips Holiday Safety Tips for Pets Poison Guide for Pets Toy Safety Lighting Display Advice Tree Safety Christmas Lights and Safety General Christmas Safety tips A solution you can spray your tree with that might aide in fire safety The Doll and the White Rose A special holiday story about drinking and driving
Fun Stuff for Kids and Crafts
Make a Peppermint Candy Dish
Make a Christmas Gift Bag
An Online Christmas Coloring Book
Uses Java applet Printable Christmas Coloring Pages
(auto-scrolls down to pages you can choose from) Santa Letter Jigsaw Puzzle
(easy; requires Shockwave control) Billy Bear's Christmas Index of fun Christmas things to do
(Santa's post office, christmas cards, make snowmen, advent calendar, crafts, holiday links, and lots more) Christmas Crafts Galore Elf Buddies
Miscellaneous Links
Toys For Tots Website
Winter Festivals: Past and Present
A Canine Christmas
The Christmas Seals
The Hunger Site
Winter Holidays Around The World
Dongji holiday in Asia
Saturnalia
Facts about Saint Nicholas Day
Christmas traditions from around the world
Merry Christmas in 135 Languages!
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It
is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan.
Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours
and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family.
It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family
and community ties. According to the Islamic Society of North America
the first day of fasting for Ramadan is expected to be December 9,1999.
(In the year 2000, Ramadan begins November 27)
Ramadan Links
Ramadan Greeting cards
The Story of Ramadan
Ramadan
This is our Quilt square, submitted toThe Quilt For the Cause
You may use the graphic above to link to this page.
The URL is http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Canyon/5077/project15/holidays.html
For more Holidays and Fun,
be sure to click on next!
Winter Wonderland
