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C
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Hol
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Bodhi or Rohatsu Day

• A Zen Buddhist Holiday to celebrate the
  enlightenment of the Buddha. The story is told,
  Buddha was born on the 8th day of the 12th lunar
  month.
• The majority of Zen Buddhist are normally
  located in Japan, but they are located throughput
  most of the world.
• This is a day in which Buddhists show their
  respect to the Buddha, but they recognize the
  Buddha is not someone they should worship. They
  view the Buddha as someone they can learn from to
  improve their own life to reach enlightenment.

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• The week before this holiday, Buddhist practice
  intense meditation. This is a time for a Buddhist
  to focus on themselves and how they can improve
  to reach full enlightenment.
• Reaching enlightenment is the goal for all
  Buddhists.
• Being an enlightened one is to be connected to
  yourself and with the world around you.

• The picture above is of a Mandala. These take
  three weeks to create.
• They are made out of colored sand and are two
  dimensional.
• They are created by Buddhist monks, and it is
  used for meditative purposes.

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Chanukah or Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for dedication.
Hanukkah is more of a celebration than a
religious holiday. It celebrates the liberation
of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Temple.
When the Hebrews were preparing to rededicate the
Temple, they only found enough oil for the Temple
lamp for one day. According to legend, the oil
lasted for eight days. The lighting of candles
for eight consecutive nights has become the
traditional way to celebrate Hanukkah.
Chanukah begins at sunset on December 21st and
lasts until December 29th.
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Traditions of Chanukah Chanukah lasts eight
days. On each day feelings of gratitude are
expressed through special prayers, and the lights
of the Menorah are lit each evening. It is also
customary during the holiday for members of the
family to play dreidel, to give presents, and to
eat oily delicacies such as donuts, pancakes and
"latkes."
Happy Chanukah
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History of Christmas Annual Christian
celebration honoring the birth of Jesus
Christ Celebrated in December since the fourth
centuryMany countries exchange gifts and/or
cards Christmas is a religious holiday and a
secular winter holiday
Christmas
Joyeux Noel
Feliz Navidad
Merry Christmas
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Saint Nicolas

• Saint Nicolas was born into a wealthy Catholic
  family. His parents died when he was young. With
  his inheritance he decided to help the people in
  need especially children.
• Saint Nicolas later became a bishop and served
  on the Counsel of Nicaea.
• His day of celebration is on December 6th. This
  is also to celebrate the small children.

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Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is December 26th through January 1st. Dr.
Maulana Karenga started the celebration of
Kwanzaa in 1966.
Representation of Colors Black is for the face of
the African American people Red is for the blood
that the African American people shed Green is
for hope and the color of the motherland
Kwanzaa Ritual The Kinara (candleholder) is
placed atop the Mkeka (mat, usually straw). The
Mishumaa Saba (seven candles) represent the Nguzo
Saba (seven principles). Each candle represents a
distinct principle beginning with Umoja. Candles
are then lit each day alternately from left to
right. Three red candles should be placed on t he
left and three green candles should be placed on
the right.
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Kwanzaa is a Swahili word that means "first
fruits of the harvest."
Kwanzaa builds on the five fundamental
activities of Continental African "first fruit"
celebrations ingathering reverence
commemoration recommitment and celebration.
Happy Kwanzaa