Christmas Celebrations by Candle Light

For centuries, candle light has been used in rituals to symbolize rebirth, hope, the human spirit, renewal and the return of the sun in spring. Candle light is also used to celebrate birthdays and to facilitate prayers. However, most of us associate candle light with the burning of christmas candles during the Winter Solstice.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for the eight days between 25 and December 26. Eight candles are lit in candle holders called monorahs. These candles celebrate the victory of Judas Maccabee over the Syrian Antiochus. After many years of fighting, Judas returned to Jerusalem to rebuild a Temple that had been misused by Antiochus. When it was time to light the Holy Light, one jar of oil was found, which was only enough to light the lamp for only one day. It would have taken about eight days to prepare more fresh oil. A miracle occurred when the one jar of oil burned for eight days and eight nights. To celebrate this miracle the Jewish people light one wax candle for each night.

Kwanzaa is a cultural festival celebrated with candle light by African-Americans. Kwanzaa, which is a Kiswahili word, means "the first fruits of the harvest". It begins December 26th and lasts for seven days. In 1966, Dr.Maulana "Ron" Karenga, a college professor and African American leader created a special holiday that celebrated the history of African-Americans. This holiday is based on a celebration of "first fruits" or harvest. A candle holder with seven wax candles is placed on a straw place mat. In the candle holder are three wax candles placed on the left, one black wax candle in the middle and three green candles placed on the right. The black candle light represents the African-American people, the red candle light represents hope and the green candle light --prosperity in the future. The candles are lit before evening meals, with the black candle lighted first and the rest of the candles lit from left to right.

Christmas is a special holiday celebrated on December 25th. It is celebrated by religious people because of the birth of Jesus Christ. He was known to as to be their saviour. Three kings went to see Jesus with three gifts to present to him. Christians celebrate this holiday by lighting scented pillar candles, votive candles and taper candles. These christmas candles often smell like pine, frankincense, myrrh or cinnamon. Some Catholic traditions also light advent candles which are four to five candles lit every Sunday preceding Christmas day. These christmas candles are placed on an every green bough. Whichever tradition best uses you, candle light is an important component of the holiday season.

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