Late November and December usher in a season of celebrations for many cultures and religions. Ramadan, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa are four of the more widely recognized festivals celebrated during these months.

Why does winter's appearance coincide with so many holidays? One reason may be the winter solstice. Many pre-Christian cultures celebrated the beginning of winter and/or the lengthening of daylight after the winter solstice. Other festivals simply follow the religious calendars unique to their faith.

Light the candles for Hanukkah

Hanukkah or Chanukah, which means dedication, begins the 25th day of Kislev, the third month of the Jewish calendar. This month generally corresponds to December on our calendar.

Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights and commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 B.C. After three years of Syrian rule when the temple was used to worship the pagan god, Zeus, Maccabee purged the temple and rededicated it the Jewish god. The rededication festivities were to last eight days, but according to tradition, the temple lamps only had a one-day supply of oil. However, this small amount burned miraculously for eight days.

Today, the central feature of the Hanukkah celebration is the lighting of candles, one a night for eight nights. These candles are held by a special candelabrum called a menorah, which has eight branches and a holder for an extra candle, used to light the others. Celebrants recite a blessing each night as the candles are lit. Special foods, songs and games are also part of this family occasion. This year's Hanukkah celebration runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 7.

Christmas celebrates a birthday

Christmas, which is generally celebrated on Dec. 25 each year, is based on the story of Jesus of Nazareth's birth as described in the Christian Bible's New Testament. Since no one knows the actual date of birth, most scholars believe the December date was selected in the 4th century to substitute for pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. Consequently, certain pagan traditions were adopted into Christmas observations and have become known as long-standing Christmas traditions.

For example, ancient Europeans believed mistletoe helped bestow life and fertility, peace and health. And Northern Europeans associated the plant with Freya, the Norse goddess of love, kissing under its branches. Christians incorporated this tradition into their celebrations, and it has since become part of secular Christmas celebrations.

For although Christmas is rooted in religious traditions, it has become a huge secular festival in Canada and the United States. Most people who celebrate Christmas recognize it for gatherings of friends and family, feasting and gift giving.

The faithful fast during Ramadan

Ramadan is the holy month of fasting for adult Muslims, and it is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Islamic year is 12 months totaling 354 days, and as a result, Ramadan occurs about 11 days earlier each year. This year, Ramadan began Nov. 6.

According to Islam's sacred scripture, the Koran, God requires the fast of Ramadan to help believers cultivate piety. It is also sacred because the Koran was first revealed to Islam's prophet, Muhammad, during this month.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the essential duties of all Muslim adults. From sunrise to sunset each day, they consume neither food nor water. In addition, fasting includes abstinence from smoking, sex and inhaling perfumes. Light meals are taken before sunrise and after sunset. The entire month is celebrated through worship and charity.

A feast to end the fast, called Eid al Fitr, marks the end of this holy month. This year it falls on Dec. 6. Celebrants dress up, pray communally and provide for the poor.

Celebrate the harvest with Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a relatively new holiday, emerging about 1966 to help African communities throughout the world celebrate family, community and culture. Kwanzaa is the Swahili word for "first fruits," and the holiday is rooted in ancient African harvest celebrations.

For seven days, from Dec. 26 to Jan.1, Kwanzaa is celebrated in rituals, dialogue, narratives, poetry, dancing, singing, drumming, other music and feasting. Like Hanukkah, a central activity is the lighting of candles, in this case seven candles called mishumaa. One candle is lit each day for the Seven Principles of:

• Unity
• Self-determination
• Collective work and responsibility
• Cooperative economics
• Purpose
• Creativity
• Faith

On the final day of Kwanzaa, celebrants assess their moral and cultural grounding and their worthiness in family, community and culture

Explore the holidays more fully
The following resources can help you and your students explore these winter holidays. Learn more about how others celebrate.

www2.worldbook.com/features/features.asp?feature=holidays&page=html/holidays.htm&direct=no - Check out this encyclopedia's overviews of some major winter holidays.

www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/winterholidays.shtml - December Holidays links to classroom activities for Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa.

www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-6609.html - More classroom activites on winter holidays integrated for all subjects.

webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/holidays.htm - Find links to lots of resources and activities for Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa.

www.holidays.net/ramadan/ - Ramadan on the Net covers the history and observances of this important Islamic holiday.

www.holidays.net - Holidays on the Net covers all major holidays and provides help for educators.

www.theholidayspot.com - This site also covers major holidays, including December's major festivals.