Holiday overview

By MORGAN ROMEY
Student contributor

As the students of Poly look forward to our long-awaited Winter Break, images of Santa and Rudolph may be the first things that pop into many of our heads.  But, of course, Winter Break is a time for celebrating many holidays, as well as a time to just relax and hang out with friends.  Some Poly students have highlighted the lack of stress and getting more sleep as what they are looking forward to most this holiday season.   Many others are vacationing to beaches or mountains and visiting their relatives’ homes. In addition to their diverse vacation plans, Poly students will also be celebrating a number of holidays. Students of the Christian faith celebrate Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.  Students of non-religious persuasions also enjoy this holiday for the family gatherings, food and presents involved.  However, there are a large number of students who celebrate other widely recognized holidays.
Hanukkah, an eight-day festival starting on December 21 is celebrated by people of the Jewish faith. This holiday, also called the Festival of Lights, celebrates the oil that miraculously burned for eight days at the Temple of Jerusalem.  Jewish families celebrate by lighting one candle of the menorah every sunset and exchanging gifts.
Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated by some African American families, taking place from December 26 to January 1.  Each day represents an ideal that the African American community values, the first day focusing on the idea of unity and the final day on faith.  This holiday tradition, first celebrated in the late 1960s, celebrates African heritage and connection.  On December 31, the families gather for a feast, called “Karamu,” where family members emphasize their common ancestry.  Gifts are usually exchanged on the final day and are distinguished by creativity, rather than extravagance.
Another prominent holiday in many areas of the world is the Muslim holiday Eid-al-Adha, often called “Eid.” This holiday celebrates the story in the Quran in which Ibrahim obeys God by sacrificing his child to the prophet Ishmael. People celebrate by congregating at their mosque for morning prayers, visiting relatives and family friends and exchanging gifts.
Regardless of what Poly students choose to do over this break, they will undoubtedly face a great time to unwind, rest and of course, start to study for midterms.