The Columbia Orchestra wishes you a happy and safe holiday season! In honor of this joyous time of year, read about and listen to songs connected with Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa—a few of the many holidays celebrated this time of year.
Christmas: Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells is a Christmas season classic and is performed by many people including Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé. Bobby Helms even re-arranged it into "Jingle Bell Rock."
Jingle Bells is sung in many countries and languages. This YouTube video from Erasmus Lapijoki, includes Jingle Bells sung in six different languages: Greek, Czech, Catalan, Polish, Finnish, and English.
Hanukkah: Rock of Ages
Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the lamp oil that was only supposed to last for one day but lasted for 8 days, which was how long it took to get more oil for the lamp! Without the lamp, worshipers wouldn't have been able to stay in the temple and worship. Hanukkah lasts for 8 days. The day it starts is based on the Jewish calendar and varies from year to year.
To celebrate Hanukkah, people light the Menorah—a candlestick that holds eight candles. A candle is lit each of the eight nights of Hanukkah to commemorate the oil lamp burning for 8 days. Rock of Ages is the song that is sung after lighting the Menorah.
Kwanzaa: Kwanzaa is HereKwanzaa
is a seven day celebration of African-American culture. Each day has a
meaning or principle—unity, self determination, collective work and
responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Celebrations include the decorating of homes with colorful African
cloths, reading the African Pledge and Principles of Blackness, and
discussing the principle of the specific day. Seven candles are lit,
each signifying one of the seven principles and there is a feast at the
end of the celebration.
Kwanzaa is Here is a song that celebrates and explains the different activities associated with Kwanzaa!
Learn more about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in this YouTube video from Peacock Jr. Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebrated in India, is also explained.
Why Christmas.com's website includes information about Christmas traditions in 90 countries around the world. There are also lots of fun Christmas activities, games, and recipes.
Activity Village.co.uk's website has Kwanzaa crafts to make, inspired by traditional African handicrafts and the colors of Kwanzaa - red, green and black.
PJ Library's website offers 12 Hanukkah activities, including making a dreidel out of Legos!
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