Winter Holiday Celebrations

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Winter Holiday Celebrations
Key Vocabulary
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Menorah

A menorah is a candleholder of 9 candles. There
are 8 candles, one for each night of Hanukkah.
The 9th candle is the Shamash, and is used to
light the other candles.
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Kinara
Used during Kwanzaa, this wooden candleholder
holds 7 candles. One black candle is in the
middle, 4 red candles are placed to the left, and
4 green candles to the right.
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Advent Wreath
An Advent wreath is an evergreen wreath with 4
candles encircling it each candle represents a
Sunday of Advent. There are 4 candles. Some have
a white candle in the center that is lit on
Christmas Day.
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Dreidel
Played during Hanukkah, a dreidel is a toy that
looks like a top and is used for playing a game
of chance.
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Christmas Tree
Used during the Christian holiday, a Christmas
tree is an evergreen tree. It is a
representation of life. The tree is decorated
with lights and ornaments.
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Heritage
A tradition of something that is passed down from
ones ancestors
Anticipation
Expecting or hoping for something to happen
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Winter Solstice
A celebration of the sun during the longest
night of winter is called the Winter
Solstice.
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Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is an African American celebration of
goodness of life. It celebrates the African
American heritage, pride, community, and culture.
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Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration. It is called
the Festival of Lights and recalls the
rededication of the temple of Jerusalem after the
victory of the Maccabees.
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Christmas
Christmas is a Christian holiday that
commemorates the birth Of Jesus. Gifts are
exchanged and small children look forward to a
visit from Santa Claus.