Let’s Make a Toast for the Holidays!

It’s that time of the year again – snowflakes falling, crisp breeze, warm drinks, winter scarves and fuzzy socks. We hope that however you’re celebrating your holiday season this year, it’s the best one so far. Let’s go back to origins of these wonderful holidays that bring us joy around this time of year:

Ramadan
This holiday does not always fall around December because it follows the lunar calendar, a factor which pushes it forward by 11 days every year. It is most often practiced by Muslims and acknowledges the month where Prophet Muhammad received the ideals and revelations that the Quran is centered around. We chose to include this holiday because it can very well fall on a December, and it symbolizes a time of healing, reflecting, enlightening and growth for the millions who celebrate it. Along with fasting, charity and spreading kindness is an enormous factor of this holiday as well. Ramadan usually lasts for an entire month and is celebrated by refraining from bad behavior – whether it’s gossiping, thinking negatively, cursing, fighting, etc. It is one of the most important Muslim holidays and is a period of grace and cleansing.

Hanukkah
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates a miraculous supply of oil of the temple that followed after a proud military victory. It begins on the 25 Kislev on the Jewish calendar, so it may fall on different dates around the season. This holiday lasts for eight days and is represented by the Hanukkah menorah. During this period, people celebrate and spiritually explore the rights of religious liberty, rededication or reminder of faith, the lessons of balance and trust in God. This is a huge time to celebrate the end of the year. The eight days are surrounded with fun with family and friends, eating holiday treats, giving gifts and playing the drediel game.

Christmas
Unlike the other holidays, this one follows the solar calendar and is always observed on the 25^th of December, observing the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and the events surrounding his birth. This is probably the most dominant holiday that is celebrated throughout the United States and consists of gift giving, decorating a Christmas tree, light hanging and feasting. Throughout the years of celebration, the tale of Santa Claus has also become an iconic part of this holiday’s celebration. This legend was inspired by a Greek Christian figure by the name of Saint Nicolas who was known for his extreme generosity to the poor. This day is summarized by its spirit of giving, hence, gifting and spreading kindness around the holiday.

There are probably countless other holidays that are celebrated during this time of the year as we wave good bye to 2015, who quite honestly flew past us. Whether you are celebrating or not at all, let this season be a time of warmth, enjoyment, renewal and kindness this year. Happy holidays to you!

Love,

The MyOrganicSleep Team