Religious Observances
Sunday, December 29, 2024
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Winter Solstice. Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year, and is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year’s beginning or the end. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It’s a time of renewal and hope.
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Celebrates the Jewish rebellion against the Greeks and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. Celebrated by lighting candles each night, singing special songs, reciting prayers, eating foods fried in oil, playing the dreidel game, and giving Chanukah gelt. Begins at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown of the last day.
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Kwanzaa is an annual seven-day African-American and pan-African holiday celebration that takes place from December 26 to January 1. For seven days, a principle (Nguzo Saba) is reflected upon such as unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Monday, December 30, 2024
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Winter Solstice. Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year, and is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year’s beginning or the end. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It’s a time of renewal and hope.
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Celebrates the Jewish rebellion against the Greeks and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. Celebrated by lighting candles each night, singing special songs, reciting prayers, eating foods fried in oil, playing the dreidel game, and giving Chanukah gelt. Begins at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown of the last day.
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Kwanzaa is an annual seven-day African-American and pan-African holiday celebration that takes place from December 26 to January 1. For seven days, a principle (Nguzo Saba) is reflected upon such as unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
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At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First Day of Sharaf (Honour) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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Winter Solstice. Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year, and is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year’s beginning or the end. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It’s a time of renewal and hope.
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Celebrates the Jewish rebellion against the Greeks and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. Celebrated by lighting candles each night, singing special songs, reciting prayers, eating foods fried in oil, playing the dreidel game, and giving Chanukah gelt. Begins at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown of the last day.
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Kwanzaa is an annual seven-day African-American and pan-African holiday celebration that takes place from December 26 to January 1. For seven days, a principle (Nguzo Saba) is reflected upon such as unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
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Winter Solstice. Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year, and is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year’s beginning or the end. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It’s a time of renewal and hope.
-
Celebrates the Jewish rebellion against the Greeks and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. Celebrated by lighting candles each night, singing special songs, reciting prayers, eating foods fried in oil, playing the dreidel game, and giving Chanukah gelt. Begins at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown of the last day.
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Kwanzaa is an annual seven-day African-American and pan-African holiday celebration that takes place from December 26 to January 1. For seven days, a principle (Nguzo Saba) is reflected upon such as unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
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Celebrates the Jewish rebellion against the Greeks and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. Celebrated by lighting candles each night, singing special songs, reciting prayers, eating foods fried in oil, playing the dreidel game, and giving Chanukah gelt. Begins at sundown of the first day and ends at sundown of the last day.
Monday, January 6, 2025
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A celebration of the biblical event of the Magi visiting the Christ child and bearing gifts to him and his family. It is usually celebrated with a large feast.
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Commemoration of the Guru Gobind Singh, born in 1666, who was the tenth Sikh guru.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
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Because the Eastern Orthodox use the Julian Calendar and the Western churches use the Gregorian Calendar, Eastern Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7 in the Gregorian (Western) calendar. Christians believe the conception and birth of Jesus is how the Son of God became a human.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
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Also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. Celebrated with a festival for families, decorating buildings with lucky red items, partaking in cultural activities, eating certain "lucky" foods, setting off firecrackers, and praying.
Saturday, February 1, 2025
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Wiccans observing Brigid, or Imbolc, clean and organize their living environments, as well as their minds and hearts, in preparation for the upcoming season of growth (spring). It’s a time to shake off the doldrums of winter and light the fires of creativity and inspiration. Some employees may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.