Happy New Year!

~ Happy New Year! Dec. 31st ~ January 1st


Baha`i ~ December 30th ~ Sharaf
The beginning of the sixteenth month of the Bahá’í year; its name means “honor.”

African-American Heritage ~ December 26th ~ January 1st ~ Kawanzaa
A seven-day celebration honoring African American heritage and its continued vitality.
“Kwanzaa” means “first fruits (of the harvest)” in Swahili. Each day of Kwanzaa is tied to one of the holiday's seven principles: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani).

Judaism ~ December 26th ~ January 2nd ~ Hanukkah
Jewish Festival of Lights. It commemorates the Maccabean recapture and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 b.c.e. Special readings and praise songs focus on liberty and freedom.
The eight candle Menorah is lit each night.
Celebrate with us here!

Zoroastrianism Dec. 31st through January 4
~ Ghambar Maidyarem
A celebration for the creation of animals, and a time for the equitable sharing of food with others.

Christianity ~ January 5th ~ 12th Night
Christian observance of the close of Christmastide and prelude to Epiphany which begins the next day.

Christianity ~ January 6th ~ Epiphany
Western Christianity celebrates the 3 Kings bringing gifts to baby Jesus.

Christianity ~ January 12th ~ Baptism of the Lord Jesus
Christian commemoration of the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus with baptism in th river Jordan, church honored on the 1st Sunday after the 6th, Epiphany.

Sikh ~ January 13th ~ Maghi
Sikh commemoration of a battle in which forty Sikhs died for Guru Gobindh Singh Ji.

Hindu ~ January 14th ~ Pongal
A harvest festival thanking the Sun God for the agricultural abundance.

Buddhist ~ January 14th ~ Mahayana New Year
Celebrates the Buddhist New Year in Mahayana traditions.

Baha`i ~ January 18th ~ Sultán
The beginning of the seventeenth month of the Bahá’í year; its name means “sovereignty.”
Christianity ~ January 18th-25th ~ Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Bahai ~ January 19th ~ World Religion Day
Begun in 1950 by the Bahai people to build awareness and unity

Islam ~ January 25th ~ Maba'ath
The Shia observance is based on the beginning of the Holy Prophet’s mission of propagating the message of Almighty Allah.

Chinese New Year January 29
~ Year of the Wood Snake~
Begins a sixteen Day Festival for Chinese people of all religions; the first seven days are public holidays. Family reunions with thanksgiving and remembrance of departed relatives take place. Traditionally a religious ceremony honors Heaven and Earth. Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. The energy and focus of Snake is transformation and spiritual growth.