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- Hanukkah began the evening of Dec. 16 and will end the evening of Dec. 24. Since the 1960s, Lutherans have studied the history of Jewish-Christian relations to end misinterpretations of Judaism and identify areas of potential cooperation.
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- The Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramalleh, two congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, recently held their annual Christmas bazaars featuring handmade items and food.
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- Members of Zion Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Elgin, Ill., re-enact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Las Posadas. A 400-year-old Mexican tradition, “Las Posadas” means “the inns,” as there was no room in the inn for Mary and Joseph the night Jesus was born.
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- Students at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, sing at a Kwanzaa celebration. Luther is one of 26 ELCA colleges and universities. Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that celebrates family, community and culture.
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- A Kwanzaa celebrant fills the Unity cup at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
A variety of multinational festivals and holidays are celebrated around the world, whether within particular religions, cultures or otherwise. December offers a great opportunity for sharing such festivals and holidays including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Las Posadas.
