FYI is a way to gather information about various topics kids as well as adults are often curious about. The articles will appear periodically and will sometimes include a participation question? Participants will be eligable for a draw to choose something from our KIDS KORNER TREASURE BOX.
We welcome our young readers or site-owners who would like to share something you thing our young minds would find interesting to send your information to me at stonewalacres@gmail.com
Deb
HOLIDAY FUN FACTS
WIN A PARTICIPATION PRIZE!
Hanukkah and Christmas are two popular holidays that are celebrated at this time of year. Here are some fun facts about both of them that you can share with your family and friends. At the end of each article there are scrambled letters to five words from each holiday. Put the letters in order to form the words and send them to me at stonewalacres@gmail.com to have your name put in a draw to win a prize. The deadline for the draw is December 24th. Please note that the contest is available to the children of Stonewall site-owners. (This includes nieces, nephews and grandchildren.)
Happy Holidays!
Deb
WHAT IS HANUKKAH?
Hanukkah is an 8 night long celebration. Celebrated by Jewish people all around the world. It is celebrated on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Hanukkah can begin anywhere from late November through December.
This year Hanukkah is celebrated from December 2nd to 10th.
WHAT DOES HANUKKAH CELEBRATE?
In the year 167 BCE Antiochus Epiphanes a Seleucid King of the Hellenistic Syrian Empire sent his soldiers into Jerusalem and took over the Jewish Temple. Antiochus also outlawed Judaism. The sacred temple was set up to worship Greek Good and was renamed after the Greek God Zeus.
On the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev the Jewish people led by the Maccabees family revolted and took back their temple known as the Maccabean Revolt. They cleansed the Temple and re-dedicated it. They brought back Jewish worship and named Jonathan Apphus as high priest. Hanukkah is the celebration of winning the war against the Greeks and getting back their temple.
Hanukkah was said to last 8 days parallel to the 8-day festival of Sukkot, however legend says that when the Jewish people took back their temple there was a small jar of oil that they lit for light. The small jar had enough oil to stay lit for one night but a miracle happened and it stayed lit for 8 nights.
MENORAH
A menorah is a special candelabrum that hold nine candles.
Candles are placed on the menorah from right to left and lit left to right.
Menorahs were originally kept outside, but are now usually kept in front of a window.
The 8 candles represent each night of Hanukkah.
The 9th candle is called the Shamash also known as the “attendant”, “Servant” or “helper “candle.
The Shamash is usually in the middle and set a little bit higher than the other candles. It is used to light the other candles.
WHAT IS A DREIDEL?
Dreidel is Yiddish for “spinning Top”
A dreidel is a pointed 4-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side
Nun – Yiddish for nisht or Nothing
Shin- Yiddish for shtel or put in
Hey – Yiddish for halb or half
Gimmel – Yiddish for gantz or everything
Playing the dreidel game is a popular activity for Hanukkah
Here is how you play
Each player gets an equal number of tokens (coins, candy etc..). 10 or tokens is best.
To start each player puts one of their tokens in the pot (the middle of the playing area)
On your turn, you spin the dreidel
If the driedel lands on nun, you get nothing
When it lands on Shin, you put in one token
If the driedel lands on hey, you get half the pot
If it lands on gimmel, you get the whole pot.
After everyone has a chance to spin the dreidel a new round begins and everyone places a new token into the pot. You are out of the game when you have no more tokens. The winner of the game is the last player standing.
HANUKKAH FACTS
Hanukkah is Hebrew for “to dedicate.”
It can be spelled many ways including Chanukah or Chanukkah.
Some people call it the Festival of Lights or Festival of Dedication.
Gift giving wasn’t originally part of the holiday, but children were given gelt (chocolate coins) money as incentive for studying the Torah. Gifts were added because the holiday is close to Christmas.
Many traditional foods served on Hanukkah are fried in oil to symbolize the miracle of the oil burning for 8 nights.
Traditional Hanukkah foods include: potato pancakes called latkes, noodle or potato casserole called kugel, gelt (chocolate coins), jelly doughnuts called sufaniyot
Fun Fact – 17.5 million donuts are eaten in Israel during Hanukkah
PARTICIPATION ACTIVITY: Unscramble the words below and send them in to win a prize.
1. TKAASL
2. ELRDIDE
3. RENHMOA
4. KCHHKNAAU
5. HSYIDID
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
Amazing Christmas Facts for Children
1. The meaning of Christmas
Christmas is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus. The 25th day of December was chosen to mark His birthday by the Roman Catholic Church years after His death.
2. Christmas Trees
The first known instances of using Christmas trees were in 16th century Germany. Instead of the glitzy decorations we see on them today, they were decorated with fruits and nuts. These trees are evergreen and are also known as yule trees.
3. Xmas
Ever wondered why Christmas is also known as Xmas? The X comes from the ancient Greek language where X refers to Christ. So, Xmas simply means Christmas.
4. Santa Claus
One of the most interesting aspects of Christmas, especially for children, is Santa Claus. Children want to catch Santa Claus bringing them presents. The character is based on St. Nicholas who loved children and also enjoyed giving gifts to children secretly.
5. Santa Claus’ Clothes
Did you know that Santa initially wore clothes that were in green, purple or even blue? For many years, this was the common theme for the jolly old man at the North Pole. However, Coca Cola decided to dress him up in colours that match their brand and now he is forever in red clothes!
6. Santa’s Reindeer
Everyone has heard of Rudolph the red nose reindeer. But it would be impossible for Rudolph to pull Santa’s sled alone since it is filled to the brim with gifts for every good child in the world. This is why there are eight other reindeer to help him. They are called Cupid, Dancer, Vixen, Donner, Comet, Dasher, Prancer, and Blixen.
7. Gifts for Baby Jesus
So what gifts did baby Jesus get? Upon his birth, there shone a bright star in the sky. Three kings followed this star and made a long journey to the birthplace of Jesus. They bore with them gifts of gold, frankincense (aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes), and oils.
8. Christmas Wreath
The Christmas wreath is representative of the crown of thorns Jesus is usually seen with. Eventually, the colours of Christmas – red, green, and gold – were added. Red is said to represent the blood of Jesus, green is supposed to symbolize life, and gold stands for royalty and light.
9. Carolling
Have you ever wondered why groups of people go to door to door singing carols? The tradition is based on the English custom of wassailing which was a tradition to toast to someone’s good health and fortune. St. Francis of Assisi took this tradition and converted it to the modern form of carolling.
10. Gifts for Santa
We all know that Santa comes bearing gifts to all children as long as they have been good through the year. But did you know that you can also give gifts to Santa? While the jolly old man does not want traditional gifts, he is a bit partial to cookies and milk to keep him fortified during his trip around the world.
11. Christmas Cake
One of the best parts of Christmas is the bounty of Christmas cake available everywhere. These cakes are also known as plum cakes but there are, in fact, no plums in the cake! Raisins were known as plums in medieval times and the ingredients were stirred in an East to West direction similar to that of the journey of the three wise men.
12. Elves
One of the reasons Santa can make his marathon runs through the day is due to the help of his trusted elven workforce. The merry spirit of Christmas is celebrated because of these cheerful workers and their commitment to the kids of the world.
13. Mistletoe
A tradition that goes back centuries, did you know that the mistletoe is supposed to be a symbol of love, laughter and compassion? The tradition of a kiss under the mistletoe is supposed to a way of asking for the blessings of the spirits of Christmas through the mistletoe.
14. Christmas Stockings
The tradition of nailing Christmas stockings near a fireplace is to help Santa have a place to stuff those candies and goodies for all those bright and cheerful children of the world! It is also an endless supply of socks for our bright red bringer of merriment.
15. Christmas Sweaters
No Christmas is complete without adorable Christmas sweaters. Did you know that a large part of the world has contests like the best Christmas sweater competition? This tradition not only makes your child look adorable but also leaves long-lasting memories to laugh about and cherish for years to come.
16. Lumps of Coal
Did you know that Santa does not simply ignore the children who have been bad through the year? He puts pieces of coal into the child’s stocking instead of gifts! This tradition started in Italy. Yet another important reason for children to be good through the year and do as many good deeds as they can!
17. Christmas Cards
One of the most fun rituals of Christmas is the exchange of Christmas cards. You can choose to make your own cards with embellishments that you can go select yourself. Write a heartfelt message to the person you want to wish and don’t forget to wish them good fortune.
18. Christmas Gifts
The most joyous part of Christmas is the exchange of gifts. You can either save up through the year to buy your friends and family gifts or you can make the gifts yourself. Ask an adult for help with the wrapping and add messages to your loved ones.
19. 12 Days of Christmas
Have you ever wondered why the holidays are also referred to as the 12 days of Christmas? Legend has it that the three kings took twelve days to travel to the birthplace of baby Jesus.
20. Biggest Christmas Gift
Do you know which is the biggest Christmas gift ever presented? The Statue of Liberty was gifted by France to the USA as a Christmas gift in 1886.
PARTICIPATION ACTIVITY: Unscramble the words below and send them in to win a prize.
GOSKNICT
ETTEMOLSI
HONSLCAI TS.
CLAO
HWRATE
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
WHAT MAKES BEES BUZZ?
