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Christmas time, holiday season, Yuletide, festivities, winter or summer holidays... Depending on where you are in the world, the period between late November and early January can be known by various names. Throughout history, multiple celebrations have taken place during this time of the year. Layouts of late Neolithic archaeological sites indicate that the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere was a special moment for some cultures. In ancient Rome, the Saturnalia festival honored the god of time with celebrations that lasted multiple days in December. Since the 19th and 20th centuries, as the economic impact involving the lead-up to Christmas Day grew in North America and Europe, the term "Christmas season" became known as a peak season for the retail sector and began to also encompass the days right before and after 25 December. Today, this holiday season begins in late November and runs until early January, including Advent, Christmas, New Year's Day, Hannukah, Yule, Kwanzaa, and more celebrations. In some traditions, Candlemas is the official end of the festivities, taking place on 2 February. Learn more about this period ➡️ https://w.wiki/67U4

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Today marks the Summer Solstice here in the Southern Hemisphere, known as Litha in some traditions, while the Northern Hemisphere is celebrating the Winter Solstice, or Yule. It’s a time of dualities—longest day for some, longest night for others—and it’s fascinating how different cultures, traditions, and beliefs around the world recognize this point in the solar calendar. Working in global strategy allowed me amazing opportunities to better understand the people, culture and business drivers of so many amazing places around the world and acknowledging the Solar Calendar is my secular way to celebrate and ritualize moments throughout the year in way that transcends culture and has had common meaning for us all for millennia. There’s something grounding about aligning these reflections with nature’s cycles, even in a small way. For me in Australia - Litha (Summer Solstice) is a moment to pause and reflect, taking a quiet inventory of the year so far—what’s grown, what’s shifted, and what might need to be rebalanced as the days begin to shorten. For friends around the world - this time of year might be about celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or simply enjoying the season’s rhythms without attaching meaning to the calendar. Regardless of how—or if—you mark this time, I think it’s a good opportunity to step back, take stock, and maybe just breathe a little. Happy year end and holiday to all! I’m hoping the new year brings exciting opportunities and positive growth. Please enjoy a pic of the Summer Solstice sunrise in Australia this morning, just moments before it cleared the horizon. I’ve also left some thoughts here on how ritual might bring value to your life even if you don’t have a traditional faith. https://lnkd.in/g2ispN_9

Winter holidays are approaching, and my students use their essays to share their experiences, traditions, and memories. Our goal is to create a unique personal story that stands out and shines in its own individual way. The moment I mention the word “unique,” I can see a glimpse of confusion in my students’s eyes, “There is nothing special in how we celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, or New Year’s.” “There is,” I insist and never fail to demonstrate that. In times of speed and the downpour of information, young minds need help to learn the skills of observation and description. Little by little, snowmen in red hats and lights like candy canes and French bulldogs wrapped in tissue paper make their way to the paper or, which is more likely, a blank Google document. Together, we eliminate commonly used generalizations and substitute them with visually striking details. Using verbal associations and synonyms, we create invisible connections that hold the fabric of the written passage. By doing so, we observe the magic of turning “nothing into something,” we learn to weave beautiful texts patiently, and, most importantly, we preserve special moments and make them timeless.

While celebrating these year-end holidays, like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or reaching the end of 2024 with New Year's Eve, we encourage you to celebrate what matters most to you however is meaningful and special to you. It's time to stretch those creativity muscles we've been strengthening the past few years... 𝗜𝗳 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲. There are likely areas you'll be okay compromising, but be honest about what matters most to you. Cherish each moment as none are guaranteed. December is notorious for being difficult, but you might be carrying even more weight. Maybe you don't have family nearby. Maybe you don't want to be with the family you do have. Maybe you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Perhaps being with others is simply too draining. Trust your gut and know you are enough as-is. However you choose to celebrate is excellent and will be worth the effort. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝗱, 𝗺𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲; 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝟭,𝟰𝟰𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲. Be honest about what you need and seek out the experiences you want to have in celebrating whatever is meaningful or memorable to you. #Christmas #Kwanzaa #Hanukkah #productivity #celebration #time #organized #tradition #MakeEveryMinuteMatter #PersonalizedProductivity #OrganizeForSuccess

Celebrating Light and Life As the seasons of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Laylat al-Qadr unfold, it’s hard not to marvel at the shared essence of these traditions: a celebration of light, connection, and reflection. What fascinates me most is the diversity in how these traditions are expressed— especially Christmas, which has so many local flavours. In some countries, it’s celebrated on December 24th, in others on the 25th, or even as late as January 6th. Growing up, the Christkind brought our presents. You can imagine my confusion when Hollywood movies introduced me to Santa Claus — whose surname is Christkindl! These differences sometimes lead us to debate what’s “proper” or “authentic.” Is it turkey or carp? Santa or the Christkind? Midnight Mass or a cosy family dinner? But if we step back, we see the heart of these celebrations isn’t about how we observe them — it’s about why. The Essence of the Season No matter the tradition or the date, these celebrations are an opportunity to: - Welcome the Light: Whether it’s the candles of Hanukkah, the star of Bethlehem, or the inner light of reflection during Laylat al-Qadr, these rituals remind us of hope and renewal, even in the darkest times. - Strengthen Connections: Family, friends, and the community come together during these moments—not for perfection but for presence. - Reflect and Renew: These traditions invite us to pause and reconnect with what matters most: gratitude, generosity, and grace. My Gentle Reminder I can easily get caught up in the specifics — who brings the presents, what to cook, or whether traditions are observed “correctly.” But let’s not forget the deeper purpose: to celebrate the light, the spirit, and the connections that unite us all. So, whether you’re lighting candles, sharing meals, or exchanging gifts, may this season bring you a moment to breathe, reflect, and feel the warmth of connection—however it finds you. Happy Christmas! #awareness #connection #presence #spirit #holidays #rituals #traditions #celebration #light #christmas

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🎄 What makes Christmas magical for you? ✨ For me, Christmas has always been about creating warmth and light during the darkest time of the year. It’s a season of connection—gathering with family and friends, sharing laughter, exchanging thoughtful gifts, and filling our homes with twinkling lights and greenery. There’s something timeless about bringing a tree indoors, lighting up the cold nights, and celebrating the beauty of the season with the people who matter most. Did you know many of our favorite Christmas traditions have fascinating origins? The Christmas tree, for example, dates back to ancient cultures that used evergreens to symbolize life and resilience in winter. Wreaths, with their circular shape, have long been a symbol of eternity and renewal. Even the lights we string on our trees began with candles, representing hope and brightness in the darkness. These traditions have evolved, but the spirit behind them—finding joy and connection—remains timeless. 🌟 Whether today is a day of celebration, a quiet pause to reflect on the year, or just another Wednesday, I hope it brings you moments of peace, warmth, and joy. Take a moment to savor a good meal, appreciate the little lights around you, and think about the possibilities the new year might hold. 💬 What’s one tradition or moment you treasure during this season? Let me know in the comments! #Christmas2024 #HolidaySeason #LightInTheDarkness #Gratitude #Reflection #Connection

It's the most wonderful time of the year. And for once, the most wonderful day. Christmas and Hanukkah are coming. On the same date. This year, Judaism's eight-day Festival of Lights begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 25, aka Christmas Day. It's a rarity, the first time that particular holiday conjunction has occurred in almost two decades. For that, you can thank the fact that the two faiths follow different calendars, one based on the sun's travels, the other also incorporating cycles of the moon. Throw in the occasional "Jewish Leap Year" and you get plenty of scheduling oddities, with Hanukkah skittering around like a well-spun dreidel. In just over a century, it's occurred just four times. The first night of Hanukkah last fell on Christmas Day in 2005. Before that, the overlap occurred in 1959 and 1921. It will happen next in 2035 and then not until 2054. All that variation is unsurprising. Hanukkah, which is observed by lighting a menorah, reciting special prayers and eating holiday treats, can occur as early as Thanksgiving or as late as Christmas. Taken from the thread entitled, “Hanukkah starts on Christmas Day this year. How often does that happen?” @ https://lnkd.in/eBeNRm8Y

🎉 This holiday season, let’s pause to reflect on the incredible diversity of celebrations happening in December. Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ōmisoka, or other cherished holidays, each holds deep meaning for the people who observe them. Many of us may be unaware of the significance of some of these traditions—not out of disregard, but simply because they’re not part of our own experiences. This is a reminder of the richness within our communities and organizations. Just as these holidays represent different ways of thinking, feeling, and connecting, the same is true for the people around us. 💬 Reflection: How often do we consider the experiences and values that might be meaningful to our colleagues, friends, or neighbors? Taking time to learn about others’ perspectives—whether it’s the story of Hanukkah’s miracle, the principles of Kwanzaa, or the symbolism of Ōmisoka—helps us foster empathy and connection. As we navigate this season, let’s carry this awareness into our daily interactions. By recognizing and valuing these differences, we create a stronger, more inclusive environment for everyone. 🌟 What holiday or tradition have you learned about this year that gave you a new perspective? Share below! #EquityMattersConsulting 🌐 Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gDXfbmCy