LaKresha

A festival that I think would be great to celebrate is the Festival of Lights: Christmas in Egypt. This festival, held on January 6^th and 7^th, was started by Egyptian Christians but now celebrated all over the world. The Festival of Lights rejoices Mary's birth of Jesus, our Savior.

 The main event that happens is when churches decorate with special lamps and candles. The candles represent the ones Joseph used to protect Jesus. On the 6^th night, Coptic Christians goes to the church at midnight to eat dinner. On the morning of the 7^th, gifts are exchanged and people visit each other.

For four weeks, an Advent occurs, which is when a candle is lit each week. In Egypt, the Advent lasts for forty-five days and people fast. At the end of Advent, the big celebration begins. The Christmas in Egypt website explains

"Much of the Christmas celebration actually begins in the last week leading up to Christmas. This is when much of the cooking takes place, and like in the west, homes are decorated with lights and Christmas trees."

During that time everyone buys new clothing to wear to the Christmas Eve church service.  On Christmas morning, people visit friends and neighbors and take them a gift of shortbread, called "Kaik".  I really would enjoy the fellowship and festivities.

I think that if we hold this festival, students will have a different outlook on the birth of Christ. I also would recommend having this festival because as said on Festival of Lights Around the World website,

"The diversity in many classrooms provides a starting point for children to begin to understand and value the many distinct cultures of the world."  

Do you think you would enjoy celebrating the Festival of Lights: Christmas in Egypt?

Image from ClassroomClipArt