Christmas Discussion Prompts For Your Children

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated by people all over the world and many but not all religions. While it originated as a celebration of the birth of Christ, in the Western World it is probably equally famous for the man in the red suit. From the beginning of November, shops fill with Christmas gifts, high streets are decorated and we are bombarded with Christmas television programmes and music. It is the same in Spider Webdon.

What are your Christmas traditions?

Traditions differ across cultures and even families. But everything started somewhere. For some Christmas trees are erected at the beginning of Advent, and for others, on Christmas Eve. The tradition of putting up trees started in Germany, and became popular in in England in 1841 when Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, brought a Christmas tree over from Germany and put it up in Windsor Castle.

So probe what are the differences in traditions across cultures and families, and ask children why they think this is? Then probe the provenance of those traditions?

What are your favourite things about Christmas?

For children, the most likely answer may well be the receiving of presents, the putting up of the Christmas tree or visit to see Santa Claus. Or perhaps participating in the school nativity play or writing or singing carols? Generate a long list of views and vote on what’s favourite.

But as well as receiving Christmas is also a time of giving. For every receiver there is also a giver. As well as giving presents, many also give to charities, perhaps indirectly via cards or directly via donations, and to those in need such as those in shelters or experiencing homelessness.

So probe awareness of the feelings of others at this time too. In Spid the Spider Helps Out at Spidmas he is initially ignorant of the feelings of what he thinks is a burglar up his chimney. Though his views change as he gets to know the burglar.

Do you celebrate on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

In the UK, the main celebration is the Christmas Day meal, though in Germany this takes place on Christmas Eve, when presents are also given. Orthodox Christians also celebrate Christmas in January on 6-7 January.

So why do some people celebrate in December and some in January? The reason is due to different calendars, the Gregory vs Julian calendars.

Why do some people not celebrate Christmas but other festivals?

Religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism don’t recognise Christmas and Easter as they are ancient Christian festivals. However they do celebrate other festivals. Here are the major festivals celebrated in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, and the reasons behind them:

Islam

Muslim festivals follow the lunar Islamic calendar, so their dates change yearly on the Gregorian calendar.

Festival	Significance
Ramadan	This is a holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It commemorates the time when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Fasting during daylight hours is a way to purify the soul, practice self-discipline, and develop compassion for the hungry and people on low income.
Eid al-Fitr	Meaning “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” this joyous three-day festival marks the conclusion of Ramadan. Muslims gather for special prayers, wear new clothes, exchange gifts, and share festive meals with family and friends. A mandatory charity donation (Zakat-ul-Fitr) is made to people with low income.
Eid al-Adha	Known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” it is the second major Islamic holiday and falls during the month of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. It honors the Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God (Allah). Muslims around the world remember this trial by ritually sacrificing an animal and sharing the meat among family, friends, and people with low income.

Hinduism

Hinduism features many colorful festivals throughout the year, often celebrating the triumph of good over evil or the birth of deities.

Festival	Significance
Diwali	The “Festival of Lights” is one of the most prominent Hindu festivals. It typically lasts five days and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The most common story is the return of Lord Rama and his wife Sita to their kingdom after defeating the demon Ravana. Homes are decorated with diya lamps and rangoli patterns to welcome the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, in the hope of a prosperous new year.
Holi	Known as the “Festival of Colors,” Holi marks the arrival of spring. It is a lively celebration where people throw colored powders and water at each other, forgetting social status differences and promoting camaraderie. It also celebrates the victory of devotion (Prahlad) over the demoness Holika.
Ganesh Chaturthi	This 11-day festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of new beginnings, success, and wisdom. Large clay idols of Ganesha are made, worshipped in homes and public spaces, and then immersed in water on the final day.

Buddhism

Buddhist festivals, many of which follow the lunar calendar and vary by tradition and country, focus on the life and teachings of the Buddha.

Festival	Significance
Vesak	Also known as Buddha Day, this is the most significant Buddhist festival. It commemorates the three major events in the Buddha’s life: his *birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death (Parinirvana)*. Celebrations often involve decorating temples with lanterns, making offerings to monks, meditating, and reflecting on the Buddha’s teachings.
Dharma Day	Celebrated on the full moon in July, this festival honors the Buddha’s first teachings (the Dharma) after his enlightenment, which began the Sangha (Buddhist community). It is a time for reflection on the importance of the teachings in one’s life.
Parinirvana Day	A more solemn, reflective festival, usually observed in February, that commemorates the day the Buddha achieved *final nibbana* (nirvana)** and passed away from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). Buddhists visit temples, meditate, and reflect on their own mortality and the impermanence of life (anicca).

Judaism

Jewish festivals are determined by the lunisolar Hebrew calendar and generally begin at sunset the evening before the date shown.

Festival	Significance
*Passover (Pesach)*	This eight-day festival commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. A central ritual is the Seder meal, held at home at the beginning of the festival, during which the story of their deliverance is retold. Unleavened bread (matzah) is eaten throughout the festival to remember that the Israelites left Egypt in such haste that their bread did not have time to rise.
Rosh Hashanah	The Jewish New Year is a time of reflection, prayer, and repentance. It marks the beginning of a ten-day period known as the Days of Awe, which culminates in Yom Kippur. It is a time for Jews to look back at their actions over the past year and plan positive changes for the new one.
Yom Kippur	This “Day of Atonement” is the holiest day of the Jewish year. Observant Jews typically fast for a full 25 hours, confess their sins, and pray for God’s forgiveness, aiming to cleanse their souls and start the new year with a clean slate.
Hanukkah	Known as the “Festival of Lights,” this eight-day festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt. It celebrates a miracle where a small amount of oil, enough for just one day, miraculously burned for eight days. Jews light a nine-branched candelabrum (menorah) and exchange gifts.