Teacher’s notes: The Festive Season
Baha’i:	Birth of Baha’u’llah
2002		12 November
On this day Baha’I commemorate the birth of Baha’u’llah in 1817.  Baha’u’llah is the founder of the Baha’i faith and is known to his followers as the ‘Messenger of God for this age’.
Buddhism:	Bodhi Day
2002		8 December
In the Northern or Mahayana tradition, Bodhi Day celebrates Buddha’s Enlightenment, the second most important event in Buddha’s life.
Christianity:	Christmas
2002		25 December
On Christmas Day, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the most widely celebrated Christian festival. Families gather to attend church services, sing carols, exchange gifts and enjoy special Christmas food.
Hinduism:	Diwali
2002		4 November
Diwali (Festival of Lights) lasts for five days. People use traditional clay lamps to light their houses. Celebrations include fireworks, feasting exchanging sweets and gifts with family and friends and whitewashing houses. Religious stories about Diwali vary across India’s regions. The day after Diwali is the beginning of the Hindu New year. 
Islam:	Eid ul-fitr
2002		6 December	Eid ul-fitr (Feast of Fast Breaking) is a three day celebration to mark the end of Ramadan. The date of Eid ul-Fitr varies according to the sighting of the new moon. It is celebrated by family and friends gathering together for prayer, meals and the exchanging of gifts.
Judaism:	Hanukkah
2002		30 November- 7 December
This is an annual Jewish holiday to celebrate the Festival of Lights. The eight candle Menorah is lighted as a symbol to commemorate the miracle of the oil lamp which burned for eight days. Chanukah commemorates the victory of the Macabees over the Syrians some 2,300 years ago when the Macabees were ordered to renounce their religion. After three years of fighting the Macabees drove the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed and rededicated the temple in Jerusalem.
Sikhism:	Guru Nanak’s birthday
2002		19 November
Followers of Sikhism celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak (1469), the founder of the Sikh faith. Guru Nanak was the first of ten Gurus, with the divine spirit being passed from one Guru to the next, concluding with the Guru Gobind Singh in 1708. The Sanskrit word ‘Guru’ means teacher, honoured person, religious person or saint. In Sikhism it has a very specific meaning- the descent of divine guidance to mankind provided through the ten Enlightened Masters. 
Our Country Our Culture Multicultural Calendar 2002
Information for Teachers and Students
Multicultural Programs Unit, NSW Department of Education and Training