HANUKKAH AND KWANZAA

During this holiday season, most of the attention goes to the preparation for and the anticipation of Christmas, one of the holiest days of the Christian year. But there are some other important religious observances that are occurring at the same time this year.

Hanukkah, the Jewish festival that celebrates the commemoration of the re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem after the Macabees' victory over the Syrians, started Sunday evening and continues for eight days. This festival of lights recalls the miracle of an oil lamp that was lit in the temple with enough oil for one day, but the flame lasted eight days. Hanukkah also celebrates the religious freedom that came with a return to the temple. During the week, candles on a menorah are lit, and foods fried in oil are eaten.

Kwanzaa is another festival of the season. This seven-day celebration by blacks is being observed in Cape Girardeau starting Dec. 26. The festival is based on African harvest traditions and recalls the roots of America's blacks.

Whatever the occasion, celebrating the triumphs of historic peoples adds to the richness and fullness of human achievement, both in secular and sacred matters.