Holiday 101: How Jesus’ parents met, the revolt that sparked Hanukkah, and the tastiest log ‘yule’ ever eat.

Plus: holiday light displays around the world [TEST YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE KNOWLEGDE]( [VIEW ONLINE]( [TEST YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE KNOWLEGDE]( [National Geographic]( THE COMPASS Discover the lesser-known origins of cherished holiday traditions, including the [revolt that started Hanukkah]( how[Kwanzaa caught on in the 80s]( and why we celebrate Christmas with [edible logs]( and [treat-filled calendars](. Plus, find out how [Jesus' parents]( got together and test your [Christmas tree knowledge]( with a fun quiz. Happy Holidays from National Geographic! [A small chapel decorated for the season of Advent.]( PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER GERCKE. PICTURE ALLIANCE/GETTY [What is Advent—and why do we mark it with treat-filled calendars?]( The holiday, which gets its name from the Latin word for arrival, serves as a countdown to Christmas when Christians honor the birth of Jesus Christ. [ADVENT TREATS]( [A fresh Yule log on a holiday table]( PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT ABBOTT SENGSTACKE, GETTY IMAGES [Kwanzaa celebrates African-American heritage. Here’s how it came to be—and what it means today.]( Since its founding in 1966, the weeklong holiday has been observed with candle lighting ceremonies, feasts, and reflections on past struggles and future hopes. [IT'S KWANZAA TIME]( GOOD READS 1. [Why historians disagree about the origins of Boxing Day]( 2. [These masked singers continue an Irish Christmas tradition]( 3. [Everything you wanted to know about Christmas traditions]( [Why yule log has become a Christmas favorite]( Also known as a bûche de Noël, this festive favorite was inspired by a centuries-old Christmas tradition and popularised by the pâtissiers of Paris. [YULE LOG]( [An illustration depicting the birth of Jesus Christ]( PAINTING VIA ART IMAGES, GETTY IMAGES [How did Jesus' parents become a couple? Here’s what biblical scholars say.]( The story of Jesus' birth is oft told, but Mary and Joseph's unconventional courtship can also be found in the history of ancient Palestine. [STORIES WORTH TELLING]( [An illustration of an elegantly decorated Christmas Tree]( PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK THIESSEN One of these facts about Christmas trees isn't real. Can you figure out which one? Click to see if you're right. A. [Canada is believed to be the home of the first Christmas tree.]( B. [In Greece, people once decorated Christmas boats rather than trees>]( C. [Pooping logs are a tradition for children in Catalonia.]( [CLICK FOR THE ANSWER]( [10 dazzling holiday light displays around the world]( These seasonal displays brighten cities, salute time-honored traditions, and infuse busy corridors with holiday cheer. [TWINKLE LIGHTS]( [On the walls of Jerusalem's Old City, a colorful menorah lights up the night during Hanukkah.]( PHOTOGRAPH BY YONATAN SINDEL, FLASH90/REDUX [How an ancient revolt sparked the Festival of Lights]( Celebrated over eight days and nights, Hanukkah commemorates a people’s uprising and holy miracle from more than 2,000 years ago. [THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [READ OUR LATEST STORIES]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [FB]( [Twitter]( [IG]( [Clicking on]( the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: {EMAIL}. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from: National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 [Stop all types of future commercial email]( from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences. © 2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.