这是一组来自白宫的节日数字，90%以上的圣诞装饰是以前用过的……

【背景 BACKGROUND】

光明节（Kwanzaa）：是一个犹太教节日。该节日乃纪念犹太人在马加比家族的领导下，从叙利亚塞琉古王朝国王安条克四世手上夺回耶路撒冷，并重新将耶路撒冷第二圣殿献给上帝。

光明节从基斯流月（犹太历9月）25日开始，延续八天。八天的节期与两个传说有关：一是玛喀比士兵因战斗而无法庆祝为期八天的住棚节，故以此作为补偿。二是收复、净化圣殿后，在打算点燃圣殿中的“七枝灯台”时，人们只找到了一小罐专门用于圣殿的灯油，犹太律法规定用于圣殿的灯油须从橄榄中提炼，并由掌管圣殿的大祭司经过一番洁净礼仪后才能使用。而无论是制作还是去外地取来这种净化过的灯油，均需要八天时间。然而，由于上帝对犹太人的恩赐和垂注，奇迹发生了，这一小罐原本只能燃用一天的灯油竟然一直燃烧了八天。根据这一传说，该节日最主要的仪式是点燃九枝灯台（再献圣殿节灯台，专门为庆祝哈努卡节使用的一种灯），第一天点燃灯台一枝灯盏，以后每天增加一枝灯盏，一直到第八天结束。故称之为“光明节”。

Kwanzaa is a relatively new family and com-munity celebration for African Americans. It lasts seven days, from December 26 to January 1. The holiday is a time to honor one’s ancestors, and to celebrate African culture and history. Friends, neighbors, and family gather to consider seven ideas that are important to the African American community.

Kwanzaa is not an ancient religious holiday. It was established in 1966 as part of the civil rights movement in the US. And so, families are still deciding what traditions they will de-velop and use. However, a few customs have already been widely accepted. The symbolic colors of Kwanzaa are red (for hard work), black (for beauty), and green (for a plentiful future). Families put a straw mat (mkeka) on a table (to remember African culture), and on it, a candle-holder (kinara). Every night, they light a candle to celebrate one of the seven ideas. Many families have a feast on December 31.