Western Christians are observing Advent, the time of preparation before Christmas. Many Eastern Orthodox Christians begin their Advent Fast this weekend (December 12-13).

For Catholics, December 12 is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which commemorates Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531 through an apparition on his cloak.

Jews have been celebrating Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of lights (December 6-14). On the first night of Hanukkah, in front of the White House, Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and Jewish leaders lit a giant menorah. Hanukkah celebrates the successful revolt of the Jewish Maccabees in 165 BC against the pagan Syrian Greeks, who had conquered Jerusalem. When the Jews retook the temple and went to light the ritual candelabra, the menorah, they only had enough pure oil for one day. But the menorah stayed lit for eight.

The Jewish text, the Talmud, directs Jews to “publicize the miracle” of Hanukkah. Watch our story this week from San Antonio, Texas, where the Jewish community holds an annual “Hanukkah on the River” celebration. Leaders of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning explain how they are trying to fulfill the requirement to publicize the miracle.