December 2019

Azle Memorial Library 333 W. Main St. Azle, Texas 76020 Phone-817-444-7216 www.azlelibrary.org

While many of us are familiar with , there are various other holidays and traditions celebrated throughout the world during this season.

1. Hanukkah (celebrated in or late November) is an eight-day Jewish celebration of the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt. For each night of the celebration a candle is added to the Menorah (after sundown) and lit by a ninth candle called a shamash (“helper”). 2. Kwanzaa (December 26 to January 1) honors African heritage in African-American culture and celebrates the seven core principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. 3. Eid Al Adha (10th day of the 12th month on the lunar calendar) is a Muslim holiday which celebrates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God. New clothes are worn to perform the Eid prayer, and families, who are able, purchase a halal animal which is divided into three parts - one for family, one for friends, and one for the needy. 4. The Festival (December 21 or 22) is a winter festival celebrated by the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. The day is spent with family and warm, hearty foods (such as ) are eaten. 5. Yalda or Shab-e-chelleh (celebrated on the longest and darkest night of the year) is an Iranian solstice festival. On this night, families get together and stay awake all night long, reading classic poetry and old mythologies aloud. 6. Bodhi Day (early December) is a Buddhist holiday which celebrates Siddhartha’s awakening. Images of Buddha under a Bodhi tree are placed in homes and candles are lit every night for 30 days (symbolizing enlightenment). 7. Other winter celebrations include , St. Lucia, , Epiphany, Boxing Day, Losar, and more! Whatever holiday you choose to celebrate (or not celebrate), may you and yours find peace in the season! - Liz Upcoming FREE Library Programs and Events All events take place in the Azle Memorial Library Community Room, unless otherwise noted.

Fall Storytime Benefits Application Assistance READ To a Dog Gift Wrap Central

Repeated Every Wednesday/Thursday Tuesday 12/10 from 1-4 PM Saturday, 12/14 from 2-3:30 PM Friday 12/20 from 2-5:45 PM (No Storytime weeks of Christmas and New Years) Located in the Library Foyer. Readers of all ages and abilities are invited to Saturday 12/21 from 10-12:30 PM Join our Children’s Librarian, Miss Lisa, for early Tarrant Area Food Bank will be on hand to read to a certified therapy dog! Reading out Do you have presents to learning, stories, rhymes, crafts and more! assist in filing applications for any THHSC loud can be intimidating, especially in a wrap for the holidays? Stop Toddler Tales: Ages 18-36 months @ 10 AM program, including CHIP, Snap, and Medicaid. classroom setting, but reading to a dog takes by the Library’s “Gift Wrap Preschool Storytime: Ages 3-6 @ 10:45 AM the pressure off! Come practice your reading Central” to wrap you gifts ARTastic skills and say hi to one of our book lovin’ pups! for free (5 gifts per person). You bring the gifts and do Non-Fiction Addiction Book Club (No ARTastic in December due to Thursday 12/5 @ 6 PM the wrapping, and the Li- Santa at Your Library Event) Main Street Book Club brary will provide the wrapping paper, tape, Adults are invited to attend this program on the Ages 5-12. The Library will provide directions Tuesday 12/17 @ 6 PM scissors and other supplies. This is a great 1st Thursday of every month at 6 PM. Read the and supplies to make an art project! This (December includes an optional holiday way to wrap the presents in secret away book selection of the month beforehand and program meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each potluck and book exchange. Speak to from the kids, or to avoid buying an entire join us for a discussion and refreshments. month at 4:30 PM. Next class: 1/14/20 Librarian, Liz, for more details) roll of wrapping paper for one present. Kids December: A Woman of No Importance Adults of all ages are welcome to attend! 13 & under must be accompanied by an by Sonia Purnell Santa at Your Library! Please read the book selection of the month adult. January: The Truffle Underground Tuesday 12/10 beforehand and join us for a lively by Ryan Jacobs @ 6 PM discussion. Meets the third Tuesday of every February: Educated : A Memoir Join us for photos with month at 6 PM. Senior Cinema by Tara Westover Santa and Olaf (bring your December: Before We Were Yours Monday 12/30 @ 2 PM own camera)! Plus, by Lisa Wingate Adults are invited to a Family Film Friday holiday crafts, cookies and January: The Great Alone showing of the movie Dolly Friday 12/6 @ 4 PM more at this FREE family by Kristin Hannah Parton’s Christmas of Many All ages! Enjoy a showing of the event! The program is February: The Flatshare Colors: Circle of Love (Not 2018 movie, The Grinch (rated come-and-go, but ends by Beth O’Leary Rated) on the big screen with PG) on the big screen with free promptly at 7:30 PM. free popcorn. This program popcorn. This program takes takes place on the last place on the 1st Friday of every Brick It Up! LEGO Club Monday of every month at 2 PM. Adults only. month at 4 PM. Upcycled Christmas Card Craft Wednesday 12/18 @ 4:30 PM Perfect for all kids and families! We provide the Thursday 12/12 @ 6:30 PM What’s Cookin’? LEGOs and you bring the creativity! Creations Annual Cookie Exchange Craft with the old to make something new! Monday 1/13/20 @ 4:30 PM will be displayed in the Children's Area of the Monday 12/9 @ 4:30 PM The Library will provide the supplies needed Adults & older teens. Join us for recipes, fun Library. This program meets on the third Adults and teens are invited to our annual to make Christmas Cards (or any holiday card facts, cooking tips and samples. This class Wednesday of every cookie exchange! Simply bring 2 dozen cookies of your choice) to send to loves ones. Free! takes place on the second Monday of every month at 4:30 PM. or bars, plus the recipe. You will have the Adults only please. other month, plus December. opportunity to swap cookies with others and January: Quick & One-Pot Meals take home a packet of recipes. No sign-up is March: Sandwiches: Hot & Cold required.