Everyone knows that Christmas is celebrated on December 25. This year, the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 23, and Kwanzaa, the African American celebration, begins on December 26. Let's take a moment to look at some holiday traditions, both religious and family, at this special time of year.

"Follow me to the merriest place in cyberspace," Claus.Com. This site is truly delightful. Check your rating on the naughty or nice list, visit Mrs. Claus' Kitchen, or sing holiday karaoke. On the big "night before Christmas," you can track Santa's progress as he gets near *your* home, or you can learn how many cookies he's consumed so far.

Celebrate a top ten Christmas at Peggy's Place, which is the "most fun Christian home on the Web." View Internet advent calendars or a Slovak Nativity Set. The site is part of a Merry Christmas webring, so you can happily click your way to more holiday sites.

Discover how Christmas is celebrated around the world at WorldView. Learn the origin of Christmas, the legend of Santa Claus, and early Christmas in America.

Virtual Jerusalem, Chanukah Megasite, is hard to beat, with its "sparklers" for kids, such as Shockwave Jumping Jigsaw, or personalized mad lib Chanukah stories. Read the fine print (laws), or learn of strange Chanukah customs around the world.

For information on the African American celebration of Kwanzaa, visit the Kwanzaa Information Center. Learn the background and goals of Kwanzaa, its symbols, and its principles. Participate in a Kwanzaa chat.

Christmas in Cyberspace offers no Santa Clauses but provides Christmas from a Christian perspective. Learn the history of Christmas, Christmas traditions, music, prayers, meditations, or visit links all over the Web.

The Jewish Communication Network sponsors Happy Hanukkah, where you can spin a virtual Dreidel, learn meditations for every night of Hanukkah, and discover the history of this very important celebration.

Visit Kwanzaa Recipes for mouth-watering dishes such as Grandmother's Southern Fried Okra or African Squash and Yams.

At Yule.Com, read the delightful story, "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," or visit sites all over the world and see how others celebrate Christmas.

Another wonderful site is Hanukkah, Festival of Lights. "Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, involves the lighting of candles for eight days." Discover songs, games, art, and history.

At the Kwanzaa Welcome Page, learn the seven principles of Kwanzaa, its rituals, and the significance of the colors black, red, and green.

"While Christmas is viewed as too commercial by most, those who keep their traditions alive renew the Joy that is associated with the birth of Christ each year." At A Search for the Meaning of Christmas, you can take a look at family and religious traditions, view Christmas through literature or poetry, or learn of celebrations the world over. Superb site.

Robin Nobles is a freelance writer who can be reached at robinnobles@robinsnest.com.

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