Holiday books for children centering around religious and winter celebrations. Photo: Getty Images Up here, above the equator, December boasts the longest nights of the year. So, it makes sense that Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and more, have evolved as festivals of light. Colorful candles, the Yule log, shiny tree decorations and twinkly stars pierce the darkness with good cheer, needed more than ever this year.