Snow Melt

11 Holy Days and 4 or 5 Days of Ayyam-i-Ha

The December 24, 2013 prompt for "Blogging Circle of Friends Prompt Forum"  is
It's Christmas Eve what traditions does your family have on this night? Do you go to church? Have a big dinner?
If you do not celebrate Christmas, share with us about a special tradition in your faith.

This is the year 170 of the Baha'i Calender, so most of the traditions are limited to Holy Days and Days of celebration. Baha'i's celebrate or commemorate 11 Holy Days and on 9 of those days work is suspended. Then there are the 4 or 5 Days of Ayyam-i-Ha which occur between February 26 and March 1 each year; in non-leap years there are 4 days and 5 days in leap years.

Holy Days on which work is suspended.

Naw-Ruz on March 21 is the Baha'i New year. Naw-Ruz means New Day.
The Festival of Ridvan occurs between April 21 and May 2, with the First Day of Ridvan (April 21), the Nineth Day (April 29), and the Twelfth Day (May 2) being the days work is suspended.
The Declaration of the Bab on May 23.
The Ascension of Baha'u'llah on May 29.
The Martyrdom of the Bab on July 9.
The Birth of the Bab on October 20.
The Birth of Baha'u'llah on November 12.

Holy Days on which work is not suspended.

The Day of the Covenant on November 26.
The Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha on November 28.

Ayyam-i-Ha

These are the day of gift giving.

The 19 Day Fast

The Fast occurs during the month of ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), between sunup and sundown.
Only those who are healthy, over 15 and under 70, are required to fast. In addition, women who are nursing or pregnant are exempt from fasting.

The Baha'i Day

A solar day that begins at sunset on one day and ends at sunset on the next.
Saturday is the first day of the week and Friday is the seventh.

Traditions

The traditions associated with these days is the commemoration or the celebration at a specific time, which include the reading of prayers, scriptures, music, singing, food, and explaining the significance of the day.

Thought of the Day: "...Blessed is the man that hath turned his face towards God, and walked steadfastly in His love, until his soul hath winged its flight unto God, the Sovereign Lord of all, the Most Powerful, the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Merciful." - Baha'u'llah, Gleanings From the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Page 170