It’s that time again! Time for festive feelings and bright lights-wishes of good cheer and visits to loved ones. Ahhh, the holidays…
This time of year however, doesn’t hold the same meaning for each of us. You may put a Christmas wreath on your door while your Jewish neighbor lights a Menorah, your African-American co-worker lights a kinara and a Jehovah’s Witness friend does not accept gifts.
From Christmas, to Kwanzaa, I’ve provided an outline of each holiday, focusing mostly on those most prevalent in the United States. These brief descriptions may not provide an in-depth sense of meaning for the more common holiday rituals and celebrations, but they will give you a working knowledge from which you can develop an appreciation of traditions other than just Christmas.
Christmas – December 25th
History
The word “Christmas” comes from the Old English “Cristes Maesse,” meaning “mass of Christ.” Christmas is held in close proximity to the winter solstice of the Northern hemisphere, which was a traditional time of celebration among many ancient cultures. However, the intent of Christmas by most accounts is to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Tradition
Christmas tradition is wide and varied. The main symbols of modern-day celebrations come from many early traditions: The fir tree from Germany,nativity scene popularized by Franciscans,Christmas Eve Mass an observance in the Roman Catholic and some Protestant churches.
Santa Claus began in the 4th Century as a real person known for his generosity and devotion to children. Over time, he was adopted throughout European countries as St. Nicholas, earning a red cape and white facial hair upon becoming Patron Saint of Russia.
Gifts
In Holland, the Dutch spelling of Sint Nikolass was transformed into Sinterklass, who rewarded good children by placing treats in their wooden shoes left by the fireplace. Dutch Colonists brought this tradition to the new world, where he became Santa Claus. In the 19th Century, Christmas began its emphasis on gift-giving, wreaths, mistletoe and caroling.
Hanukkah – December 1st through January 9th
History
Hanukkah means “dedication” and also is called “The Festival of Lights.” It is a Jewish celebration of religious freedom beginning on the Hebrew calendar date of the 25th of Kislev and lasts eight days through the 2nd of Tevet. Each year, these dates are different on our Gregorian calendar. After the religious victory of the Maccabees over the Hellenistic Syrians around 165 BCE (before the common era), the Jewish temple needed to be rededicated.
Meaning
For rededication, oil was needed to light the N’er Tamid — a lamp representing eternal light, which should never be extinguished once lit. Enough oil was available to burn for only one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days until a new supply of oil was found. An eight day festival was declared to celebrate the miracle of the oil.
Tradition
Today, the center candle or “shamash” is used to light the other candles of an eight pronged candelabrum called the “menorah.” Lighting from left to right each night of the celebration, all nine candles are lit by the last night. Because of the significance of oil to the holiday, fried foods like potato latkes and “sufganiot” (jelly doughnuts) are consumed.
Gifts
The only traditional gift given at Hanukkah is small amounts of “gelt,” or money to one’s own children. Receiving gifts on each of Hanukkah’s eight days is relatively new, and thought to be a result of the close proximity to Christmas.
Kwanzaa – December 26 through January 1
History
A cultural–not religious–holiday to uplift family and community among African-Americans, Kwanzaa means “first fruits” in Swahili, and was established in 1966. Its foundation is built on the five fundamental activities of ancient African “first fruits” activities: ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment and celebration.
Meaning
Kwanzaa’s “Nguzo Saba,” or seven principles, are symbolized by seven candles called Mishumaa Saba. Three red candles on the left of the kinara (candle holder) stand for struggle, three green candles on the right symbolize hope stemming from the struggle, and one central black candle symbolizes the people.
Tradition
The seven candles represent seven principles: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Kuumba (creativity), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), Imani (faith). The black candle is lit on the first day of the celebration, lighting another candle each day from left to right. This indicates that people come first, then the struggle, then hope.
Gifts
Gifts mainly are given to children, but always should include a book and a symbol of heritage in order to emphasize learning and commitment to tradition and history.
Additional holidays deserving of mention include: Boxing Day, which is celebrated in many English speaking countries; Diwali, the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” and the Muslum tradition of Ramadan.
For more information on these holidays and to learn how people celebrate around the world, click here
(http://www.msichicago.org/scrapbook/scrapbook_exhibits/catw2004/holiday_traditions.html) to visit the Museum of Science and Industry’s archives.
Doni Luckutt is a lifestyle expert who believes by enhancing interpersonal connection, we can stop simply living, and become Simply Alive! If you have a suggestion on what brings you to life, connect with her on Twitter @SimplyAlive, via email Doni@SimplyAliveWorld.com or on her blog: www.SimplyAliveWorld.com/Blog.
