The Reason for the Season

It seems that no one can agree on what to call the period of time between the middle of December to just after the first of the year. People from many different races, faiths and creeds celebrate this season. It isn’t simply a time for Christmas trees and presents, or menorahs and dreidels, or even “first fruit” feasts, but all that and more. It is truly a holiday season, a season everyone celebrates in his or her own way. So, focus on your own reason for celebrating, and not just the celebration’s name.

Here is a wish for a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa to everyone.

The following is a bit of trivia and a very brief history of the three major celebrations this month. The topics discussed in the section are listed under the celebration's name.

Christmas

When was Christmas first observed as a holiday?

Christmas was one of five holidays first designated as a federal observance in 1870 that also included New Year's Day, George Washington's birthday, Independence Day and Thanksgiving. At that time the holiday was only for federal employees in Washington D.C. By 1885 Congress extended this to federal employees outside of D.C. and in 1960 to all federal employees. Christmas is observed each year on Dec. 25.

The Christmas observance date coincides with the winter solstice - around Dec. 21 or 22 - the shortest day of the year and the beginning of the winter season. While there is not a definitive record of when Christ was born, historians place the actual date closer to fall of the year. The celebration eventually became connected with the lengthening of days that came with the passage into winter, which was viewed as a sort of rebirth. Early Christians melded their celebration of the birth of Christ into pagan winter festivals as a way to appease recent converts. Many of the traditions and customs, such as the Yule log, hanging of mistletoe, and Christmas trees, all have their origins in pagan rituals.

Today nearly 2 billion Christians, representing every nation of the world, celebrate Christmas.

Where did the legend of Santa Claus originate?

Early Christian legends focus on St. Nicholas, a third century Bishop born in Patara, Turkey. He was believed to be the protector of sailors and children, and benefactor to the poor. The modern American version was inspired by the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, brought over by settlers in the 17th century. The character of Santa Claus gradually came into being, helped along by the 1822 poem by Clement Clarke Moore - “The Night Before Christmas.” In this tale, Santa was a “right jolly old elf.” He didn’t gain his human-status until 1931 when he was a prominent figure in a Coca-Cola® ad.

When were the first Christmas trees decorated?

Long believed to carry special significance as a symbol of everlasting life, evergreens, firs and other pine trees, have been used as holiday decorations throughout history and in almost every country. German customs are credited with the creation of Christmas trees with the first decorated tree recorded in the 16th century. This custom, seen by early American settlers as a pagan ritual, was not widely accepted in the New World until the 19th century. In 1846 Queen Victoria was pictured in an illustration published in the London News with her family standing beside a decorated Christmas tree. The holiday custom immediately became fashionable both in England and in East Coast American society.

Why is gift giving so important?

Tradition holds that the giving of gifts at Christmas traces back to the gifts brought by the Magi to the Christ child. Other legends tell that in ancient Rome, high-ranking citizens were expected to bring gifts to the emperor in celebration of the winter solstice and to celebrate the birth of the sun god, from whom the emperor was believed to be descended.

Blended into the mythology of Santa Claus are tales of St. Nicholas tossing presents and gifts of money through the windows of poor families. One story is that three poor sisters were unable to wed because their father could not afford to provide them with a dowry. St. Nicholas threw coins down their chimney. Each landed in a different spot - one went into a sister’s shoe drying by the fire, another fell into a stocking hung on the mantle and the third landed in a window. This is one explanation for the custom of hanging stockings or leaving out shoes for Santa to fill with small treats. Later, parents began giving their children presents of chocolate or fruit on St. Nicholas’ feast day, Dec. 6. It slowly became associated with the Feast of the Nativity on Dec. 25.

Today, Christmas presents have become a multi-billion dollar commercial industry. The first advertisement for Christmas gifts was printed around 1804 and the shopping frenzy has not slowed down yet.

What are Advent candles?

Five candles - one pink, three purple, one white - are typically placed in a wreath candleholder with a new candle lit each of the four Sundays in Advent and Christmas Eve, traditionally beginning with the last Sunday in November. The custom is to read a Bible verse related to each of the five principles on the corresponding Sunday. Families create their own customs and traditions during this celebration.

First Sunday - Purple for Hope

Second Sunday - Purple for Peace

Third Sunday - Pink for Joy

Fourth Sunday - Purple for Love

Christmas Eve - White for the Light of Christ

How big is the world’s largest candy cane?

Paul Ghinelli, owner of Fabiano’s Homemade Candy and Ice Cream in Lansing, Mich., created the world’s largest candy cane on Dec. 5, 1997 - a whopping 36-foot-7-inch, 42-pound, red, white and green spearmint confection. Following the official measuring ceremony, the candy was broken into pieces and sold as a fundraiser for the local Ronald McDonald House.

Historically, a German choirmaster was credited with the creation of the candy cane in 1670 as a way to keep the children quiet during the church’s Nativity ceremony. The familiar red strip was not added until the early 1900s, before then candy canes were solid white.

Nearly 2 billion candy canes are manufactured annually.

Hanukkah

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is a celebration that commemorates when the Maccabees sought to purify and rededicate their temple after a final victory over the Syrians in 165 BCE. Syrian king Antiochus had ordered all seven-branched candelabras (a symbol of Judaism since the time of Moses) and oil removed from the temples, and replaced them with pagan statues.

With the defeat of the Syrians, the Judeans wanted to light their new menorahs in celebration, only to find a flask with just enough oil for one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight nights, long enough for more consecrated oil to arrive. Tradition now celebrates that miracle with the lighting of menorah candles - one for each of the eight nights. While not considered one of the High Holiday, it is particularly popular with children.

Hanukkah, which means "dedication,” is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. This falls somewhere between November and December on the Gregorian calendar. This year, Hanukkah began at sundown Dec. 4.

The 2000 American Jewish Committee reported there were an estimated 5.7 million Jews in the United States, 362,000 in Canada, and 13,191,500 worldwide. Other estimates place the Jewish population somewhere between 12 and 17 million.

What is the significance of lighting the menorah?

Originally olive oil was used in the menorah. Colored candles have since replaced it. The center and tallest candle is used to light all the others. Each night a blessing is recited before the candles are lit. Custom has it that the menorah be lit at nightfall and be displayed in a window or on an open table to "publicize the miracle."

Blessing 1 - Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

Blessing 2 - Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.

Blessing 3 - Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this time. (This blessing is recited only on the first night or the first time one kindles the Hanukkah lights.

On the first night a candle is set in the far right holder on the menorah along with a Shamash (or helper candle), then three blessings are recited. On each night another candle is added and the first two blessings are recited.

Is gift giving part of the Hanukkah celebration?

Giving gifts during Hanukkah is a relatively new tradition taken from non-Jewish, American festivals and celebrations. Traditionally, children are given gifts of money or “gelt,” which is Yiddish for “money.” This is done in remembrance of the Maccabees finally being given the right to mint their own coins; a sign of true independence from the Syrians. Today, many families have adopted the custom of giving everyone presents.

What is the significance of latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts)?

This feasting tradition memorializes the legendary, never-emptying, flask of oil and is celebrated during the Hanukkah season by eating foods fried in oil.

What is a dreidel?

A dreidel is a four-sided top used to play a traditional Jewish game. On each side of the top a letter is written - the initials of the phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham,” which translates as “a great miracle happened there.”

On Dec. 7, 2003, participants at the Indiana University's Helene G. Simon Hillel Center claim to have broken a previous world record of 523 by getting 713 tops spinning for a minimum of 10 seconds.

Students at the Chabad House at Rutgers University in New Jersey believe their 16-foot top may soon be recognized as the World’s Largest Dreidel.

Where is the world's largest menorah?

New York City's Lubavitch Youth Organization lays a claim to this record, displaying a 32-foot tall, gold-tone structure each year with a nightly candle-lighting ceremony during the holiday season. The Chabad movement in Latrun, erected its own menorah, measuring 60-feet tall and weighing 17 metric tons, near the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway in 1997. Each night a crane was used to lift a rabbi high enough to light the candles.

Kwanzaa

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival created after the Los Angeles Watts Riots by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. He sought a way for African Americans to embrace their heritage during a time of extreme civil unrest. The first celebration was held on Dec. 26, 1966.

Dr. Karenga was inspired by the "first fruit" celebrations in Africa. These traditional festivals gave people the chance to give thanks for their crops, and to their Creator for a good life and harvest; to remember their ancestors and history; and to recommit themselves to their community and neighbors. Today it is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

More than 20 million people in the United States, Canada, England, the Caribbean and Africa celebrate Kwanzaa.

What does the name mean?

It is taken from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza, " meaning, "first fruit." The extra "a" was added to the end for special emphasis.

What is the significance of the seven Kwanzaa candles and symbols?

Seven candles (Mishumaa Saba) representing the colors of the African flag - one black, three red and three green - are lit during the celebration and signify the seven principals (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. Each day a new candle is lit, until all seven are burning. The candles are placed in a Kinara (candelabra) with the single black candle in the middle, three red candles on the left and three green candles on the right. The ritual is similar to the lighting of the menorah during Hanukkah or lighting advent candles during Christmas celebrations.

Day 1 - Black, Umoja (Unity): success starts with unity of the family, of the community, of the nation, and of the race.

Day 2 - Red, Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) - create one's own destiny.

Day 3 - Green, Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) - build one's community, working together to help one another.

Day 4 - Red, Ujamaa (Collective Economics) - support community businesses, stores and establishments.

Day 5 - Green, Nia (Purpose) - to restore African American people to their traditional greatness, honoring ancestors and being responsible to descendents.

Day 6 - Red, Kuumba (Creativity) - make one's communities better for the future.

Day 7 - Green, Imani (Faith) - believing in one's own people, families, leaders and righteousness of the African American struggle.

Each night as a candle is lit a principle is discussed. Individual families are free to create their own celebrations using the principles. Many families incorporate storytelling, drums and dancing in their celebrations. On the seventh day, Dec. 31, an African feast (Karamu) is held.

The first five symbols are used to decorate the Kwanzaa table, and celebrate the family, past, present and future. The last two include a feast to celebrate the bounty of the passing year, and gift giving to show honor to present and future generations.

Mazao: Fruits, Nuts, and Vegetables - symbolizes work

Mkeka: Place Mat - historical and traditional foundation to build a future

Vibunzi: Ear of Corn - fertility and bringing forth children, the hope of the future

Mishumaa Saba: The Seven Candles - re-create the power of the sun and to provide light

Kinara: The Candleholder - represents the past, ancestry

Kikombe Cha Umoja: The Unity Cup - used on the sixth day to symbolize unity and to honor ancestors

Zawadi: Gifts - given on the seventh day to encourage growth, self-determination, achievement, and success; traditionally handmade presents

Where is the oldest Kwanzaa celebration held?

Richard Stockton College in New Jersey has a long tradition of celebrating this festival. Dr. Karenga was the keynote speaker at the college’s 29th annual pre-Kwanzaa celebration held on Dec. 9, 2005.

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