It’s December already! Many of us ask, “How did that happen?” No matter how it came to be this late in the year already, the majority of people celebrate something during this time of year. So the term “Happy Holidays” which has taken on all the rancor of the highly politicized atmosphere we find ourselves in, is actually quite apt.

For some, the celebration is Hannukkah. Also spelled Chanukah, it is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and specific foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. For the re-dedication, they sought to light the Temple's Menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity. (https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/102911/jewish/What-Is-Hanukkah.htm)

For others, it’s Advent and Christmas, a Christian tradition which has evolved into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many pre-Christian and pagan traditions into the festivities. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Surrounding Christmas, are other traditions such as Jul, Saturnalia, and Winter Solstice. (https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas)

And for still others, it may be Kwanzaa. Though not a replacement for Christmas, Kwanzaa occurs around the same time and has meaning all its own based on South African “First Fruits” celebrations. Each of the days of the celebration is dedicated to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). There also are seven symbols of the holiday: fruits, vegetables, and nuts; a straw mat; a candleholder; ears of corn (maize); gifts; a communal cup signifying unity; and seven candles in the African colours of red, green, and black, symbolizing the seven principles. On each day the family comes together to light one of the candles in the kinara, or candle holder, and to discuss the principle for the day. On December 31, families join in a community feast called the karamu. Some participants wear traditional African clothing during the celebration. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kwanzaa)

These are just a selection of some of the holidays and traditions during this time of year.

Not surprising, celebrations often slide into a commercial realm - gifts, feasts, cards, decorations - and the actual reason for the celebration loses some of its meaning. As a store that benefits from the gift-giving tradition, we can’t denigrate that aspect, but we can take some time to consider the meaning of these celebrations and try to impart the spirit of them as we go about our days.

Let us together light the lights of these festivals and also the lights of each other’s spirits - share joy, kindness, and love with each other as the days grow darker and the year comes to a close.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL!!