December Joy

 

Since the onset of Covid, I have been thankful to not find a near-continual December onslaught of people arguing about which holiday is 'the' holiday of December. It's a relief, to say the least. The truth is, there are roughly 15 different holidays, and festivals, celebrated throughout the month of December around the globe...and all of them are amazing! Almost everyone is familiar with Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Yule. Now, most people are more than familiar with the similarities between Christmas, and Yule, just as they are familiar with the decorations, and traditions, surrounding Hanukkah. It should then come as no surprise that Kwanzaa has many similarities with Hanukkah. You may also be surprised that many of the 15 December holidays, and festivals, are quite similar, and yes, they are all wonderful celebrations to enjoy. When it comes to Christmas, specifically, a few things may surprise you - in regard to the traditional celebrations, and decorations. For example, the first known celebration of what we understand to be Christmas, was around 273AD. Back then, there were 2 Pagan holidays that celebrated the Sun. One of these is known as Yule. The other is known as the Solstice. It was around this time that both Christians, and Pagans, were not getting along well at all (which is putting it mildly, to say the least). It is also known that, back then, Christians decided to have a celebration to kind of 'counteract' the Pagan holidays. This celebration became Christmas. As one theologian once said: "We hold this day holy, not like the Pagans because of the birth of the Sun, but because of him who made it". 

      What is definitely known is that the Pagans continued, unwavered by the new Christian traditions, to celebrate Yule, and the Winter Solstice. Over the centuries, many of the Pagan and Christian traditions, decorations and celebrations in general became blended in to what everyone in this modern era understands to be Christmas, and Yule. One question many people have, however, is why December 25th? Well, this dates back to a Roman Christian historian, Sextus Julius Africanus, who dated the conception of Jesus to be March 25th. When he added the 9 months allowed for Mary's pregnancy with Jesus, it was determined, by the historian, that Jesus was born on December 25th. Suffice to say, modern scholars, historians, theologians and clerics have established that December 25th was likely no where near the time that Jesus was born. None the less, the holiday is well rooted, and there are no plans to change it anytime soon. A good thing, as December often brings in bouts of depression, that are common among people when the colder, harsher, weather begins in the northern hemisphere.

Unlike Yule, or Christmas, Hanukkah has a very different origin. Its origin begins back in 2AD, when the Second Temple, in Jerusalem, was rededicated to commemorate the successful uprising of the Jews, against their Greek-Syrian oppressors, in what is known as the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah is also one of Judaism's newest holidays. The word, 'hanukkah' means 'dedication', which is a precise word used to name this holiday, as this is exactly what took place at the Second Temple. It was rededicated, and thus named Hanukkah. Now, considering the fact that many Jews follow what Christians know as the Old Testament, there have been questions risen, pertaining directly to Jesus (who was raised as a Jew), and if he ever celebrated Hanukkah. After all, the first Hanukkah would have begun when Jesus was just a child. So it would stand to reason that he had not only knowledge of this holiday, but would also have celebrated it with his family, and friends. Sure enough, in the New Testament, there is mention of Jesus making sure he was in Jerusalem for the Hanukkah celebration (John: 10). To anyone's knowledge, this is the only common factor between Christianity, and Judaism, for the Hanukkah celebration.

     When it comes to Kwanzaa, it is a much newer celebration, which was first established in 1966, by activist Maulana Karega, and his wife, Tiamoya. This was during a time of racial unrest, not just in the United States, but around the globe. The first celebration took place in Los Angeles, California, and is a day for black people to not only confirm their African roots, but to also strengthen their bond with each other. Mr. Karega was the chair of Black Studies, at the California State University, in Long Beach. Since 1966, Kwanzaa has evolved into a widely celebrated holiday, with many traditions, decorations and festivities. The candles represent the colors of Africa, and are lit in a similar fashion to the way the candles on the Jewish menorah are lit. Kwanzaa is celebrated between December 26th, and January 1st each year. 

   These are just 4 of the 15 celebrations, and festivities, that take place in December...and that is a low estimation. Some documents suggest that there are up to 38 different December holidays, and celebrations. Some were created for fun, such as Festivus (which is based on a Seinfeld episode). Some have been around for thousands of years (such as Yule, Hanukkah and Christmas). Others are regional, and this is not taking into consideration the personal, and publically unknown, celebrations individuals have in their own homes. No matter what you celebrate in December (or don't, as the case may be), just try to remember that it's the last month in the year to celebrate anything. It's time to get yourself prepared for the new year ahead, and it's time for you to take that much needed, well deserved, time for yourself. Allow yourself to relax. Allow yourself to enjoy life, and, if nothing else, celebrate life itself. If all else fails, have a Nog and call it a day. Happy Holidays everyone!