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By JEFF DEAN Times Leader Correspondent
Sunday, December 12, 1999 Page: 3
December ’tis the time of the year to celebrate Hanukkah. And Ramadan,
Kwanzaa and solstice-oriented holidays.
Did we mention Christmas?
For a multitude of reasons that have evolved through centuries, December
has become the month of holidays, some with religious origins. Other events
revolve around the solstice or the celebration of the harvest. Here’s a primer
on the major holidays in progress and coming through the month.
WHAT: Hanukkah
WHO: Jews
WHEN: Begins 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev (this year Dec. 3) and
lasts eight days.
WHY: Hanukkah commemorates the struggle of the Maccabees, a band of Jews
who in the second century B.C. fought Syrian oppressors for religious freedom.
Upon victory, the Maccabee leaders vowed to cleanse and rededicate the temple
to God. With only one day’s fuel, a miracle occurred and the temple light
(menorah) actually burned for eight days until new oil could be made.
WHERE: Nightly in the home or with dinners at temples, synagogues or
community centers.
HOW: Each evening, candles are lit on a menorah, one on the first night,
two on the second and so on. The middle candle, or shamas, is used to light
the others. Other traditions include giving (or receiving) a gift each night
of Hanukkah, receiving Hanukkah gelt (foil-covered chocolate coins), singing,
spinning dreidels and feasting.
LIKE TO LEARN MORE? Call Barbara Sugarman at the Jewish Community Center,
824-4646.
GIFTS EXCHANGED? Yes, small and meaningful.
WHAT: Ramadan
WHO: Muslims
WHEN: The ninth month of the Moslem calendar, this year beginning Dec. 9.
The Muslim year is 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, therefore
Ramadan moves through all four seasons every 33 years.
WHY: During this month in the seventh century, the Holy Qur’an (Koran) was
received. Muhammad was alone near Mecca when the Angel Gabriel came to him.
Muhammad could not read, so during the next 10 days the angel taught him
verses. These verses (the exact words of God) make up the Holy Qur’an.
WHERE: In the home or in mosques.
HOW: Throughout the month, Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset in order
to heighten spirituality and develop self-control. Smoking and sexual
intercourse also are forbidden during these hours. Each day a special effort
is made to say the five daily prayers. The morning prayer is said after suhur,
the pre-dawn meal.
LIKE TO LEARN MORE? Call the Islamic Association of Northeastern
Pennsylvania at 823-9660.
GIFTS EXCHANGED: Not usually.
WHAT: Kwanzaa
WHO: African-Americans
WHEN: Begins Dec. 26 and lasts seven days,
WHY: Founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate black heritage and
to educate African-Americans about their struggles and rich cultural
background. The holiday also binds the African harvest customs and the social
history of the African-Americans. The word Kwanzaa is part of a Swahili phrase
meaning “the first fruits.”
WHERE: In the home and the homes of friends. Ideally, seven or more
families will rotate hosting dinners during the weeklong celebration.
HOW: Kwanzaa is based on The Seven Principles: umoha (unity), kujichaguli
(self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamma
(cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith).
Families and friends gather at meal time to pass a unity cup, light the seven
candles of the “kinara,” and recite the seven principles.
LIKE TO LEARN MORE? Call Constance Wynn at R.A.C.E (Rediscovering Ancestry
through Culture and Education) at 825-2491.
GIFTS EXCHANGED? Usually only to children, and with a heritage/educational
theme.
WHAT: Christmas (sacred)
WHO: Christians
WHEN: Dec. 25, although Christmas Eve is also significant. Orthodox
Christians celebrate on Jan. 7.
WHY: To celebrate the birth of Christ (as opposed to his death and
resurrection at Easter). The exact day of Christ’s birth has never been
pinpointed, but it may have been celebrated as early as 98 A.D. In 137 A.D.,
the Bishop of Rome ordered the Birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a
solemn feast. In 350 A.D. a later Bishop of Rome chose Dec. 25 as the date of
observance.
WHERE: In churches and in the home.
HOW: Specifics vary with denominations, but mostly with singing, prayer and
sermons. During the season of Advent, which begins the fourth Sunday before
Christmas and anticipates the coming of the birth of Jesus Christ, Christians
across the world prepare for the celebration with prayer, candle-lighting and
other symbols, such as the Advent wreath.
LIKE TO LEARN MORE? Call the Interfaith Council of the Wyoming Valley at
822-2796.
GIFTS EXCHANGED: Yes, something in the spirit of Christ.
WHAT: Christmas (secular)
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: Dec. 25
WHY: Modern-day Christmas actually has roots from around 4000 B.C. in the
ancient civilization of Mesopotamia. Drawing from Turkish, Scandinavian and
European traditions, the holiday has evolved into an eclectic winter festival
during which families gather to exchange gifts and feast.
WHERE: Homes mostly, but the weeks leading to Christmas feature
celebrations in all types in public places.
HOW: The details vary from family to family, but usually involve gathering
around a decorated Christmas tree (dating back to the ancient Romans who,
during their winter festival, decorated trees with small pieces of metal) to
exchange presents. Many children believe Santa Claus (whose legend has evolved
from the Turkish patron saint of children, Nicholas) travels the world on
Christmas Eve delivering presents. Some families string lights around their
homes.
LIKE TO LEARN MORE? Visit http://www.christmas.com
GIFTS EXCHANGED? Yes. And how.
WHAT: Yule
WHO: Wiccans/Pagans
WHEN: Dec. 21, the winter solstice
WHY: Winter solstice marks the longest night of the year and the point at
which daylight begins to increase again. The ancient tribes used to celebrate
solstice because it meant the turning point of winter and the eventual return
of spring. Yule is the time for honoring the goddess for giving birth to the
sun once again.
WHERE: In the home and outdoors.
HOW: Celebrants perform rituals to commemorate the increasing daylight and
also to see the world through the eyes of a child. Spells are cast for solace
and to bring harmony, peace and joy. Customarily, witches (Wiccans) decorate
the Yule tree, burn a Yule log and adorn the house with holly, ivy and pine.
Children may also wait for Father Winter – a white-bearded man dressed in red
fur-trimmed robes – to arrive bearing and exchanging gifts.
LIKE TO LEARN MORE? Visit http://www.angelfire.com./pa/pagansite/
GIFTS EXCHANGED: Not necessarily, but not frowned upon either.