Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Blessed Saturnalia, Happy Holidays

The winter holidays seems to bring out the extremes in humanity – both the best and the worst of us.  There is the classic “my holiday is better than your holiday” and the visceral “I must get [fill in the blank hot toy] for my son /niece/grandchild/etc.”  But the spirit of this season can be summed up as celebration – a celebration of life, family, and survival.  There are years (if not centuries) of traditions for Christmas (religious), Kwanza, Solstice, Hanukkah and christmas (secular).  I have to stress that no one holiday or tradition is superior to the other.  I may celebrate Christmas as a Polish Catholic, but that is me and my family.  What you do this time of year is just as valid. 

In my family we enjoy a big meal on Christmas Eve which includes kielbasa, ham, pierogi, cauliflower, homemade applesauce, and oplatek.  Pierogi is a Slavic dumpling most commonly made with potatoes and cheese but can also be filled with meat, sauerkraut, or fruit.  Oplatek is a rectangular wafer similar to modern Christian Eucharistic hosts with pressed religious images.  These wafers are shared with everyone at the table with hugs, kisses and Christmas cheer.  We then attend Midnight Mass which I personally believe is one of the most beautiful services. Christmas day is filled with gifts and leftovers and visiting the homes of our loved ones.  I continue my mother’s tradition of giving three gifts to my son – she used to tell us three gifts were good enough for Jesus so it should be good enough for us. 

I also observe the 12 days of Christmas.  I bet most of you have no clue what the song really means.  Well, over the centuries the Christian celebration of Christmas has evolved. First of all, many of the symbols we now connect with Christmas (such as the decorated tree) began as symbols of other winter celebrations predating Christianity.  Also, traditions from other countries (such as Santa Claus) have become mainstream.  There is of course the whole controversy of moving the celebration to coincide with the Winter Solstice (as we all know Jesus was probably born in the Spring but we already had Easter).  And finally, the gift-giving traditions have changed.  During the Middle Ages, after the four weeks preparation (Advent) Christmas was just day one.  Christmas, and often gift giving, lasted 12 days - until Epiphany, which celebrates the day when the Magi find Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Egypt and present gifts [bit of trivia, the Bible does not tell us how many came nor their names nor from where but because there were three gifts the assumption was born].   So the big gift giving day is January 6^th (in today’s calendar) – the 12^th day of Christmas.  Perhaps in these economic times it is good to not have 12 days of gift-giving…oh well, at least wait until after Epiphany to toss the tree and decorations..

We give gifts to say “Thank you,” or “I love you,” or even “I appreciate you.”  Sometimes the gift giving gets out of hand.  We try to out-do each other, going for the biggest, newest, or coolest.  We are swept up by the images we see on tv, in the ads, and online.  If you recall, the Grinch learned that is isn’t the “stuff” but the love that makes the season (read the original book, and skip the Jim Carrey movie).  The act of giving a gift should be an act of love.  Homemade gifts are the best…even a hug can be the best gift of all.  So stop, breath, and don’t go too nuts this year.  Tell your loved ones what they mean to you.  Do something nice for someone.  If you are blessed this year, give back - contribute to a food bank, donate you gently used items, drop your change in that red bucket, or even adopt a family in need.  If you don’t know anyone personally who needs help this year, the reach out to organizations such at the boys and girls Club – they always have families in need.

So, as I celebrate the last week in Advent, may I wish you peace and joy this season and in the new year.  A heart felt thank you to my friends and family who bless me everyday with their love and support.  I am truly blessed and what you to know how special you are.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Blessed Saturnalia, Happy Holidays