Passionate Potpourri

American holiday traditions are interwoven with many cultures from around the world. Other civilizations have contributed to this month’s seasonal festivities. Some are more recent such as Giving Tuesday, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The United Nations Foundation and the 92nd Street Y, New York City, announced this international day of sharing in 2012.

Other traditions like St. Nicholas Day are based on an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Myra in Asia who lived during the 4th century Common Era. St. He was known as the bringer of gifts and the toast of celebrations centered around this feast day, December 6, for several hundred years, circa 1200 to 1500 CE. The practice of seasonal gift-giving can also be traced to Norse gods such as Thor and Odin. Thor is known as the oldest son of Odin, and the son remains one of the most powerful gods of Norse mythology.

Saturnalia celebrations are the source of many of the traditions associated with this month. The ancient Roman festival honors Saturn, the god of agriculture. It was held on December 17 in the Julian calendar and festivities were later expanded through December 23. The holiday included a public banquet followed by private gift-giving. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is associated with the Saturnalia. Mistletoe was also used in marriage rites in many ancient cultures who also prized the herb for its healing properties. The Greeks used mistletoe, which is often associated with fertility and life, to ward off evil spirits.

The idea of hanging decorations in the middle of winter, known as “decking the halls,” is older than Christmas itself. Holiday decorations are mentioned in ancient descriptions of the Roman feast of Saturnalia, which originated in the 5th century BCE.

Yule or Yuletide is a historically observed by those of Germanic heritage; celebrations are connected to the god Odin and the Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht, the Night of the Mother. The December 21 feast celebrated the winter solstice. Many Christian traditions such as the Yule log and Yule singing have their origins in these ancient practices. Residents of Estonia and those in Nordic countries continue to use terms with an etymological equivalent to Yule to describe Christmas and other festivals held during the winter season.

The practice of having a Christmas tree originated in Germany during the 16th century CE when trees were brought into homes and decorated. Evergreens remain a symbol of life in several ancient religions, such as the Druids.

Other symbolic ceremonies held this time of the year include Hanukkah.

Judaism commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem each year with Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. The eight-day religious observance begins on the 25th day of Kislev, according to the Hebrew calendar. Hanukkah may occur any time from late November until late December in the Gregorian calendar.

This month is often associated with young folks. Children’s Day, the second Sunday of December, was established during the 1925 World Conference on Child Welfare in Geneva, Switzerland.

Monday, Dec. 21, is the official first day of winter in 2020. The date of the Winter Solstice varies and is determined astronomically based on the tilt of the Earth’s axis; it marks the start of winter. Celebrating the Earth’s rotation around the Sun can be traced to Mithra (also spelled Mithras, and Mitra in Sanskrit), the god of light in ancient Indo-Iranian mythology. Rituals honoring Mithra spread from India in the east to as far west as Spain, Great Britain, and Germany. This Persian god became popular in the Roman Empire in the 1st century CE, especially with Roman soldiers.

The northern hemisphere enters winter this month, but south of the equator the same date is the first day of summer.

Most Christian churches host religious services on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

Listening for the sound of hoofs and Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve comes from the Norse belief that Sleipnir, Odin’s eightlegged flying horse, lands on rooftops during the dark winter nights. Families in the U.S. often open gifts on the Dec. 24 but some prefer Dec.25.

Kwanzaa, Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, honors the first fruits of the harvest. The Swahili word means "first" and many people of African descent celebrate Kwanzaa in the U.S.

Some church congregations celebrate Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, instead of Dec. 25.

This Christian feast day celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. The date commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and the physical manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles in Western Christian beliefs. It is sometimes called Three Kings' Day, and in some traditions celebrated as Little Christmas, according to religious historians.

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, ushers in the last day of the year on U.S. calendars.

We are near the end of 2020.

I am hoping for peace and goodwill for all mankind.