This Jewish festival of lights for eight days and nights is a "minor" holiday that has grown in stature, especially in the United States, due to its proximity to Christmas. The origins of the celebration are described in the book of Maccabees and come from a time when Israel was threatened with Greek (pagan) domination. It symbolically celebrates the continuation of Jewish thought, custom and religion over the years, despite outside influences.
After the Jewish temple was defiled by the Greeks (They set up statutes of the Greek gods and slaughtered a pig on the altar!), during its rededication, only a small quantity of oil was located for the lighting of the great candlestick. However, this oil continued to burn for eight days and nights: a miracle!
Hanukkah is a time of gift-giving, with candles on the menorah lit each successive night, until the eighth night when the candlestick is ablaze in light. Part of the many holidays of December, it fits in with the annual celebration of lights during this time of the year, as North America enters the cold dark nights of winter.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
December and Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Part of the Advent experience of December is to reflect on the circumstances of Jesus's birth. That includes his mother Mary, known as the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) or Theotokos (The God-bearer), among a variety of titles.
December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, celebrating the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother Anne. (Mary's birthday is commemorated nine months later on September 8th). This should not be confused with the concept of the virginal conception of her son Jesus, celebrated on the feast of the Annunciation on March 25th (nine months prior to Christmas). The dogma of the Immaculate Conception explains that even from the very start of her existence, Mary was the chosen vessel, pure and sinless, in which God would come to earth. Without any lengthy discourse on the concept and details of "predestination," Mary's free will was still intact, allowing her to choose to obey the message of the angel at the annunciation: "Let it be done to me according to God's will." This dogma, even though it has ancient origins, was not formally defined until 1854 by Pope Piux IX in the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus (Ineffable God). Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, is patroness of the United States of America.
Two historic events that are related to this feastday are two appearance of Mary, both of which took place in France. The apparition of Mary and the establishment of the Miraculous Medal in 1830 is celebrated by the Vincentian Orders on November 27th. Saint Catherine Laboure, to whom Mary appeared, is honored on November 28th. The other visitation was to Saint Bernadette at Lourdes in 1858, where Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Conception.
Another apparition of Mary is celebrated on December 9 and December 12, when the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531 Mexico, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. St. Juan Diego's feastday is on the 9th, which was the first day of the appearances. Primary patroness of the country of Mexico, Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is patroness of the Americas (both North and South hemispheres).
The combination of these two days centered on Mary (the 8th and the 12th) serve to intensify the Advent focus on the Mother of Jesus, her pregnancy and role in the coming of the Messiah.
December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, celebrating the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother Anne. (Mary's birthday is commemorated nine months later on September 8th). This should not be confused with the concept of the virginal conception of her son Jesus, celebrated on the feast of the Annunciation on March 25th (nine months prior to Christmas). The dogma of the Immaculate Conception explains that even from the very start of her existence, Mary was the chosen vessel, pure and sinless, in which God would come to earth. Without any lengthy discourse on the concept and details of "predestination," Mary's free will was still intact, allowing her to choose to obey the message of the angel at the annunciation: "Let it be done to me according to God's will." This dogma, even though it has ancient origins, was not formally defined until 1854 by Pope Piux IX in the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus (Ineffable God). Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, is patroness of the United States of America.
Two historic events that are related to this feastday are two appearance of Mary, both of which took place in France. The apparition of Mary and the establishment of the Miraculous Medal in 1830 is celebrated by the Vincentian Orders on November 27th. Saint Catherine Laboure, to whom Mary appeared, is honored on November 28th. The other visitation was to Saint Bernadette at Lourdes in 1858, where Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Conception.
Another apparition of Mary is celebrated on December 9 and December 12, when the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531 Mexico, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. St. Juan Diego's feastday is on the 9th, which was the first day of the appearances. Primary patroness of the country of Mexico, Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is patroness of the Americas (both North and South hemispheres).
The combination of these two days centered on Mary (the 8th and the 12th) serve to intensify the Advent focus on the Mother of Jesus, her pregnancy and role in the coming of the Messiah.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Saint Nicholas -December 6th
This bishop of Myra (in modern Turkey) is an very important saint in Eastern and Russian Orthodoxy and is known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker. In Germany and the Netherlands traditions regarding St. Nicholas are the inspiration or source for the American concept of Santa Claus.
Monday, December 1, 2014
December - Happy Holidays!
"Happy Holidays!" is a very appropriate greeting for the month of December, as it is a month filled with a variety of holidays, one of which is Christmas, commemorating Jesus' birth on earth in Bethlehem, Judea. Note that the evening of December 24th officially begins the Christmas season, which ends on the celebration of The Baptism of the Lord. In Orthodox Christianity, "Christmas" doesn't begin until January 6th! (The secular or popular "Christmas shopping season" is really one of preparation and corresponds in Christianity with the season of Advent.)
As you look at the word "holiday" you can see that it originates in the concept of a "holy day." In the Western tradition the original days "off from work or labor" that were given over to feasting and celebrating were religious, namely Christian holy feastdays. December is filled with such days that are Christian and Jewish and cultural in identity. Halfway through the month on the 16th, the preparation for Christmas intensifies in Filipino and Hispanic cultures with Simbang Gabi, Las Posadas, and Las Parrandas. In 2014 the Jewish eight-night celebration of Hanukkah also begins on the evening of the 16th, extending through sundown on the 24th. Every year on the 26th, African Americans celebrate their heritage and cultural values with the week of Kwanza. Many of those who are not traditionally religious or who follow a nature-based religion celebrate the Winter Solstice (December 21st).
Some narrow-minded Christians complain that the greetings of "Happy Holidays" takes away from the celebration of Christmas; that Christians should only be focused on a "Merry Christmas!" What a myopic view! A universal (or catholic) Christianity acknowledges diversity and cultural influences.(And it is just plain rude to discredit or not tolerate other religious and cultural celebrations.) There's plenty of reasons to celebrate in the month of December!
As you look at the word "holiday" you can see that it originates in the concept of a "holy day." In the Western tradition the original days "off from work or labor" that were given over to feasting and celebrating were religious, namely Christian holy feastdays. December is filled with such days that are Christian and Jewish and cultural in identity. Halfway through the month on the 16th, the preparation for Christmas intensifies in Filipino and Hispanic cultures with Simbang Gabi, Las Posadas, and Las Parrandas. In 2014 the Jewish eight-night celebration of Hanukkah also begins on the evening of the 16th, extending through sundown on the 24th. Every year on the 26th, African Americans celebrate their heritage and cultural values with the week of Kwanza. Many of those who are not traditionally religious or who follow a nature-based religion celebrate the Winter Solstice (December 21st).
Some narrow-minded Christians complain that the greetings of "Happy Holidays" takes away from the celebration of Christmas; that Christians should only be focused on a "Merry Christmas!" What a myopic view! A universal (or catholic) Christianity acknowledges diversity and cultural influences.(And it is just plain rude to discredit or not tolerate other religious and cultural celebrations.) There's plenty of reasons to celebrate in the month of December!
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
ADVENT2014
Liturgically-oriented Christian denominations like Roman Catholicism and Lutheran and Episcopalian churches celebrate the four weeks prior to Christmas as the season of Advent. The season is determined by four Sundays prior to December 25th, so sometimes the fourth "week" of Advent can be very short. In 2014 this season begins on the evening of Saturday, November 29th, with the lighting of the first candle of the Advent wreath. Sabbath worship in many Christian churches begins on Saturday evening. Technically known as a "vigil," this follows the Jewish reckoning of the day as starting at sundown the evening prior.
The liturgical color of Advent is either deep indigo, blue, or purple. A straight forward blue would be in honor of Mary (the Blessed Virgin), whose story and pregnancy dominates the Advent season; whereas a blue-purple would be to distinguish Advent from the red-purple of Lent. Advent is meant to provide religious and spiritual preparation for the celebration of the Christmas season, which BEGINS on Christmas Eve. Much of society has turned the days prior to the 24th into a secular Christmas season, so much so that what is meant to be the start of Christmas is mistaken by many to be the end of the celebrating. Advent preparation focuses a Christian believer onto the true meaning of Christmas.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Int'l Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
November 25th
is established by the United Nations General Assembly as an International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in memory of the Maribal sisters who were murdered on November 25, 1961 in the Dominican Republic. A 1994 novel by Julia Alvarez: In the Time of Butterflies, tells the story of Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa. In 2001 the book was made into a movie of the same name, starring Salma Hayek, Edward James Olmos and Marc Anthony.
On the Roman Catholic calendar, the 25th is the feastday of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a virgin woman who was tortured on a wheel and martyred for her faith around the year 305.
is established by the United Nations General Assembly as an International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in memory of the Maribal sisters who were murdered on November 25, 1961 in the Dominican Republic. A 1994 novel by Julia Alvarez: In the Time of Butterflies, tells the story of Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa. In 2001 the book was made into a movie of the same name, starring Salma Hayek, Edward James Olmos and Marc Anthony.
On the Roman Catholic calendar, the 25th is the feastday of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a virgin woman who was tortured on a wheel and martyred for her faith around the year 305.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
November Thanksgiving
When not overshadowed by a consumeristic and downright "pagan" approach to Christmas, November in the USA is the month of Thanksgiving, a federal holiday celebrated on the fourth (4th) Thursday of the month. It is followed by a Friday that has been designated in remembrance of Native American Indian heritage and culture, but is more commonly known as Black Friday, a day for shopping and consumeristic glee. The "Black" refers to making a profit in retail and keeping the balance sheet out of the red/losses column. Christmas holiday shopping accounts for a huge percentage of revenue for many businesses. In recent years this bargain shopping madness has even crept onto Thanksgiving Day. Cyber Monday, following this four-day weekend, was set aside for internet shopping bargains. One might get the impression that the holiday was all about shopping!
There are several key characteristics to this holiday: mainly food and football and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The arrival of Santa Claus at the very end of the parade is the old tradition that the Christmas preparations and shopping and decoration came once Thanksgiving was over. Thanksgiving is rooted in the traditions surrounding the first harvest by the Pilgrim settlers of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts in autumn of 1621. The settlers were joined by and indeed saved from starvation by the native inhabitants. Many traditions regarding Thanksgiving romanticize and glamorize what were very stark and brutal conditions for the Pilgrims and the resulting effects upon the Native indigenous population. Much of the history of settlement and "conquest" of the Americas, with the effects of colonization on the Native American first inhabitants of the land, is quite horrific and shameful. So maybe the "Black Friday" designation actually complements the historical facts. (This take on the title, however, perpetuates the connotations of the word "black" or "dark" with things negative. The business meaning of Black Friday is a very good thing.)
Like those found in many other countries, Thanksgiving is a harvest festival for the United States. Although a little late in the season, Thanksgiving is a celebration of the season of AUTUMN, with multi-colored tree leaves, ears of corn, squash and dried gourds. It colors are those of Fall: oranges, reds, goldenyellow, and brown. It is also a quasi-religious holiday. It originates from the federal government and does not origin in the Christian Church, although the Pilgrims were Christians who left England under religious persecution. And the holiday fits into the ideal of the USA as predominantly a "Christian" nation. As such, it is a day of prayer.
Above all it is a day of food. The traditional Thanksgiving feast is a very lavish meal with turkey, potatoes, gravy, yams, cranberries, beans, bread and pumpkin pie. It is usually very heavy in starchy foods. There is a whole variety of regional side-dishes to accompany the turkey.
There are several key characteristics to this holiday: mainly food and football and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The arrival of Santa Claus at the very end of the parade is the old tradition that the Christmas preparations and shopping and decoration came once Thanksgiving was over. Thanksgiving is rooted in the traditions surrounding the first harvest by the Pilgrim settlers of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts in autumn of 1621. The settlers were joined by and indeed saved from starvation by the native inhabitants. Many traditions regarding Thanksgiving romanticize and glamorize what were very stark and brutal conditions for the Pilgrims and the resulting effects upon the Native indigenous population. Much of the history of settlement and "conquest" of the Americas, with the effects of colonization on the Native American first inhabitants of the land, is quite horrific and shameful. So maybe the "Black Friday" designation actually complements the historical facts. (This take on the title, however, perpetuates the connotations of the word "black" or "dark" with things negative. The business meaning of Black Friday is a very good thing.)
Like those found in many other countries, Thanksgiving is a harvest festival for the United States. Although a little late in the season, Thanksgiving is a celebration of the season of AUTUMN, with multi-colored tree leaves, ears of corn, squash and dried gourds. It colors are those of Fall: oranges, reds, goldenyellow, and brown. It is also a quasi-religious holiday. It originates from the federal government and does not origin in the Christian Church, although the Pilgrims were Christians who left England under religious persecution. And the holiday fits into the ideal of the USA as predominantly a "Christian" nation. As such, it is a day of prayer.
Above all it is a day of food. The traditional Thanksgiving feast is a very lavish meal with turkey, potatoes, gravy, yams, cranberries, beans, bread and pumpkin pie. It is usually very heavy in starchy foods. There is a whole variety of regional side-dishes to accompany the turkey.
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