Searching For Holiday Meaning Online
Amid all the commercial clatter, it's easy to overlook the fact that not all holiday traditions revolve around a fat little man bearing gifts. Everywhere this is a season of celebrations and festivals, which makes it a good time to look beyond our culture and take a peek at the traditions of others.
A good place to start is the Holiday Fun Facts page which offers a glimpse of seasonal celebrations, past and present, from around the world. For example, did you know that during the Tibetan Celebration of the Dying Year dancers dress in masks to frighten evil spirits away from the coming year?
Closer to home, there is also variety in the way the season is celebrated. Our Jewish neighbors are in the midst of the eight days of Hanukkah, which commemorate the miraculous burning of an oil lamp in the Jerusalem temple following the Maccabees' revolt in 165 b.c.e. To understand who the Maccabees were and the significance of the miracle - or if you just want to know more about dreidels and menorahs - visit the Hanukkah - Festival of Lights page for information on the serious and fun aspects of the holiday.
Kwanzaa, a festival of more recent origin, is celebrated in the African-American community. Since the non-denominational event began in 1966 it has steadily gained popularity. A major emphasis of the festival, which begins December 26 and lasts through the end of the year, is the unity of the family. It also offers the community an opportunity to focus on spiritual and social concerns while celebrating African heritage.
Many Christians also choose to make the season a time for spiritual contemplation. One popular Christmas morning tradition centers around a reading of the original Christmas story. The Web offers several versions - including one in Pig Latin. However, I think you'll be happier with the World Wide Study Bible. The relevant verses are Luke 2:1-20.
Other stories have also become traditional Christmas reading. O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi" is the kind of tearjerker you couldn't stand any other time of year. But, come the end of December, we seem to become a bunch of emotional gooey butter cakes who can't wait to read the story again. You can find a copy along with other Christmas classics at the America.Net Internet Services site.
Another holiday favorite is The Grinch That Stole Christmas. The animated Dr. Seuss tale narrated by Boris Karloff has become something of a tradition - fixation might be a better word - for many folks. If you're one of them, you won't want to miss the The WWW Grinch Quiz!. It's great holiday fun for Seuss fan -- which, after all &endash; includes almost all of us.
Happy holidays!
