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Holiday wishes to you and yours
Nise Note's
By Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
December 08, 2004
I recently read an article in a newspaper very similar to this one from a town very similar to Marlin. The article was about a woman who wished to turn the small town into a “Merry Christmas Town.” Disheartened by the lack of “Merry Christmas” anywhere in town — everything either said Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings — she began a crusade to put Christ back into the Christmas season.
Being a Christian, I was pleased to see such an act taking place somewhere in the world today. With the news today filled with stories about the taking of prayer out of schools, or the controversy over the words “under God” in our pledge of allegiance, I too have quickly become disheartened by things in our nation today.
While in the article it stated that “the concept of a Merry Christmas Town does not place Christmas above Hannukah or Kwanzaa” but would instead make people “free to recognize the religious holiday, without fear of legal action,” I still found myself hesitating ever so slightly over placing one religious concept over others in an entire town.
I am not going to go into any debate over the separation of church and state, because it’s a quagmire of loopholes and varying opinions. Nor do I totally ignore that concept either.
This town is quite possibly primarily filled with Christians, and the idea of it being a town that focuses on the birth of Christ is appealing to a large majority of citizens. I’d be willing to bet on that being fact, actually.
Nonetheless, holidays of Hannukah and Kwanzaa are just as valid as Christmas, and the greeting of “Seasons Greetings” and “Happy Holidays” is far more inclusive and - dare I say - proper. Obviously officials in that town had previously come to that conclusion themselves, and I personally agree with that feeling.
I have friends who celebrate Hannukah and others that celebrate Kwanzaa. Thankfully, they are filled with endless patience at this time of year. They ignore when I slip up and wish them a Merry Christmas, or I send them a very religious Christmas card as holiday greetings. They are honestly far more tolerant than they should have to be.
While I love the idea of a “Merry Christmas Town” on a personal level, on a more professional level I frown. Not when there are equally warm wishes to be shared that does not leave out other holidays — such as the aforementioned Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
Being admittedly ignorant to both of these holidays I decided to do a little research on both.
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah or Hannukah) officially began this year at sunset on Dec. 7.
The following comes from History Channel.com:
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. In Hebrew, the word “Hanukkah” means “dedication.”
The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ 165 B.C.E. victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods.
In 168 B.C.E. the Jews’ holy Temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus. Some Jews were afraid of the Greek soldiers and obeyed them, but most were angry and decided to fight back.
The fighting began in Modiin, a village not far from Jerusalem. A Greek officer and soldiers assembled the villagers, asking them to bow to an idol and eat the flesh of a pig, activities forbidden to Jews. The officer asked Mattathias, a Jewish High Priest, to take part in the ceremony. He refused, and another villager stepped forward and offered to do it instead. Mattathias became outraged, took out his sword and killed the man, then killed the officer. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked and killed the soldiers. Mattathias’ family went into hiding in the nearby mountains, where many other Jews who wanted to fight the Greeks joined them. They attacked the Greek soldiers whenever possible.
About a year after the rebellion started, Mattathias died. Before his death, he put his brave son Judah Maccabee in charge of the growing army. After three years of fighting, the Jews defeated the Greek army, despite having fewer men and weapons.
Judah Maccabee and his soldiers went to the holy Temple, and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple, and when they were finished, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. They looked everywhere for oil, and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day.
Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit. Today Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles in a menorah every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle.
Kwanzaa is a seven day holiday that begins on Dec. 26 and runs until New Years.
The following is from MelaNet.com:
KWANZAA, the African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits”, Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. Kwanzaa seeks to enforce a connectedness to African cultural identity, provide a focal point for the gathering of African peoples, and to reflect upon the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, that have sustained Africans. Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa was born out of the whirlwind of social and political changes of the sixties decade. The sixties represent one of many eras during which the African and African-American struggle for freedom and self-identity reached its historical peak, spawning multiple revolutionary movements.
By creating Kwanzaa, African-Americans sought to rectify the cultural and economic exploitation perpetrated against them during the months of October, November, and December (the Christmas season). During this season, corporate America typically ignored the quality of life concerns of African-Americans, yet encouraged participation in the commercialism of Christmas.
Additionally, African-Americans did not observe a holiday that was specific to their needs. A review of the major holidays celebrated in the United States would reveal that not one related specifically to the growth and development of African-Americans. The development of Kwanzaa assumed a reassessment, reclaiming, recommitment, remembrance, retrieval, resumption, resurrection, and rejuvenation of the “Way of Life” principles recognized by African-Americans. These principles have strengthened African-Americans during our worldwide sojourn.
Today, Kwanzaa is recognized by millions throughout America and the world. It is celebrated often in community settings provided by homes, churches, mosques, temples, community centers, schools, and places of work. Kwanzaa allows those celebrating it to celebrate the season without shame or fear of embracing their history, their culture, and themselves.
These holidays of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa deserve everyone’s respect — just as much as Christmas. You don’t have to celebrate these holidays to respect them, you just have to acknowledge that they are just as valid as the holiday you DO celebrate. (Assuming you choose to celebrate any holiday at all.)
A “Merry Christmas Town” is something I find to be a very lovely idea, but I feel that on a very personal level. On another level, I don’t like how it leaves out the beliefs of others. It may not be intended to do so, but it is difficult to not feel like it really does.
I admit that my greeting to others this season will primarily be “Merry Christmas” — but really all I wish to everyone is a Happy Holiday season... be it that you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza or just the fact that it’s the end of another year.
Nise Note's
By Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
December 08, 2004
I recently read an article in a newspaper very similar to this one from a town very similar to Marlin. The article was about a woman who wished to turn the small town into a “Merry Christmas Town.” Disheartened by the lack of “Merry Christmas” anywhere in town — everything either said Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings — she began a crusade to put Christ back into the Christmas season.
Being a Christian, I was pleased to see such an act taking place somewhere in the world today. With the news today filled with stories about the taking of prayer out of schools, or the controversy over the words “under God” in our pledge of allegiance, I too have quickly become disheartened by things in our nation today.
While in the article it stated that “the concept of a Merry Christmas Town does not place Christmas above Hannukah or Kwanzaa” but would instead make people “free to recognize the religious holiday, without fear of legal action,” I still found myself hesitating ever so slightly over placing one religious concept over others in an entire town.
I am not going to go into any debate over the separation of church and state, because it’s a quagmire of loopholes and varying opinions. Nor do I totally ignore that concept either.
This town is quite possibly primarily filled with Christians, and the idea of it being a town that focuses on the birth of Christ is appealing to a large majority of citizens. I’d be willing to bet on that being fact, actually.
Nonetheless, holidays of Hannukah and Kwanzaa are just as valid as Christmas, and the greeting of “Seasons Greetings” and “Happy Holidays” is far more inclusive and - dare I say - proper. Obviously officials in that town had previously come to that conclusion themselves, and I personally agree with that feeling.
I have friends who celebrate Hannukah and others that celebrate Kwanzaa. Thankfully, they are filled with endless patience at this time of year. They ignore when I slip up and wish them a Merry Christmas, or I send them a very religious Christmas card as holiday greetings. They are honestly far more tolerant than they should have to be.
While I love the idea of a “Merry Christmas Town” on a personal level, on a more professional level I frown. Not when there are equally warm wishes to be shared that does not leave out other holidays — such as the aforementioned Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
Being admittedly ignorant to both of these holidays I decided to do a little research on both.
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah or Hannukah) officially began this year at sunset on Dec. 7.
The following comes from History Channel.com:
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. In Hebrew, the word “Hanukkah” means “dedication.”
The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ 165 B.C.E. victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods.
In 168 B.C.E. the Jews’ holy Temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus. Some Jews were afraid of the Greek soldiers and obeyed them, but most were angry and decided to fight back.
The fighting began in Modiin, a village not far from Jerusalem. A Greek officer and soldiers assembled the villagers, asking them to bow to an idol and eat the flesh of a pig, activities forbidden to Jews. The officer asked Mattathias, a Jewish High Priest, to take part in the ceremony. He refused, and another villager stepped forward and offered to do it instead. Mattathias became outraged, took out his sword and killed the man, then killed the officer. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked and killed the soldiers. Mattathias’ family went into hiding in the nearby mountains, where many other Jews who wanted to fight the Greeks joined them. They attacked the Greek soldiers whenever possible.
About a year after the rebellion started, Mattathias died. Before his death, he put his brave son Judah Maccabee in charge of the growing army. After three years of fighting, the Jews defeated the Greek army, despite having fewer men and weapons.
Judah Maccabee and his soldiers went to the holy Temple, and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple, and when they were finished, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. They looked everywhere for oil, and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day.
Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit. Today Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles in a menorah every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle.
Kwanzaa is a seven day holiday that begins on Dec. 26 and runs until New Years.
The following is from MelaNet.com:
KWANZAA, the African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits”, Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. Kwanzaa seeks to enforce a connectedness to African cultural identity, provide a focal point for the gathering of African peoples, and to reflect upon the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, that have sustained Africans. Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa was born out of the whirlwind of social and political changes of the sixties decade. The sixties represent one of many eras during which the African and African-American struggle for freedom and self-identity reached its historical peak, spawning multiple revolutionary movements.
By creating Kwanzaa, African-Americans sought to rectify the cultural and economic exploitation perpetrated against them during the months of October, November, and December (the Christmas season). During this season, corporate America typically ignored the quality of life concerns of African-Americans, yet encouraged participation in the commercialism of Christmas.
Additionally, African-Americans did not observe a holiday that was specific to their needs. A review of the major holidays celebrated in the United States would reveal that not one related specifically to the growth and development of African-Americans. The development of Kwanzaa assumed a reassessment, reclaiming, recommitment, remembrance, retrieval, resumption, resurrection, and rejuvenation of the “Way of Life” principles recognized by African-Americans. These principles have strengthened African-Americans during our worldwide sojourn.
Today, Kwanzaa is recognized by millions throughout America and the world. It is celebrated often in community settings provided by homes, churches, mosques, temples, community centers, schools, and places of work. Kwanzaa allows those celebrating it to celebrate the season without shame or fear of embracing their history, their culture, and themselves.
These holidays of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa deserve everyone’s respect — just as much as Christmas. You don’t have to celebrate these holidays to respect them, you just have to acknowledge that they are just as valid as the holiday you DO celebrate. (Assuming you choose to celebrate any holiday at all.)
A “Merry Christmas Town” is something I find to be a very lovely idea, but I feel that on a very personal level. On another level, I don’t like how it leaves out the beliefs of others. It may not be intended to do so, but it is difficult to not feel like it really does.
I admit that my greeting to others this season will primarily be “Merry Christmas” — but really all I wish to everyone is a Happy Holiday season... be it that you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza or just the fact that it’s the end of another year.
