‘TIS THE SEASON
"...[T]he night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness [and] put on the armor of light..." - Romans 13:12
Let’s take a breather at this special time of year and look at:
Celebrations That Utilize Light
Christianity: Advent
Advent Wreath
Advent 2024: Sunday December 1 to December 24
For Christians, the four Sundays (and weekdays) before December 25th make up the season of Advent. This period emphasizes the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. These themes help Christians prepare their hearts and minds for the celebration of Christmas, which commemorates Christ’s coming as the light of the world, brightening the darkness of the old ways of sin and suffering.
During Advent, Christians engage in reflection and prayer. Some participate in the tradition of lighting the four candles on the Advent wreath, one on each of the four Sundays prior to Christmas.
Christianity: Feast of Saint Lucy
December 13th
Saint Lucy, whose name means "light", was born in Syracuse, Sicily and was martyred at the age of 20 on December 13th in 303 C.E. during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian.
According to legend, Lucy would carry food and water to Christians who had been forced to hide out in the catacombs of Rome. Those underground caves were dark and she needed her hands free to carry supplies. So she constructed a wreath of candles on top of her head to light the way.
Her fiancé reported to the Roman authorities that she was a Christian when he learned that she had decided to remain unmarried and dedicate her life to Christ and the poor—and to give her significantly sizable inheritance to those in poverty. Because Lucy refused the Roman demand that she recant her faith in God, she was killed with a sword by a Roman executioner.
Scandinavian countries have a special way of celebrating this feast that contains traces of that legend. A young girl dons a white dress and red sash (the symbol of martyrdom), and she wears a crown of lit candles on her head. In Sweden, girls dressed as Lucia also carry special breads and cookies in procession as songs are sung.
The origins of St. Lucy's Day are linked to the winter solstice. Under the old Julian calendar, before the Gregorian calendar reform, this solstice fell on the13th of December. In the Northern Hemisphere, the moment of the winter solstice is truly a celestial turning point. Its eve is the longest night of the year, and has the fewest daylight hours. Going forward from the solstice, however, the nights begin to get shorter and the days longer — bringing a welcomed return of the light.
Judaism: Hanukkah
Menorah
Hanukkah 2024: Evening of Wednesday December 25, 2024 to Thursday January 2, 2025
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is an 8-day festival of lights whose dates vary because it is always on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which is a lunisolar calendar. It marks the miraculous victory of the Maccabees, who were Jewish freedom fighters, over the Seleucidian Greek occupiers in the year 164 BCE.
After they recaptured Jerusalem’s Holy Temple, which had been converted into a place of idol worship, the Maccabees searched for pure oil with which to light the Temple menorah.
They found just enough to burn for one day, but miraculously it burned for eight days until more oil could be brought.
On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, families light one candle on special menorahs. Many Jews utilize an oil menorah that uses olive oil with wicks or candles. Each night they add another flame, until on the eighth night eight flames are burning brightly. Typically, during the lighting of each day’s candle, blessings are recited, and the menorah is placed in a window for all passersby to see.
This is a time for Jewish people to rededicate themselves to God. Just like the miraculous jar of holy oil, they too are called to be shining lights in a dark world during this holiday season.
Hinduism: Diwali
Diya Lamps
Diwali 2024: Thursday, October 31 to Friday November 1
Diwali is the Festival of Lights, celebrated every year in autumn, usually falling between October and November.
Diwali, also spelled Divali, is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The rows are created using clay oil lamps called diyas. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.
Though Diwali traditions vary according to region and religion, the myths and historical stories behind the holiday share themes of justice and liberation. This festival highlights the importance of harmony, and the victory of good over evil.
Kwanzaa
Kinara
Kwanzaa 2024: Thursday December 26, 2024 to Wednesday January 1, 2025
Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, and anyone can celebrate it, regardless of their religion.
Although Kwanzaa is celebrated immediately after Christmas, it is neither related to nor intended to supplant the Christian celebration.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 in Los Angeles, California by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Black Studies at California State University at Long Beach. Kwanzaa, which is derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning first fruits, is based on African harvest festivals.
It is a seven-day cultural festival that joins communitarian values and practices of Continental African and African American culture.
During the holiday, families and communities organize activities around the seven principles of Kwanzaa. In homes on each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara. Then they discuss one of the seven principles, which are:
Umoja (Unity),
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination),
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility),
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics),
Nia (Purpose),
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)
We hope you will be inspired by these messages of light
overcoming darkness, and good overcoming evil!
Live as children of light! - Ephesians 5:8b
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We, at C:WED, wish you blessings at this holy time of year!
We also want to offer our deepest gratitude to all of you who have been supporting us in many ways since we began in March, 2024. Reading our blogposts is a major form of support; as is sharing your talents, such as website and artistic design, writing skills, researching and sending us articles, quotes, and cartoons; and offering us monetary support!
Thanks for bringing us joy—hope we have brought joy to you!
