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the_sn0wygooseThere is a dichotomy each November and December, between how half the world celebrates holidays that are sacred to all sects of Christianity, Jews, and secularists; that is to either feast wildly before the 25th of December or with sobriety fast until the New Year and / or the 6th of January.
We in the “west”, that is to say for those whose tradition’s stems in Europe from the influence of the Catholic Church, is a time of excess of food, sweets, and drink of all kinds and varieties. A time of wild feasting and parties for days and often before December 25; and a time to give lots of foods to the needy for one day for our benefit to feel a sense of charity.
We are taught that Santa Claus (Père Noel, Father Christmas, or Saint Nicholas – with or without his helpers like Schwarzer Peter or Zwart Petrus) visits every child on the whole world in one night. And so we shower gifts on people, from loved ones to those we tolerate; and generally in excess leading on to that one day.
Even the Jews are not immune to this phenomenon, particularly in America since the counsel of Rabbi’s in 1896 decided that Chanukah should deserve as equal celebratorial footing as Christmas. And so, the menorah is lit for 8 days with prayer and reflection; seven days of small gifts, family celebrations, and gatherings at the synagogue with one day of great gifts!
Lastly, one may think of secularists not wishing any celebrations considering them philosophically and financially incongruent. Yet I hear and read of gatherings on the 25 of December for secularists to celebrate the human mind – with feasting and gift giving.
In contrast of those in the “east”, that is to say for those whose tradition’s stems in Europe from the influence of the Orthodox Church, it is quite the opposed. Yes, Father Frost with his relatives (like the snow-girl, his grand-daughter) takes a slower circuitous route to visit children, but until this time there is no feasting; only fasting. No wild drinks, but water, tea, or coffee. It is a time of reflection and of gratitude for what a person possess in their lives. Some have argued that this tradition was caused by 70 years of communist rule; and some believe that this was the way for a thousand years before and will be for a thousand years in the future.
But, when Father Frost does arrive – in Bosnia, Russia, Slovenia, Ukraine, ect. – on New Year’s eve, it is more precious; the ending of the old and the beginning of the new with strength of spirit in joyous celebration. Then on to Armenia, Greece, Turkey, ect. – on the 6th of January with the same spirit and celebrations.
To the Jews of the east, it is a minor celebration with some interesting food and small gifts.
As I enter this time of feast or fast, I am filled with questions. They are not as to why both traditions exist, but why such extremes in both? And more over, what can we learn from both “western” and “eastern” traditions? Neither answer seems forthcoming.
Therefore I shall have my Turkish coffee and biscotti, which was a gift, and contemplate more.
We in the “west”, that is to say for those whose tradition’s stems in Europe from the influence of the Catholic Church, is a time of excess of food, sweets, and drink of all kinds and varieties. A time of wild feasting and parties for days and often before December 25; and a time to give lots of foods to the needy for one day for our benefit to feel a sense of charity.
We are taught that Santa Claus (Père Noel, Father Christmas, or Saint Nicholas – with or without his helpers like Schwarzer Peter or Zwart Petrus) visits every child on the whole world in one night. And so we shower gifts on people, from loved ones to those we tolerate; and generally in excess leading on to that one day.
Even the Jews are not immune to this phenomenon, particularly in America since the counsel of Rabbi’s in 1896 decided that Chanukah should deserve as equal celebratorial footing as Christmas. And so, the menorah is lit for 8 days with prayer and reflection; seven days of small gifts, family celebrations, and gatherings at the synagogue with one day of great gifts!
Lastly, one may think of secularists not wishing any celebrations considering them philosophically and financially incongruent. Yet I hear and read of gatherings on the 25 of December for secularists to celebrate the human mind – with feasting and gift giving.
In contrast of those in the “east”, that is to say for those whose tradition’s stems in Europe from the influence of the Orthodox Church, it is quite the opposed. Yes, Father Frost with his relatives (like the snow-girl, his grand-daughter) takes a slower circuitous route to visit children, but until this time there is no feasting; only fasting. No wild drinks, but water, tea, or coffee. It is a time of reflection and of gratitude for what a person possess in their lives. Some have argued that this tradition was caused by 70 years of communist rule; and some believe that this was the way for a thousand years before and will be for a thousand years in the future.
But, when Father Frost does arrive – in Bosnia, Russia, Slovenia, Ukraine, ect. – on New Year’s eve, it is more precious; the ending of the old and the beginning of the new with strength of spirit in joyous celebration. Then on to Armenia, Greece, Turkey, ect. – on the 6th of January with the same spirit and celebrations.
To the Jews of the east, it is a minor celebration with some interesting food and small gifts.
As I enter this time of feast or fast, I am filled with questions. They are not as to why both traditions exist, but why such extremes in both? And more over, what can we learn from both “western” and “eastern” traditions? Neither answer seems forthcoming.
Therefore I shall have my Turkish coffee and biscotti, which was a gift, and contemplate more.
