'Tis the season for traditions
What is it about the holidays that begs repetition? Each year we tend to bake the same cookies, serve the same meal, choose the same type of greeting cards, host the same get-togethers. And somehow, instead of feeling bored we actually look forward to it.
In our house, it’s movies – a long list of them. Never mind that the kids have grown up; it’s Snoopy and Magoo. Three iterations of The Grinch and Luther Krank. Bing Crosby and Ralphie’s Red Ryder (with a compass in the stock), '70s Claymation, cheesy and trite – we watch them all. The crowning glory is the Griswolds’ Good-Old-Fashioned-Family-Christmas, naturally on Christmas Day.
All memorized. Yet these glazed eyes remain loyal.
‘Tis the season for tradition with a capital T (and I don't mean tedium). Allegedly deriving from the Latin "traditionem" or "traditio," loosely translated tradition means giving up (um, variety?) or deliverance (from boredom).
Secretly, even Scrooges love traditions. Ours were delivered from all over the world:
The "X" in Xmas isn't meant with disrespect. “X” - the letter “chi” in the Greek alphabet - was also a symbol for Christ in the early Christian church.
Mistletoe has Celtic influence. Ancient Druids believed it had mystical powers and could ward off evil. In Scandinavia, mistletoe symbolizes Frigga, the goddess of love (hence the kisses).
One St. Nick story relates to stockings. Depicted in a 14th century Italian painting by Lorenzetti, a thoughtful Saint Nicholas places gold coins in the stockings of three poor girls to help fund their dowries. Their personals had been hung by the fire to dry.
The yule log probably started with Nordic worship of flora and fire, which they associated with spiritual power. The Nordic "wassail" derives from "ves heill" - to be in good health. In jolly old England, folks went “wassailing” on Christmas Eve, singing carols and drinking to neighbors’ health.
How about a Yule cat? If you visit Iceland beware the Yule Cat – a monstrous creature who devours unlucky little children who didn’t get a new outfit for Christmas.
Sleighbells ringing? Naughty and nice lists? The German god Oden - feared, not revered – flew the winter skies at night observing the townsfolk, deciding who would prosper and who would perish.
A lot nicer is Italy’s “La Befana,” the kindly Christmas witch who delivers presents to children. Imagine a cute little witch ornament on the tree, and look for more about La Befana in Elena Johnson’s Coeur Voice column on Christmas Day.
Hate to call this one traditional, but if you’re facing last-minute shopping, thank Macy's. In 1867, they defied tradition by staying open until midnight Christmas Eve. The protracted shopping season began during WWII, when the military reminded folks to mail early so boxes reached troops on time. (But come on, retailers; do we really need to see holly in October? Give Halloween a chance.)
However and whatever you celebrate, may it be merry.
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” – Bob Hope
Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email Sholeh@cdapress.com.