Page 9 - AreaNewsletters "Dec 2020" issue

H OL I D A Y S
H OL I D A Y
Traditions and Symbols of Christmas
By Ree Thompson
For our family, Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth and God’s unspeakable gift to the world. That celebration helps to shape the traditions that keep our family connected in a special way during this season of joy. It is always a wonderful time that brings our family together as we reach out to others.
The precise origin of assigning December 25 as the birth date of Jesus is unclear. One widespread
explanation of the origin of this date is that it was the Christianizing of the dies solis invicti nati (“day of the birth of the unconquered sun”). This was a popular holiday in the Roman Empire that celebrated the winter solstice as a symbol of the resurgence of the sun, the casting away of winter and the heralding of the rebirth of spring and summer.
Christmas has recently become more of a secular holiday today. We nd it marked by an elaborate exchange of gifts, a mythical Santa Claus, Christmas trees, lights, cookies, ornaments, toy drives, hot chocolate, Elf on the Shelf, stockings hung by the re, candy canes, Christmas carols and lots of family time. It has become such a successful and expensive holiday that stores have Christmas paraphernalia out and ready to purchase in September.
Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also celebrated during this time of the year. Whatever your reason for enjoying and celebrating, make it special and make memories that will carry you throughout the year until the next December arrives and you start all over again. 5
Town of Castle Rock Holiday Event Festival Park Starlight Market
9 Castle Rock “AreaNewsletters • December 2020