Page 38 - 200912 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - December 2009

38 Christmas Traditions Christmas Traditions 38 Christmas Traditions family Maccabee led a revolt against the Greek Christmas Traditions Continued from Page 36 Syrians due to the policies of Syrian King Continued from Page 36 Antiochus IV which were aimed at nullifying the Jewish faith. Part of this strategem included Poinsettias Poinsettias changing the Beit HaMikdash - the Holy Continues Temple in Jerusalem - to a Greek temple Continues complete with idolatry. Led by Judah Though the other children mocked him, Maccabee, the Jews won victory over the when the leaves were laid at the manger, a Syrians in 165 BC and reclaimed their temple. beautiful star-shaped flower appeared on each After cleansing the temple and branch. The bright red petals, often mistaken preparing for its rededication, it was found there for flowers, are actually the upper leaves of the was not enough oil to light the N'er Tamid, an plant. oil lamp present in Jewish houses of worship which represents eternal light. Once lit, the The Candy cane copywriter Robert L. May wrote the story of lamp should never be extinguished. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer in 1939, and A search of the temple produced a small 2.4 million copies were handed out that year. vial of undefiled oil -- enough for only one day. Despite the wartime paper shortage, over 6 Miraculously, the Temple lights burned for eight million copies had been distributed by 1946. days until a new supply of oil was brought. In May drew in part on the story "The Ugly remembrance of this miracle, one candle of the Duckling" and in part from his own experiences Menorah - an eight branched candelabra - is lit as an often taunted, small, frail youth to create each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, the story of the misfit reindeer. Though Rollo which means dedication, is a Hebrew word and Reginald were considered, May settled on when translated is commonly spelled Hanukah, Rudolph as his reindeer's name. Chanukah, and Hannukah due to different Writing in verse as a series of rhyming translations and customs. It was not long after Europeans began couplets, May tested the story as he went along The tradition of receiving gifts on each using Christmas trees that special decorations on his 4-year old daughter Barbara, who loved of the eight days of Hanukkah is relatively new were used to adorn them. Food items, such as the story and due in part to the celebration's proximity to candies and cookies, were used predominately Sadly, Robert Mays wife died around the Christmas season. and straight white candy sticks were one of the the time he was creating Rudolph, leaving Mays confections used as ornamentation. Legend has deeply in debt due to medical bills. However, he Kwanzaa it that during the 17th century, craftsmen created was able to persuade Sewell Avery, the white sticks of candy in the shape of Montgomery Ward's corporate president, to turn shephreds' crooks at the suggestion of the the copyright over to him in January 1947, thus choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in ensuring May's financial security. Germany. May's story "Rudolph the Red-Nosed The candy treats were given to children Reindeer" was printed commercially in 1947 to keep them quiet during ceremonies at the and in 1948 a nine-minute cartoon of the story living creche, or Nativity scene, and the custom was shown in theaters. When May's brother-in- of passing out the candy crooks at such law, songwriter Johnny Marks, wrote the lyrics ceremonies soon spread throughout Europe. and melody for the song "Rudolph the Red- Doctor Maulana Karenga, a Professor at According to the National Nosed Reindeer", the Rudolph phenomenon California State University in Long Beach, Confectioner's Association, in 1847 German was born. Turned down by many musical artists California, created Kwanzaa in 1966. It is a immigrant August Imgard used the candy cane afraid to contend with the legend of Santa holiday celebrated by millions of African- to decorate a Christmas tree in Wooster, Ohio. Claus, the song was recorded by Gene Autry in Americans around the world, encouraging them More than 50 years later, Bob McCormack of 1949 at the urging of Autry's wife. The song to remember their African heritage and consider Albany, Georgia supposedly made candy canes sold two million copies that year, going on to their current place in America today. Kwanzaa as treats for family, friends and local become one of the best-selling songs of all time, is celebrated fom December 26 to January 1 and shopkeepers. McCormack's brother-in-law, second only to Bing Crosby's "White involves seven principles called Nguzo Saba: Catholic priest Gregory Keller, invented a Christmas". The 1964 television special about Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self- machine in the 1950s that automated the Rudolph, narrated by Burl Ives, remains a determination), Ujima (Collective Work and production of candy canes, thus eliminating the holiday favorite to this day and Rudolph himself Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative usual laborious process of creating the treats has become a much-loved Christmas icon. Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba and the popularity of the candy cane grew. (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). More recent explanations of the candy Hanukkah In the Kwanzaa ritual, seven candles cane's symbolism hold that the color white called Mishumaa Saba are placed in a Kinara, or represents Christ's purity, the red the blood he candleholder, which is then set upon the shed, and the presence of three red stripes the Mikeka, a mat usually made of straw. Holy Trinity. While factual evidence for these Three green candles are placed on the notions does not exist, they have become left, three red candles on the right and a black increasingly common and at times are even candle in the center, each candle representing represented as fact. Regardless, the candy cane one of the seven principles of the celebration. remains a favorite holiday treat and decoration. One candle is lit each day of the Kwanzaa celebration, beginning from left to right The Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer colors of Kwanzaa ~ black, red and green ~ also have a special significance. Black symbolizes The Chicago-based Montgomery Ward the faces of the African people, Red symbolizes company, department store operators, had been Commencing on the 25th day of the the blood they have shed, and Green represents purchasing and distributing children's coloring Hebrew month Kislev, Hanukkah is a Jewish hope and the color of the motherland. The name books as Christmas gifts for their customers for holiday commemorating the rededication of the itself - Kwanzaa - is a Swahili word meaning several years. In 1939, Montgomery Ward Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration "fruits of the harvest." tapped one of their own employees to create a by the Syrians. book for them, thus saving money. 34-year old In 168 BC, members of the Jewish JOYEUX NOEL!