Reconciling Holiday Traditions

[ksmybuttons]

I was raised in the Christian faith. Went to church, was confirmed, met my days of obligation until I was 18.

I no longer believe in any one religion. I just don't believe that believing is really that important. It is all a mystery and I don't agonize over whether or not there is a God.

I put up a tree, decorated with my favorite ornaments which include angels. We do an advent calendar as preparation for the holiday. We celebrate Santa Claus (which I have explained to my son, is the celebration of the spirit of love and caring). We light a menorah (I tell him the story of Hanukkah), put out a nativity scene (has been in the family for years and I tell him the story of Jesus). We talk about the principles of Kwanza and light candles.

I love the seasonal, traditional music. I prefer songs that are not religious based and love to play them, sing them and listen to them.

We go to the Nutcraker and go to see the lights at the zoo and drive the neighborhoods looking at the wonderful display of "lighting up the winter."

I think of it all as a way to connect with people, celebrate tradition and the changing of the year.

 

[RawHumor]

I've never known anyone who celebrates Kwanza. What do you do for it?

 

[Guest]

I've never known anyone who celebrates Kwanza. What do you do for it?

Watch Football?

 

[RawHumor]

Watch Football?

LMAO I shouldn't laugh at that though.

 

[Guest]

LMAO I shouldn't laugh at that though.

Yeah, but I knew you would...

 

[ksmybuttons]

Kwanza was invented in 1966 to celebrate the African American community.

Principles are:
Dec 26: Umoja (Unity) - To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, and nation.
Dec 27: Kujichaguila (Self Determination) - To create, name and define our lives for ourselves.
Dec 28: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) - To build and maintain our community while working with others to solve problems.
Dec 29: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) - To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses to profit from them together.
Dec 30: Nia (Purpose) - To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community.
Dec 31: Kuumba (Creativity) - To leave our community for beneficial and more beautiful than we inherited it.
Jan 1: Imani (Faith) - To believe in our people, teachers, and leaders and the virtue and victory of our struggle.

We light a different colored candle each morning and talk about the principle and meditate on each one. I think the principles are so very important, no matter the race. My son is very much involved in a multicultural environment so to celebrate it is a way for him to understand all people that are a part of his community. In this situation we also discuss cultural differences and sameness and equality. Not in those words but the spiritual aspects of it and the respect for all people.

 

[modest mouse]

Kwanza always felt arbitrary and abit forced to me. The idea may certainly have its merits but the timing just looks like an alternative to Xmas/hanukah.

ksmybuttons, it sounds like you are exposing your son to a diverse Holiday sceene. Giving him some perspective on what the time may mean to different people. Kudos to you for doing so. The Holidays are what we make of them and you obviously take some care to emphasis warmth and humanity.

Nice thread.

Have a Happy Holiday.

(My favorite is Thanksgiving. No other is close. )

 

[ksmybuttons]

I agree somewhat in your statement about Kwanza, modest mouse. One of my issues with it is that it is exclusionary. I do like the principles and feel I can adapt it to my little white, blond boy. The topics are meditative and a good way to enter the new year. Better than Resolutions as you make no promises but look into yourself on how you can improve.

My mother was a born again Christian. (In a very good way - that is a whole other story.) She was very much into the spiritual/religious side of Christmas and felt that only those who believed could really celebrate it and it was empty for all of those who didn't. Having heard that in my younger years, I had to find a way that would work for me and not be a hypocrite.

Maybe I am, but I have found my way in acknowledging all the beliefs and staying true to my own, too. I treat it much more as a pagan holiday than a religious one, but try to keep the spirituality of the season.