SOLSTICE “SUN STANDS STILL”
The Winter Solstice is perhaps the most ancient holiday. Anthropologists suggest it may go back 30,000 years. When daylight diminished days shorter and colder people built bon fires and had rituals to induce or seduce the Sun to come back and bring light and life back to earth. Tradition of decorating our homes and trees with lights is passed down from those ancient bon fires of calling for the light.
In ancient countries and civilizations they built sacred structures to welcome the light. Stonehenge and other henges were arranged to receive early rays midwinter sun
BRUG NA BOINE New Grange, Ireland,
AN LIAMH GREINE “Cave of the Sun” there is man made cave dark all year but around Winter Solstice light from rising sun passes through narrow slot above doorway and sweeps down 80 foot long passageway into the heart of the central chamber striking back wall it illuminates a series of intricately carved spirals and solar discs… for 17 minutes then dark again.
Holly became symbol of male plant with bright red berries and sharp prickly leaves while Ivy, clinging and gentle perceived as female.
Greek Myth gives story of the girl who danced before the god Dionysus with ardor of a flame – only to fall dead at his feet. Dionysus moved by her passion placed her spirit and thus her name on the plant which bore her name (nature) it clung and embraced everything to which is came close.
NATIVE AMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS
In CHACO CANYON in New Mexico a Native American Shaman sat on roof top for days/nights until he felt it was solstice “SUN STANDS STILL” now we find Solstice sunrise creates shape of two daggers flanking a spiral cared into a cliff face.
Also Zuni SHALAKO Hopi have Sun-Rites Sun Chiefs
At Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico light of rising sun crawls down steps of Kukulkan pyramid forming shape of a serpent (a sacred animal to ancients).
ASIAN CIVILIZATIONS/CULTURES
Solstice is also in China, Dec 22nd Emperor led annual sacrifices to the god in Temple of Heaven. When monarchy fell in 1912 this ended.
In Japan known as TOJI marks time when days grow longer/ nights shorter sacred to farmers. People take holidays, light huge bonfires encourage return of the sun and attend ceremonies at Temple to celebrate their ancestors.
When we lived in Tokyo, Japan 1974 we had Banzai Tree as Christmas Tree.
In Taiwan, blend of China and Japan bigger reception. Dish called “Tang Choeh I or “Winter Balls” served red or white, as cherries – Big Feast.
Roman God Saturn associated with Midwinter Roman Saturnalia Festival. Roman presence in Britain from second century B.C.E. Romans suppressed many of older practices of the Celts. Solstice part of Celtic Wheel/Calendar. Saturnalia developed from older rituals of Midwinter into riotous assemblage of fun, laughter and gift giving. From this we have gift giving. Saturn was Roman god of Agriculture.
SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS
CHANUKAH is Jewish Festival of Dedication. After years of oppressive occupation by Assyrian rulers, 168-65 rebellion led by Priest Mattathias and his son Judas the Maccabee (the Hammer) over-through rule of Antiochus IV (Epiphanes=”the risen god”). In rededicating the Temple found one cruise of oil that lasted for 8 days and 8 nights. Dedication of Light. Only Jewish festival associated with war and only one not in Bible, Original Testament.
Rabbis of School of Hillel wrote in Talmud that lighting of another candle each evening of Chanukah symbolizes that we should strive to increase light and joy in the world.
RAMADAN is Moslem time of a month of purification and dedication. Fasting, giving alms to poor, up to 20% is given away… Dedicate to God.
KWANZAA, African American Observance began 40 years ago by Dr. Manlengo Kareng. Based on ancient history and culture from African countries, the roots of African Americans… to Celebrate themselves.
Seven Principles and guidelines for year-round living:
1. Unity – gathering together for communal activity, ritual, sharing
2. Self Determination
3. Collective Work and Responsibility
4. Cooperative Economics
5. Purpose
6. Creativity
7. Faith
Number Seven significance African Culture, KWANZAA 7 letters. Last 7 days or the year. 7 Principles.
DIWALI – HINDU FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
Bringing in the Yule. In Sweden the Midwinter festival begins December 13th “Little Yule” also known as “St. Lucia’s Day” when young queen Lucia came out of the sea with crown of candles. Now every year “Queen Lucy” chosen from among young women of villages of Sweden and in US towns and cities.
MITHRAS, God of the Morning
Originally and Iranian/Persian deity dating back to sixth century B.C.E. Like Apollo, Mithras was solar deity sent to earth by the supreme God of Light to slay a huge bull whose blood was source of all fertility on earth. Roman Emperor Aurelian declared Dec 25 Mithras birthday. Constantine follower of Mithras until he adopted Christianity after his conversion.
Now enters another theme of Christmas. Santa Claus. Complex origins.
One is of Saint Nicholas of Patara, a third-century Bishop of Myra, near present-day village Demre in Asia Minor, born in Turkey in 270 C.E. he became well known for his anonymous gifts to the poor. Tradition has it he left gifts of money or food in shoes of children, sneaking in at night.
Good Old Saint Nick, 1200 years later Middle Ages.
Nagogeorgus the author of Latin Vita Sant Nicolai
The mothers all their children on the eve do cause to fast,
And when they every one at night in sense sleep are cast,
Both apples, nuts and prayers they bring and other things beside, As caps, and shoes, and petticoats, with kirtles they hide, And in the morning found, they say: “St. Nicholas this brought.”
From a verse of: The Longparish Mummers’ Play
In Comes I, Old Father Christmas. Welcome – or welcome not,
I hope Old Father Christmas Will never be forgot.
The ancient Shaman’s drum and bells are recalled by Santa’s jangling reindeer harness.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
0 Christmas Day: Birthday of Jesus, Mithras, Attis, Aion, Horus, Dionysus and the Unconquered Sun.
1 Day 1 St. Stephen’s Day, Boxing Day, Day of the Wren
2 Day 2 Mother Night and St. John’s Day: (Frau Holle-Goddess)
3 Day 3 Holy Innocent’s Day: Childremass
4 Day 4 Feast of Fools
5 Day 5 Bringing In The Boar: “Then the grim boar’s head frowned on high, Crested with bay and rosemary.” Sir Walter Scott
6 Day 6 New Year’s Eve: Hogmanay… Scottish tradition more import
7 Day 7 New Year’s Day: The Kalends of January- riotous fun festival
8 Day 8 Snow Day: pay respects to snow
9 Day 9 Evergreen Day
10 Day 10 St. Distaff’s Day William Shakespeare
”Some say that ever gainst that season comes wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated, the bird of dawning singeth all night long.”
11 Day 11 Eve of Epiphany, Festival of Three Kings
12 Day 12 Epiphany Twelfth Night Calends of January
Saint Nicholas Day, December 6th honors Nicholas, pilgrimage to Jerusalem at 17 sailing home beset perfect storm off coast of Lycia near Myra Nick prayed storm abated he at once found church to give thanks for safe delivery.
Old Bishop retiring, having convocation one of his people had vision in which next day new Bishop would appear named Nicholas
“Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born, If He’s not born in thee, thy soul is all forlorn.” Angelus Silesius
All of the Traditions of Light and Holidays and Festivals bring us to one thing, the birth of the baby Jesus, the Christ Child, born in us today.
Jelaluddin Rumi:
“CHRIST IS THE POPULATION OF THE WORLD,
AND EVERY OBJECT AS WELL.
THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HYPOCRISY
WHY USE BITTER SOUP FOR HEALING
WHEN SWEET WATER IS EVERYWHERE?”
THE LITERATURE OF CHRISTMAS: GIFT O MAGI
CHARLES DICKENS’ “CHRISTMAS CAROL”
WHAT I DIDN’T KNOW TIL LIVED IN ENGLAND WAS THAT IN OCTOBER 1843 DICKENS CALLED UPON WRITERS AND JOURNALISTS LIKE HIMSELF TO WRITE ABOUT AND EXPOSE UNFAIR PRACTICES AND CUSTOMS/TRADITIONS THAT WERE COOMONLY ACCEPTED FOR CHILDREN AND POOR, SUCH AS CHILDREN & ADULTS WORKING IN POOR HOUSE LIKE SLAVES
SERIES OF STORIES THE LIKES OF OLIVER TWIST , A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND THE CHIMES
WHAT ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
AS WITH OTHER THINGS I ASK HOW DOES IT APPLY OR WORK IN YOUR LIFE?
BIRTH OF LIGHT, AWARENESS, LOVE, HEALING
· ONE THING AT CHRISTMAS HERE IS SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS, WHICH I HAVE COME TO LOVE AND REALLY APPRECIATE
· FOR ONE THING, AFTER KATRINA DISASTER, SALVATION ARMY CAME TO THE RESCUE IN GREAT FORM AND COMPASSION.
·
IN ENGLAND, UNITY SCHOOL OF CHRISTIANITY, WE HELD FOUR RETREATS A YEAR. FOR ONE IN SUMMER WE WERE ASKED BY OFFICERS OF SALVATION ARMY IF THEY COULD DO PRESENTATON OF GRATITUDE MET SANDRA & PAUL IN TEWKSBURY
SANDRA HAD BEEN ILL THOUGHT WAS CANCER CHERRY, LOYAL VOLUNTEER SUGGESTED CALL SILENT UNITY… GOT WELL
· I ASKED OBVIOUS QUESTION, HAVE TROUBLE WITH UNITY METAPHYSICAL/PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY?
· PAUL SAID HE WAS “SALVATIONIST – BUT WHEN HE UNDERSTOOD WE WERE TALKING ABOUT CHRIST WITHIN, SAME CHRIST, SAME GOD, SAME TEAM.
· THEY CAME TO SUMMER RETREAT AT CHELTENHAM HOUSE EDGE OF COTTSWALDS, DID P.P./MUSIC PRESENTATION AND IN THE END WE WERE ALL CRYING TEARS OF JOY…
· HEALING IS CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS IS NOT ABOUT GOD BEING SANTA GRANTING ALL OUR WISHES, PETTY DESIRES
LAST WEEK WE MET GREG MORTENSON
AUTHOR THREE CUPS OF TEA AND NOW
STONES TO SCHOOLS.
GREG DEMONSTRATES MODEL OF CHRISTMAS GIVING … BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY GIRLS, IN AFGANISTAN / PAKISTAN
1. LOVE IS GIVING TO OTHERS,
2. EVEN LOVING YOUR ENEMIES, AS MASTER SAID
3. NOW HAS BUILT 131 SCHOOLS
4. SHOWED PICTURE OF WOMAN WHO BECAME HEALTH CARE WORKER, AND SINCE SHE DID NO DEATHS IN CHILD BIRTH… BEFORE WAS 1 IN 3
DAD … CAROL … VISITED IN U.K.
TOOK THEM TO EAST ANGLIA, WINGFIELD VILLAGE. TOURED ST ANDREWS COLLEGATE CHURCH AND WINGFIELD COLLEGE BUILT 1362
THEN ON DEC 23RD I WENT BACK WITH FRIEND TO ST ANDREW’S CHURCH FOR CAROLS BY CANDLE LIGHT… THEN MINCE PIES & MULLED WINE… MET LONG LOST KIN, WHO NEVER LEFT VILLAGE, ANCESTORS BUILT CASTLE, 800 YRS…
I FELT ACCEPTED AND INCLUDED, A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY, FAMILY.
CHRISTMAS PRESENCE IS HEART OPENING TO OTHERS TO LET INTO YOUR HEART…
ALL FAMILY
CHRISTMAS PRESENCE IS AN EXPERIENCE OF THE HEART / YOUR HEART TO SOFTEN RIDGES AND ARMOR AROUND IT AND FEELING ONE, CONNECTED, CARING, WHOLE.
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