Week 15: December 7 through December 11, 2020

Merry ...

What would you put at the end of this common December greeting. This week we will learn about and explore the December holiday season, discuss some cultural differences and similarities, as well as think about our own families' special days and what they mean to us.

Monday, December 7th

Why We Celebrate

All across the globe, people remember special events or celebrate special days together with their family and friends. In Ethiopia, people celebrate Christmas and Timkat in January. In Nigeria, Christmas is a big festival. In the language Ibibio people say "Idara ukapade isua." This means Happy Birthday Yehushah (Jesus). In China, people celebrate the New Year on different days each year between January and March.

In the United States, there are many nations in one. People in the United States celebrate Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving and many more holidays recognized in Europe or brought with them to the North American continent when they crossed the Atlantic Ocean. However, people from other places brought special days with them as well.

Many people recognize the December 25th holiday, Christmas, as a Christian celebration of the birth of Christ. In fact, the word Christmas means Christ Mass. Mass, outside of the scientific version of the word, means worship in the Catholic tradition. However, long before Christianity reached most of Europe, people were celebrating special days on or around December 25th for centuries. Early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many people rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

Kwanzaa is a special day for Africans through out the African diaspora. Kwanzaa means first fruit. It is celebrated from December 26th through January 1st. In the 60's many African people born in North America were looking for a way to reconnect with their own heritage. A man named Mualana Karenga learned about different traditions throughout Eastern and West Africa. He decided to create a new holiday for Africans to remember their heritage and shared experiences in the West. To do this, he tied in seven important ideas that he thought would allow Africans born in the Americas, the U.S. and the U.K. to recall their history, support one another, and build their own economy. The seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kwanzaa utilize Kiswahili words: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). Each of the seven candles signify the principles.

The Norsemen of Scandinavia celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. Men and their sons went into the forests and cut down large trees. They brought the wood from those trees home and set them on fire. Others brought evergreens into the home to represent the World Tree. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year. This is where the Christmas tradition of cutting down a Christmas tree and lighting it comes from; because the Norsemen lit their trees up with fire.

Another important feature of Yule was the god Oden. Oden, a white-bearded deity from the Realm of Elves was said to go on a hunt. He used two eight legged horses (or goats in some versions) to pull his chariot through the snow. Later, the horses were changed to reindeer and instead of driving through the snow, they flew over the houses of villages.

In Rome, the people celebrated Saturnalia. They worshipped the god Saturn. About a week before winter solstice their celebration begun and lasted for a whole month. During this time, it was okay to do whatever pleased you. People filled their bellies with all kinds of meat and married people could temporarily ignore their marriage vows. Children and adults did anything they wanted to do. Businesses and schools were closed so that everyone could join in.

Members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra’s birthday was the most sacred day of the year.

Around the 4th Century , Pope Julius the first and some Christian Church leaders decided to absorb the ancient European holidays into the European Christian practice. The Bible does not mention date for Christ's birth and the integration of pagan traditions into the faith has long been argued about by certain groups within the Christian church. Evidence actually suggests that Christ was born in Spring. Most Christian groups had adopted the new custom by the end of the 6th century.

A new Christmas story is that on December 25th, a virgin named Mary had a baby in a stable because there was no room at the Inn. Three wise men followed a star that led them to the Holy child. There, they gave him gifts of incense called frankincense, myrrh, and gold. This story is similar to the tradition of the Holy Bible in the book of Matthew chapter 1 verses 18 to 25 and in the book of Luke chapter 2 verses 1 through 20.

Another special December celebration is the Feast of Dedication. This feast day has its bases in the Holy Bible, also. In the first book of Maccabees, the Greeks were making the effort to take over the world. Their leaders convinced many of the Israelites to do evil and defile the laws of The Most High, YHWH. They also killed the Israelites who chose not to disobey the commandments of The

Most High. A man named Mattathias and his five sons rebelled against the Greeks and fought back. The Greek military took over the temple and sacrificed swine on the alter of The Most High. This was a big problem to those who followed the commandments of The Most High. The Greeks also burned the temple down, utterly disrespecting the people and their faith. Mattathias' son, Judas Maccabees led a major battle against the Greeks. They won! Then they were able to rebuild the temple and dedicate it to The Most High. They knew that this would please HIM. They also continued to follow the commandments of YHWH and decided to remember how YHWH was with them when they kept his laws and statutes. Every year, on the day they rebuilt and dedicated the temple to The Most High, the Israelites and their descendants made it a celebration of remembrance. Christ, who came after this time, also remembered this day and celebrated the Feast of Dedication. People come together and tell the stories of Mattathias and his sons. They remember to always keep the commandments of The Most High. Some families give gifts but all of the celebrants have a great feast together with friends and family members who keep the laws and commandments of The Most High.

Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah in December. They enjoy 8 days of fun and family. The people eat jelly donuts and latkes. Latkes is a Slavic word from Eastern Europe where Jewish people are from. Latkes are made from potatoes similar to the dumplings made in the book of Samuel. Like the Israelites, Jewish people remember the the Bible story of Mattathias during Hanukah. However, they also practice their Eastern European traditions using their language and preparing their Eastern European foods during their festivities.

Think of your own family traditions. Draw a picture of your family observing your own family tradition. What to you do during this time? Why do you do it? Share your picture with FWS in the comment section below or in the Family World School group on Facebook.

Tuesday, December 8th thru January 1

Our Own Holiday

We all have special family traditions that we practice each year. What are you doing with your family during the winter season? Do you know the history of your family tradition?

As we enter the Feast of Dedication on tomorrow, December 9th, 2020, let's find ways to celebrate and continue to learn together.

Our next lesson will post after January begins. Here are some challenges you might partake in over the next several days.

1. Take a picture blowing cool air that you can see! Condensation

2. Sing a song about your favorite December celebration. If you don't know one, make it up!

3. Take a picture with someone who has gray hair and take a picture with someone who is shorter than you.

4. Help your parents cook a meal.

5. Race someone to build the tallest card temple/castle. Set the timer for 5 minutes. Who will build the tallest tower?

6.Have you ever been ice skating? What about skating on wheels? In December many children enjoy outside by skating or even sledding down a hill.

7. Write a short story with a holiday theme.

8. Gather your old clothes and shoes that you can't wear anymore and give them to someone who doesn't have might be able to use them.

9. Plant a seed in a cup and grow your own food!

10. Make caramel popcorn. Did you know that some people pronounce caramel as (KAH RUH MEL) and other people pronounce it (KAR MEL)? Either way, Yum!

In all that you do this December holiday season, please remember you always respect yourself and others. You are valuable and super bright. The world is your classroom and life is your teacher!

Product: Test Your Knowledge Worksheet (Parents check the "Info for Parents" page for answer key)