As the holiday season is already upon us, I look to the traditions that this season brings to us. For many it includes a Christmas Eve service. For some it begins with a special Christmas Eve meal. For some it may be waiting for last minute arrivals of children and grandchildren. We bring warm memories to the season. Hallmark begins the season even before Halloween has arrived with made for TV movies. Stores begin decorating for the coming selling season. We begin our gift giving search.
During the season, our senses are awakened, with the sounds of Christmas music, the smells of Christmas baking, and the excitement of watching youngsters discover the magic of the season.
Anthropologists have noted that among many societies gift giving plays a crucial role in maintaining social ties by creating networks of reciprocal relationships.
As we have grown older, the anticipation of the Day has changed. As our children were growing up, the day began shortly after six in the morning, with a visit by my parents and then after opening presents, a warm brunch was served. That brunch only occurred once a year with specially prepared foods and desserts. We relish our holiday rituals from installing the outdoor lights, setting up the Christmas tree, shopping, and planning holiday meals. Traditions from holidays can be so comforting.
And later as in many households across the district, our family joined with friends who were alone at Christmas for a special Christmas dinner. Traditionally the meal was turkey and mashed potatoes with squash and sugary sweet potato dressing. The dressing came from my uncle’s Aruba background. We still had the traditional turkey stuffing. And for dessert traditional Christmas cake, English plum pudding with sterling sauce, butter tarts, mince meal tarts, short bread and other cookies.
Today we have discarded some of those English traditions and replaced them with a selection of traditional foods from the Ukraine and Poland, biscotti from Italy, and Baklava, loukoumades from Greece. Traditions evolve in every country and every religion. All cultures have rituals that revolve around family, food, and meal preparation.
The traditions that remain constant are those with families and friends sharing the joy of the religious season with each other, reminiscing about past gatherings, sharing in meals and frequently attending religious services. Perhaps the most important ritual comes from maintaining family ties. As our children leave, marry, have children, our families expand and our rituals change and grow as we adopt new traditions. It marks a time of peace and being thankful.
