As the astronomical calendar moves from autumn into winter, we move in our daily calendar through three significant holidays. In the span of four or five weeks we can experience Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Historically these celebrations are shared with loved ones, family, and friends. Memories of past celebrations are recalled and some stories are repeated again and again. Although the three appear in rapid succession, each one has its own identity and associated traditions.
In North America, Thanksgiving is usually traced back to 1621 and a gathering that joined English religious dissidents (Pilgrims) with the Wampanaog tribe in what is now called Massachusetts as a way to commemorate a successful harvest. Many myths has been perpetuated over the years surrounding this celebration but it is clear that the English would not have survived without the support and assistance of the Wampanaog. The specific foods the two groups shared were certainly not the same that we enjoy today but definitely would have included meat and vegetables. Often the modern meal has a roast turkey as the centerpiece with side dishes of potatoes and other vegetables, with cranberries in some form as a nod to those first Massachusetts celebrants.
While Thanksgiving in that form is primarily observed in North America, Christmas is celebrated in many ways throughout the entire world. While the Jewish Hannukah and Muslim Ramadan are often occurring near the same time as Christmas, those two holidays commemorate completely different events. Many of the traditions of Christmas have roots in the Bible, specifically the Christian New Testament. The Biblical account of the birth of Jesus is reflected in the gathering of family and friends, the giving of gifts, and the enjoyment of feasting. There are a wide variety of foods that are considered “traditional” for the celebration which are often connected to the location and the culture of the celebrants. The foods that my family enjoys may be different from the foods your family enjoys but we are celebrating the same holiday.
The third holiday in this brief period is that of New Years, the turning of the calendar from one year to the next. This is often marked in many different ways, also being somewhat culturally reflective, but it is another time for gathering with family and friends. Often this calendar-based holiday is marked with sparkling champagne, lights in the form of fireworks or candles, and the hope for a good year ahead. It is a time of reflection on the past and anticipation for the future. In that sense it could be the most somber of the three but most often it is a raucous event.
Holidays can become a time to reflect, remember, and anticipate. Gatherings with family and friends for these celebrations can be very joyous. This is a special time of year with so much packed into a very brief period. Holidays do not happen in quick succession like that except during this short calendar span. Hopefully we all can gain some positivity in the “holiday season” that we can carry with us throughout the entire year.