Years ago, when my son was in what I like to call his adult
rebellious stage, we started a new tradition. He’d decided Christmas was a
commercialized holiday that had little resemblance to what the occasion was
supposed to represent. We had just moved to a small farm with him and his
soon-to-be wife. Knowing that her family was very traditional when it came to
Christmas, and that I’d have to share them on the day, I decided to embrace the
idea of returning to the root of the winter holiday…Solstice.
After doing my research, I proposed we celebrate the winter
solstice in the manner of farmers and native Americans, before the holiday took
the form it has now. On my mother’s side, we have both Choctaw and Chickasaw
blood. We’re all card-carrying Indians. My idea was applauded and the tradition
lives on, although the farm doesn’t. Our celebration is a mish-mash of European
and native influences.
Solstice is about decorating the house in greens to lift the
deadness of winter. It is about putting up an evergreen tree to lift our
spirits (and maybe protect some wood nymphs who come in from the cold). The
winter solstice is about exchanging gifts and opening them in the morning. In
bygone days of the holiday, a shaman would visit at night and leave gifts. The
shaman wore red and was very wise. It is about a big meal on the eve of
Solstice. When we had the farm, we tried to cook everything we grew. And after
dinner, we build a fire. We sit around the fire and we have a ceremony, adopted
from American Indian tradition, that speaks to the past year and the future.
I now have a granddaughter. As I predicted way back when,
they spend Christmas Day evening with my DIL’s side of the family. But we have
Solstice. Two wonderful, warm, festive days with them.
Brenda Whiteside
Author of romantic suspense.
Discover adventure and love, suspense and
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An absolutely lovely tradition. And your granddaughter will have the great joy of growing up experiencing two separate holidays, with the two halves of her family. I also like the idea of discussing the year past, and perhaps sharing hopes for the future. Loved your post!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love family traditions, and especially during the holidays. I'm all about letting the past ebb and welcoming in the future--a fresh new year to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tradition--and a way to share family and cultural history! Congratulations on your creative approaches!
ReplyDeleteFascinating tradition. What a way to make it your own and to celebrate your cultural background. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love traditions that evolve to embrace the positive aspects of the holidays.
ReplyDeleteLove the way you did that! When I was young we lived in a small town outside of Paris. The only other foreigners were an English family, and we began trading holidays. We had Halloween and Thanksgiving. And they produced Guy Fawkes Day (complete with bonfire) and Christmas (complete with plum pudding). The French neighbors thought we were all crazy.
ReplyDeleteWow, I really enjoyed your post! Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tradition! I'd love to do something like this, a step away from commercialized Christmas and toward reflection and togetherness.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura. It's been fulfilling.
ReplyDeleteCarol, yep, I've always found this time of year is a good time for renewal and hope.
ReplyDeleteBarbara and C.B. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteM.S. what a great story and what great memories. We lived for three years in Germany and it's so wonderful seeing how other cultures celebrate.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tena.
ReplyDeleteSadira, that is exactly what we do. I feel blessed to be able to have those days with them. Funny side note: When Sadi was 3 she decided there was a Santa. This just came about through association with other children and probably TV. I gave my son the evil eye the first time Sadi mentioned Santa's visit. I'd been careful not to propagate "the lie". He just shrugged and said, it's her decision. I had to laugh. We've had fun having it both ways with Santa and Solstice.
ReplyDeleteMy husband loves Christmas and we go all out for it: two trees, decorations all over the house, a big party on Christmas Eve. I'm a pagan at heart and I have no problem with it, because as you pointed out, most Christmas traditions actually came from pre-Christian belief systems. I figure we are celebrating as people have in mid-winter for centuries Bringing in greenery--I insist on real trees, using lights to brighten the dark night and getting together with family and friends to eat and celebrate and share our love for each other. That's what it's about and what we need to remember. Joyous Yule to you!
ReplyDeleteWe love Christmas, but also have incorporated the Winter Solstice traditions. What a beautiful post, Brenda. So enjoyed hearing about your tradition. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteI believe any way to celebrate with your family is important. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteAnd a joyous Yule to you too, Mary G. It's a month long celebration here. So much fun.
ReplyDeleteHow cool, Mary M. The history of Christmas beginning way back with Solstice is so intriguing.
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays to you too, Ilona!
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