Spiritual Holiday Traditions

[Monica]

I probably should have started this thread before Christmas, but...oh well. Maybe it will still attract some responses, with the holiday still fresh on our minds, and New Year's coming up.

When I was a child, I just didn't get into the Christmas spirit unless I attended Midnight Mass. It was a beautiful service, and I loved the singing! Christmas songs still have a special place in my heart.

But, since my understanding of the Christmas season has expanded beyond the birth of Jesus in a manger, attending church service no longer quite works for me. Neither do the Pagan Solstice rituals. And yet, I feel it is a special time of devotion and reverence, perhaps because the Veil is thinner during this season, or perhaps because of the heightened intentions of all the people focusing on peace, love, and goodwill towards others.

So I yearn for a tradition/ritual/celebration to adopt...something my family and I can enjoy, that is free of religious doctrine, and yet captures the spirit of the season.

I would love to hear how all of you share this holiday.

With New Year's in a few days, I'd also love to hear of any New Year's traditions as well.

Thanks for sharing!

[Questioner]

Monica, your new thread was listed just under the Spiral thread. I thought at first it said "Spiral Holiday Traditions." I like the idea that at each year's Winter Solstice, we'll get a giant spectacular light show that we debate on the Internet. That's a holiday tradition I could really get into.

[Monica]

Ha, I could dig that!

[Lorna]

yeah that would be great, what a lovely idea

monica i felt similarly, and while the ritual of attending mass at certain times in my life seems comforting it feels incredibly hollow, so other than funerals i don't think it's something i'm likely to do again

for me there has always been something truly magical about christmas. this christmas was the first one in 33 years that my parents didn't have all their children home for christmas, unavoidable due to work duties, but it meant this christmas felt very different as it didn't have that family occassion feel about it, and i guess didn't feel as christmassy

one of the things i always did on christmas holidays home from uni or work was to take a long walk in an area near my parents' house with very low light pollution and simply spend time looking at and contemplating the night sky. i usually did that on my birthday, 26th dec, just to get a bit of head space and time to myself. such special moments though, perhaps that will become a real tradition, i'd never thought of it as such before.

[Monica]

OK this time I'm bumping this early enough to get some action going!

I'm looking for new traditions for Christmas, since the Biblical story just doesn't work for us, but we still like celebrating the holiday with most of the traditional stuff. Just recognizing Solstice isn't quite enough either, though we do a bit for that. And my family isn't quite Pagan enough to totally dig Pagan rituals...I don't want to be a "Solstice only Pagan" sort of like a "Christmas only Christian" ya know? Though they are more appealing to us than the Christian church services. I'm searching for a way to make it meaningful and am open to anything from any religion/tradition as long as it focuses on love and peace. I'm looking for spiritual meditations/prayers/rituals etc., not recipes, though if you want to post something about holiday meals, that's ok too.

The season generates a lot of goodwill, along with all the commercialism. I'd like some sort of ceremony to contribute to the peace/goodwill of the planet while instilling a feeling of reverence, but every year I'm at a loss and usually just end up playing Vangelis and we do a short meditation and still feel like there's something missing.

Anyone got ideas they'd like to share?

Oh and there's no snow where I live.

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the US, I'll start by sharing our Thanksgiving family tradition: We give thanks for our blessings over a meal of Tofurkey with all the trimmings.

[Brittany]

Lol...my supervisor and I were just having a discussion about Tofurkey today.

My new year's ritual is usually pretty simple. Watch movies with the hubby, kiss at midnight. All is well.

[Aaron]

I'm not too knowledgeable on rituals of any kind, including holiday ones... But I can suggest that maybe you can create a new one? What better year than this year? Great old traditions have to start somewhere...

[@ndy]

Hummmm I guess I see the Christmas and Celtic pagan thing rolled into one.
The time were in now (starting at Samhain) the time of darkness and inner seeking... the cold dark nights, roots under the earth are strengthening. A time of reflection on the year gone… and to integrate what we have learnt.

I see Christmas as celebration or rebirth of light in all senses I guess
Perhaps it helps when your somewhere cold and dark. I see the year as having phases, just like the moon dose, most of the Christian celebrations were tagged onto the old Celtic ones to help get the people to accept it, so I find the celebrations complement each other nicely.
Everything is quiet and dormant waiting the return of the light again for the cycle to start over.
I see it as a time of stillness and quiet, and giving thanks for the cycle of life our friends and family.
At this time of year I find it easy to connect with the ancients of this land, and how it must have felt in the cold dark winter, a time of dreams and darkness and inner seeking – then the celebration of the rebirth of the year… the coming together in what can be a cold isolating time for many and giving thanks for the cycle of life and the strengthening light that will bring the new season.

There is a lovely book called Sacred Celebrations., Glennie Kindred
It has the history of all the Celtic celebrations from shamanic/pagan/druidic roots - with Suggestions for connecting with the season in individual/family or big group ways, ideas for things to make, ways to involve kids, mediations and history.
When I lived in Brighton we had a big shared allotment and would celebrate all the festivals up there outside.... cooking seasonal food in the open, planting seeds or waiting the sun depending on the season.
It was a lovely way to connect with the earth, spirit and each other... and have a party

[Monica]

Solstice in just a few days! Anyone doing anything special?

[unity100]

when is mercury retrograde again ?

[Monica]

when is mercury retrograde again ?

I dunno. I don't keep up with that. Transiten would know.

[fairyfarmgirl]

I too am no longer too Pagan or too Christian. But.... We wholeheartedly and joyously celebrate the longest day of the year Dec 21st and stretch the Christmas Experience over 3 days Dec 24-Dec 26.

We bake lots and lots of cookies throughout December. The kids like making cut out cookies. This year we made lots of sheep and ducks and snowmen. It is very funny to watch them choose thier cookie cutters.

Our traditions revolve around food and sharing, sharing of gifts and being together. It is a lot of fun. We make alot of our gifts as well as buying gifts from several different thrift stores in the area we live. We also procur stuff from Freecycle.org. And a few items are bought from stores. It is an adventure! We give important gifts on Christmas as well: new snow boots, snow shovel, mittens, scarfs, hats, and coats as well as socks! Socks are a gift that everyone loves (I do not like socks but everyone else does!) And clothes. Usually by Christmas time, the kids pants are too short and they have outgrown their clothes.

This year, my enthusiam waned in October. Now, about 1 week before Christmas, it is beginning to pick up again. This I am thankful for. We try to select the gifts we give based on what we know about the person we are giving a gift to. For instance, last year, the kids and hubby went to the beach and collected heart shaped beach rocks to give to me. I have a set of 12 distinctly different naturally Heart shaped Rocks.

One year the kids found a branch that was perfect for hanging and then decorating. It still hangs in our dining room. I decorate the branch for each season/holiday that we observe. These are the gifts from the HEART. The best kind of gifts.

Many years ago, before I had kids, I spent a year going to the beach and combing the beach for naturally formed beach pebbles with a hole through the pebble. Then I strung 1 beach pebble for each special friend I had on a silk cord. That was before kids... LOL and it was a meditative process for me.

This year on Dec 21st we are making star cookies. A crafty-art project centered around stars-- think glitter, glue, and glamour LOL. And we will eat something Celtic... like an oatmeal casserole or maybe potatoes and eggs.

Then, after we put the wee ones to bed we (the adults) will do a quick meditation centered around the Light of Love in the HEARTs of Humankind.

The Christmas experience, we stretch out opening all the gifts over 2 days. Each person gets time to open their gift with everyone's full attention on them. After a round of gift opening, then we clean up and play with our new stuff. Then, we eat. Put our new stuff away and open another round of gifts. At the end of each round, we each pick a gift to open on Dec 26. This way the day does not become overwhelming and we have plenty of time to experience our new things.

We talk about the Christmas story. The kids go on a treasure hunt for the baby Jesus (I hide the baby Jesus) and then we put the baby in the manger. At this point the kids all discuss how to arrange the 3 Wise Men and the shepherds as well as all the farm animals... It is always interesting. We speak about the Christ that is within us all. We talk about how Santa is the representation of Generousity. The heart of Giving and Sharing. We then speak about Christ and how he is represented by the birth of Jesus. We stress that in our belief system Jesus is a man that is exceptional... we all have this ability to be as exceptional as Jesus. As UU's we then talk about the Other Christs' that have lived upon the Earth. We talk out the Angels and how they are always available to help us if we ask them to. We bless the World with Love. We hug each other. We talk about how to make amends for something we would like to change. And we talk about living our lives compassionately. Each person talks about what it is to act with kindness--- Kindness is the 1st step towards true compassion. We also love to listen to Christmas Songs, watch Christmas themed movies and folktales and remember Happy December memories.

Sometimes on Christmas Eve we go to church. It depends on the Kids and what they are up for. It is always a lesson in herding cats when dealing with a wild pack of Indigos.

fairyfarmgirl

[Monica]

What a lovely story! Wow, your family is RICH!!! And I can smell the scent of cookies in the oven wafting from your house, as well as feel the ripples of LOVE being poured out, all the way here in Texas! Thanks so much for sharing, Fairy!

[fairyfarmgirl]

Thank you, Monica. We usually do not go out for New Year's Eve as it is usually -20F or lower here. We just stay home and invite a few close friends who also have kids--- drink mimosas, watch the ball drop in NYC on line, and play board games with the kids. Tell funny stories and open poppers. ---Oh, and we also make silly and funny hats to wear all night long. The hats are a loooong art project with lots of glue, glitter, and plastic jewels as well as paint and feathers. It is a lot of fun!

Before the local Chinese restaurant closes, we order take out Chinese food (enough to eat on New Year's eve and for Lunch and Dinner for New Year's Day. We are always sure to request extra fortune cookies. The kids find these very funny as they do not understand the "fortunes" that they get in the cookie. Later, when the kids are in bed--- The adults joke about the fortunes in the fortune cookies. Usually our guests just crash at our place. On New Year's Day, I make orange-lemon raisin scones and we drink lots of coffee.... LOL Then around 11 am, our guests go home and some choose to drive to the Beach with us. We all go to the beach, walk on the seawall and if it is warm enough we take a quick beach stroll. One year we went to the Beach during a gently falling snow storm. The silence was incredible on marked by the sounds of beach rocks jostling against each other and rolling against the sand as the waves crashed in and receded out. The amazing Grace of Living Life.

We live in a NE state that lets anyone buy fireworks. (We do not) but everyone around us does. So at midnight, from the comfort of our home (where it is warm and dry and comfortable) we turn out all the lights and watch the fireworks shows going off all around us. ( Yes, I am talking the really big Kaboom high in the sky fireworks... LOL). When we first moved to the town we live in we thought people were shooting off their shotguns... and then we realized we were not in Maine anymore! LOL

[Monica]

Well it's that time of the year again! Please share your traditions, ceremonies, meditations, music, etc.!

[Ruth]

We do a lot of volunteer work between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Because ours is a blended family (resulting from divorce) we do our family celebration on New Year's Eve when we have a nice meal, exchange gifts, wear funny hats, pop poppers, watch the ball drop on television, play board games or dominoes, and usually have a scavenger hunt made up by my granddaughter and myself! Fun times!

[AnthroHeart]

My mom and I just have a simple dinner. Nothing too elaborate. Of course my dogs are here with me too.

[Conifer16]

Wow. I want to celebrate with fairyfarmgirls family now

-Conifer16- Adonai Vasu Borragus

[Diana]

My basic holiday tradition is to make donations to people and animals in need. I have tried repeatedly to get my family and friends to join me, but it hasn't happened yet, and they have their free will . None of us needs anything at all, so what I do is make the donation in the person's name, and give them the certificate in a card.

I make the cards myself. So that is part of my gift .

For my nephews, my tradition has been to share an experience. We go skiing (they snowboard).

For the New Year I have a ceremony (sometimes just me), review where I'm at, and make my intentions for the coming year.

[Ruth]

Diana - I didn't say it, but I too often give a gift of a donation rather than an item, especially to our adult relatives who don't need any additional "things" in their lives!

I also spend a great deal of time reflecting, taking stock and setting intentions. And lots of time sending light and love to those who need it.

I worked Saturday as a "Santa's helper" at a charity event for kids. Two different kiddos told Santa that all they wanted for Christmas was a "happy family" or a "good family". Several wanted new shoes, warm coats etc. I am able to send those kids specific energies since I have met them, touched them physically (either a touch to the shoulder, holding a hand, or helping them up to see Santa).

Light and love to you, Diana!

[Oceania]

for me watching movies is spiritual. i don't really get into the materialistic side cuz of my reasons and so i like to do the bit i can, which is to watch christmas movies and drink mulled wine, listen to carols and enjoy candle lights. i'm planning on giving some money to an animal shelter too. i can't stand all the materialistic pressure on christmas.

[Diana]

Diana - I didn't say it, but I too often give a gift of a donation rather than an item, especially to our adult relatives who don't need any additional "things" in their lives!

I also spend a great deal of time reflecting, taking stock and setting intentions. And lots of time sending light and love to those who need it.

I worked Saturday as a "Santa's helper" at a charity event for kids. Two different kiddos told Santa that all they wanted for Christmas was a "happy family" or a "good family". Several wanted new shoes, warm coats etc. I am able to send those kids specific energies since I have met them, touched them physically (either a touch to the shoulder, holding a hand, or helping them up to see Santa).

Light and love to you, Diana!

Thank you

That's awesome about your gig as "Santa's helper." I can just feel how much love you spread around doing that.

[Namaste]

My mother this year is getting a year's sponsorship of an elephant (she loves them), and my partner wil be getting an acre or so of protected Amazon rainforest :¬)

[Whitefeather]

For me, Christmas is about the preparation... preparing one's heart as well as small tokens of affections for our loved ones. It is always very simple and loving, sharing happy time and, no TV since we do not have a tv set in the house. We may watch a couple of DVDs though. There is Christmas and there is New Year. So, it all starts a few days before and goes on until the beginning of January. There are candles, carols, fun and I usually make some chocolates (organic ones). The wild life which will be coming to our garden will get their fair share of food, butter (for birds) and water. The orange tree in its planter is often carried into the house for decoration and, we feel it is sharing the peace of spirit with us. Also, there are plenty of phone calls and e-mails to far away loved ones.
Happy Christmas to you all