#sparkchamber 122622 — year-end celebrations
Another year winds down, and this week, #sparkchamber celebrates both day and night: December 26 is Boxing Day, and this year, it marks the last night of Hannukah.
Boxing Day, a public holiday celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries, is always the day after Christmas. “According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the custom arose because servants, who would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day, were allowed to visit their families the next day. Employers would give them boxes to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.”
In the Victorian era, a new tradition evolved. Churchgoers deposited money into donation boxes which was later distributed to the poor — an early precursor to Giving Tuesday perhaps? “Boxing Day is spent with family and friends with lots of food and fun. Because it is the cook’s day off [traditionally speaking], mostly leftovers are on the menu.”
Hannukah, an alternate spelling of the Hebrew word chanukah meaning dedication, is an 8-day festival of lights celebrated to remember a miracle in the Jewish faith. In the second century BCE, the ruling Seleucids [Syrian-Greeks] tried to force the people of Israel to adopt Greek culture and beliefs instead of their own. “Against all odds, a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and rededicated it to service.” When they sought to light the Temple’s menorah, they discovered only a single pot of olive oil was left. Miraculously, that single day’s supply lasted for eight days — inspiring the creation of the annual Hannukah holiday.
Hannukah is celebrated at home with rituals and customs drawn from the idea of light as a metaphor for spiritual freedom. Blessings, songs, gelt, and gifts, along with traditional foods of latkes and sufganiyot make the 8-day festival truly festive.
Happy day and happy night to one and all.
1.] Where do ideas come from?
The shadow is the greatest teacher for how to come to the light. — Ram Dass
2.] What is the itch you are scratching?
I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver. — Maya Angelou
3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?
There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it. — Amanda Gorman
4.] How do you know when you are done?
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. — Pablo Picasso