If there’s one thing people across the Midwest can agree upon, it’s that December is the coldest and darkest time of year. People scurry around in thick winter coats, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to retire within the confines of their warm and cozy homes. Luckily for us, December brings with it much more than just frigid air. The Christmas season is rich with tradition, about which most people don’t give a second thought. Have you ever wondered why we decorate an evergreen tree for the holidays? Where the tradition of “decking the halls” originated? Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? The answers to these questions, and many more, can be found inside the planetarium at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The “Season of Light” program holds the answers to many of the questions most of us haven’t even thought to ask.
“It is a wonderful time to look up at the night sky,” says Planetarium Director David Weinrich as the show begins. The next hour is filled with celestial tales and explanations about the traditions that have become entrenched in society’s holiday repertoire. Many such traditions involve light of some kind, effectively turning the time of darkness into a season of light. “The show is a wonderful introduction to seasonal skies and the traditions of Christmas,” Weinrich explained, adding that the planetarium is a great place for families to establish new traditions.
People have been celebrating the month of December long before it became known as Christmas. The Winter Solstice occurs when the sun appears at its lowest altitude above the horizon. It signifies the reversal of gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. Ancient societies were largely dictated by astrological events, primarily because their survival depended on favorable conditions. Surviving the winter was not a guarantee as people watched their fields dry up and their food supplies wane. Many societies watched the sun move lower and lower on the horizon and held special events to encourage the sun to return to them. When the sun began to once again appear higher, there was great celebration and revelry as the cycle of life was restored and life was assured. The Winter Solstice was therefore a sign of hope reborn; a promise of life renewed.
Ancient Romans also celebrated during the Winter Solstice. During the Festival of Saturnalia, Romans dressed in costumes and reveled in the streets. Early Christians imported the pagan holiday and combined it with the celebration of the birth of Jesus in an attempt to convert the Romans. The ancient tradition of celebrating the New Year, believed to bring good luck to all who participated, was also adopted from the Romans.
“Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright…”
Although many of the ancient traditions have been altered a bit, the festive character of the season remains. One thing that is present in many of the traditions is the use of light. The Jewish Festival of Lights is one example. During the eight days of Hanukkah, nine candles on a menorah are lit, one each day. The tradition commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BC. The light used during Hanukkah is a reaffirmation of religious fire, a light of faith.
Light is also very prominent in the Christian Christmas story. The Christmas candle is considered a symbol of life, representing the candles used to light the path for Mary and Joseph. The Star of Bethlehem is undoubtedly the most famous light associated with Chris’s birth. Experts disagree about the origin of the star, explaining its presence as anything from a super nova to planetary conjunction. One thing everyone agrees upon, however, is that it was an extraordinary astrological event. Is it a coincidence that it happened at the same time as the birth of Jesus? Maybe, but as the old saying goes, “A coincidence is simply when God chooses to remain anonymous.”
“Deck the halls with boughs of holly…”
The tradition of decking the halls also has its roots in ancient tradition. Evergreen trees were thought to be a symbol of eternal life since they did not go through the same seasonal transformation as other trees. People therefore used parts of the tree to decorate their houses during the Winter Solstice, often accompanied by boughs of holly, which were thought to ward off evil spirits and bad weather. Ancient Romans and Celtics took the tradition a step further and utilized entire trees in their celebration, usually decorating them with ornaments and candles. German immigrants brought the tradition to America, where the Christmas tree became more and more elaborate, eventually becoming one of the most popular fixtures of the holiday season.
Another symbol of the holidays that has its roots in ancient culture is mistletoe, which was once believed to promote healing and fertility. It was also considered the plant of peace, prompting enemies to throw down their weapons and shake hands under the mistletoe. It is those handshakes that likely lead to the tradition of kissing.
“Santa Claus is coming to town…”
For many people, the holiday season is not complete until Santa arrives. Also known as St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, or Kris Kringle, Santa Claus has come to represent the wonder of youth and the spirit of good will that accompanies the holidays. But where did he come from? Santa Claus is likely an amalgamation of several different traditions. St. Nicholas was a Greek Christian bishop who loved to give gifts to the poor. Father Christmas was a large man dressed in fur lined green or red robes that first appeared in England in the 16th century. Our contemporary Santa Claus, however, was likely an adaptation of the Dutch Sinterklaas. Early immigrants brought the tradition with them as they settled in the United States, which is where Santa acquired his reindeer, sleigh, and Mrs. Claus.
Holiday traditions may vary between cultures, but the symbolism is often the same. Christmas is a time of celebration; a time of year full of warm traditions that combat the frigidity of winter. Light is often a focal point of those traditions, reminding us that even in the darkness, there is always hope and renewal.
MSUM’s Planetarium:
MSUM’s Planetarium has been teaching people about “People say the Planetarium is the undiscovered resource in the FM area,” Weinrich said. “We have wonderful programs and experts on staff who can answer most, if not all, questions.” “Season of Light” runs from December 5 through the 23rd. Shows are held on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays at 7:00pm and also Sunday at 2:00pm. The Planetarium’s next event is a children’s show running from January through March. “One World, One Sky” follows Big Bird and friends as they watch the stars twinkle above Sesame Street. The show aims to nurture a child’s natural sense of wonder. More information can be obtained at www.mnstate.edu/planetarium.
