Contact: Danielle Bessey
The varying holiday symbols--from Christmas trees to the menorah or Kwanzaa candles--reflect different traditions and beliefs, but all share a common ancient history.
According to Mississippi State University classics professor, most modern holiday traditions date from the Roman Empire or before. Robert Wolverton Sr. said Roman celebrations of the gods Saturn and Mithras were built around the winter solstice, then believed to be on Dec. 25.
For seven days prior to what Romans considered "the birth of the sun," they celebrated with food, drink and gifts. "We take many of our modern traditions from these ancient celebrations," Wolverton said.
In almost every culture, communities put aside a time to celebrate life, he added. In Judaism, Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. In Christian societies, the Advent season celebrates the birth of Jesus. The relatively new African-American tradition of Kwanzaa focuses on lifelong principles and a celebration of the human spirit.
Wolverton said the celebrations are centered in the late winter season shared by the early Roman and Persian celebrations. Many also continue the ancient practices of exchanging gifts, lighting candles, erecting a tree, and singing songs or carols.
"The exchange of gifts was an important part of the Roman celebration because the people, as guest and hosts, thought this made the gods happy," Wolverton said. "The eastern tradition of gifts is found in the story of the Wise Men who brought gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh, which were traditional gifts made to a god or king."
The use of candles continues in many European traditions, as well as in the Jewish tradition of lighting the menorah, a nine-branch candelabrum. "The menorah always has been an important symbol to the Jewish people," Wolverton said. "As they began to rededicate their temple in Jerusalem in 165 A.D., they lit the menorah but found only enough oil for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days and the Jewish celebration of that miracle lasts for the eight days of Hanukkah, beginning at sundown Dec. 23."
In the Kwanzaa tradition, which emphasizes seven guiding principles of life, a candle is lit on each of the seven days of the celebration. A small--and usually hand-made--gift is exchanged, as family members discuss the principle of each day.
Cultural and religious traditions combine in many celebrations of the holiday season.
"The tree, which is found in Northern European and American traditions, is considered to be a symbol of life and hope during a very cold and bleak time of year," Wolverton explained. "A great deal of the early Mithras celebration was centered upon the coming year and the rebirth of the unconquerable sun.
"The ancients were certainly aware of the apparent 'death' of the sun and its slow rebirth after the solstice," he said, adding, "What better symbol than a tree that stays green and alive all year long?"
As for singing, Wolverton said vocal music has continued throughout the centuries to be the shared voice of celebration, regardless of culture.
"Songs always have been used as an expression of joy and happiness, especially after St. Francis of Assisi introduced Christmas carols as a part of the season in the 13th century. Many traditions borrowed from ancient cultures have been enhanced by Christian traditions and together have created a joyous time of the year."