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| GIVE THE GIFT OF LIGHT |
As we are learning together, most of our traditions come from Germany
with pagan origins, hi-jacked by the Church to bring people to
Christianity. I would speak to the issue
of the Church as opportunists, but that would not speak to the spirit of the
season, so I will stick to Advent and using this time of the year to truly
reflect on the opportunity that the Christmas Season gives us to connect to
other people. We know the Magi brought
gifts to the Christ Child. We know that
in the dark season of winter, Europeans brought each other gifts of food, Yule
logs, and other gifts that represented life.
I learned that the tradition of lavish PRESENTS under the tree really
began when German Prince Albert married Queen Victoria of England. Queen Victoria had fond memories of her
childhood when her German mother and British father placed PRESENTS under the
tree for their children. Queen Victoria developed fond memories of this time
and she and her German husband carried on the tradition in their royal family.
Beautiful pictures of their PRESENTS under the tree made their way into the
paper. The wealthy middle class adopted
the idea of the PRESENTS and today it has become an opportune time for merchants.
I invite you to personalize the
tradition for yourself and your family.
Create ways this Christmas (and Hanukkah) to make PRESENTS meaningful
and mindful. Choose PRESENTS that make a heartfelt connection to those you
choose to gift.
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