2024 Virtual Seasons of Light Day 1
Seasons of Light is an annual December tradition at Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center that celebrates and highlights the diversity of our community and our world by focusing on holidays around the globe. During Seasons of Light, the PCMDC explores Advent, Diwali, Fiesta de la Griteria, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Winter Solstice, Yule, and Japanese New Year.
This year’s celebration is different due to Hurricane Helene in late September. PCMDC immediately pivoted to a community outreach and relief center, preventing us from the countless hours of decorating that go into our annual Seasons of Light celebration.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 2: Diwali
Diwali (pronounced duh vaa lee)-also called Deepavali or Deepawali, is the five-day Hindu “Festival of lights”, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions such as Jainism and Sikhism. It symbolizes the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma, light over darkness, good over evil, hope over despair, and knowledge over ignorance.
The festival is celebrated over five days with the peak of Diwali being celebrated Thursday, October 31 through Friday, November 1, 2024. It will be celebrated October 19-October 23 in 2025. Dates vary year to year based on the timing of the darkest new moon in the Hindu month of Kartik (usually October or November in the Gregorian Calendar).
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 3: Diwali
On the first day of Diwali, Hindus clean their homes and offices and shop; on the second day, they decorate their homes with diyas (clay lamps) and create rangoli design patterns made with colored powders or sand on their floors.
The PCMDC’s Diwali room annually features a beautiful rangoli created by Tausha Forney!
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 4: Diwali
The main day of the Diwali festival is marked by family gatherings for Lakshmi puja (prayers to the Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of prosperity), fireworks displays, feasting and exchanging of gifts.
The fourth day of the festival is dedicated to the wife-husband relationship, while the final day celebrates the bond between sisters and brothers.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 5: Advent
Advent 2024 takes place from Sunday, December 1 through Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations as a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival (“advent”) of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King, celebrated on Christmas, December 25.
Advent is a time to reflect on the unexpected nature of Jesus’ humble birth and join in the anticipation of when He will come again to reunite Heaven and Earth once and for all. People reflect on the concepts of hope, peace, love, and joy-one for each week leading up to Christmas. People may light Advent candles on special wreaths, hold special church services, and read specific Scriptures daily, among many other ways to celebrate Advent.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 6: Advent
Many Advent celebrations use a Chrismon tree. The word “Chrismon” draws from the words “Christ” and “monogram,” translating to “symbols of Christ.” Historically, there have been times when Christians were not free to worship in public, or even acknowledge their faith. These symbols were a way for the followers of Christ to recognize their faith in a more covert way. For example, a symbol like a fish might be used in an underground passageway to point toward a place of worship so visitors would know where to go or simply mark that they were among friends.
In 1957, Mrs. Harry W. Spencer of the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Danville, Virginia, was inspired to use these Christian symbols, or Chrismons, in lieu of colorful balls and non-religious décor on her church’s Christmas tree. Today you’ll find Chrismon trees used in the nave of many churches throughout the country and even the world during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
The PCMDC uses a Chrismon tree in its Advent room to continue this tradition.
Popular Chrismon Tree Symbols
· Star: There are a variety of star Chrismons, each with its own meaning. They range from the five-pointed star to the 8-pointed Natal Star Cross, with the former representing the five wounds of Jesus and the latter representing the Bethlehem star and the four New Testament gospels.
· Triangle: A triangle represents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
· Cross: There’s a wide range of crosses used on Chrismon trees. Like the various stars, each cross delivers its own special meaning from the anchor cross, the Fleur-de-Lis cross, the Celtic cross, the Jerusalem Cross, and the Latin Cross—to name a few.
· Dove: The dove is traditionally used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 7: Advent
Advent Celebrations often include Advent wreaths such as the well-loved one at the PCMDC shown here.
Each week of Advent, Christians light a different candle representing some aspect of the celebration. Week one is a purple candle of hope called the Prophet’s Candle. This candle reminds us of Isaiah’s foretelling of the birth of Christ.
Week two is a purple candle of faith or love called the Bethlehem candle. This candle reminds us of the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
Week three is a pink candle of joy called the Shepherd’s candle. This candle reminds us of the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem.
Week four is a purple candle of peace called the Angel’s candle. It reminds us that the angels announced that Jesus would bring peace. He would bring people close to God and to each other again.
An optional fifth white candle is called the Christ candle and is typically lit on Christmas eve or Christmas day. It represents Christ’s purity and victory.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 8: Fiesta de la Griteria (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
December 8th is the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, observed by many Christian communities, especially Roman Catholics. The festival combines elements of Halloween, Christmas, and the Fourth of July.
In Nicaragua, Fiesta de la Griteria is celebrated on the evening of Dec. 7 th . It is a celebration to thank the Virgin for miracles on the eve of her feast day. Fiesta de la Griteria is the highlight of the Purisima, a celebration of the Virgin Mary.
At 6 pm, a common question is yelled from churches and cathedrals: “Quién causa tanta alegría?” (What causes so much happiness?) The mass response is “La Concepción de María” (Mary’s Conception).
Immediately after, (as well as at midnight and the following 6 am) firecrackers (“caraga cerrada”) participants light firecrackers to lend a boisterousness to the celebration. Nicaraguans take to the streets to sing traditional songs (shout to the Virgin) in front of altars to the Virgin Mary which have been set up in homes (but within sight of the street).
Following the songs, host families distribute fruit, candies and other small gifts to the singers, and the groups continue going from altar to altar until the hosts run out of gifts to give. Participation is one opportunity for the poor to collect needed items, and the celebration is often considered an interesting opportunity to see how different social classes interact.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 9: Las Posadas
Originating in Spain in the 16th century, but now observed primarily in Mexico, Guatemala and parts of the Southwestern U.S., Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration observed in the evenings between December 16th and December 24 th . Posada means “lodging” or “accommodation” and the nine nights of the celebration represent the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus.
The celebrations revolve around nightly processions led by a candle-bearer who leads participants from house to house where residents sing a song and Mary and Joseph are finally recognized and allowed to enter to pray at a Nativity scene. Participants in the procession may actually play the roles of the holy family, shepherds, and angels, or they may simply carry images of the personages. Musicians accompany the procession, and Christmas carols are sung at the end of each night. A feast is held at the end of each evening’s journey, and children break open star-shaped piñatas to get at the candy and fruit hiding inside.
Although the celebration has its roots in Catholicism, Protestant Latinos also participate in the festival.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 10: Las Posadas
Pidiendo Posada is the traditional Mexican Posada song. It is one of the main symbols of Christmas in Mexico, as beloved and recognizable as “Silent Night” is here.
As the candlelit procession with Joseph leading Mary on her donkey winds through the streets, the Pilgrims knock on the doors of various houses. They sing the first stanza of the song, and the people behind the closed door reply with the second and so on, back and forth.
The pilgrims are turned away several times before they reach the night’s chosen house. Here, the householders realize who is really knocking. The final choruses are sung, the door swings wide, and the pilgrims are allowed inside. There are prayers, piñatas for the children and hot ponche, the traditional Mexican Christmas punch, for everyone.
There are regional variations in the lyrics to the Posada Song, but here you’ll find one of the most common.
En el nombre del cielo
os pido posada
pues no puede andar
mi esposa amada.
Aquí no es mesón,
sigan adelante
Yo no debo abrir,
no sea algún tunante.
Venimos rendidos
desde Nazaret.
Yo soy carpintero
de nombre José.
No me importa el nombre,
déjenme dormir,
pues que yo les digo
que nos hemos de abrir.
Posada te pide,
amado casero,
por sólo una noche
la Reina del Cielo.
Pues si es una reina
quien lo solicita,
¿cómo es que de noche
anda tan solita?
Mi esposa es María,
es Reina del Cielo
y madre va a ser
del Divino Verbo.
¿Eres ú José?
¿Tu esposa es María?
Entren, peregrinos,
no los conocía.
Dios pague, señores,
vuestra caridad,
y que os colme el cielo
de felicidad.
¡Dichosa la casa
que alberga este día
a la Virgen pura.
la hermosa María!
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 11: Yuletide
Although often equated with the festival of Christmas, Yuletide (Yule Time) originated as a 12-day pre-Christian midwinter religious festival observed by Northern Europeans.
Associated with the Norse god Odin, leader of the Wild Hunt--an ethereal procession in the winter sky--its ancient traditions included animal sacrifices, feasting, and drinking. Toasts made included those for victory and power, for good harvests and peace, and to the memory of departed kinfolk.
Christmas customs such as the Christmas ham and caroling can be traced to the Yule boar and Yule singing; and the yule log cakes which have become traditional Christmas dessertsharken back to the actual yule logs which were ceremoniously burned during the 12 days of Yule (and later 12 days of Christmas).
As Christmas celebrations became absorbed into Yule, Pope Julius I declared December 25th as the birthday of Jesus. Over time, as Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, Christmas began to dominate the season, and eventually came to be seen as synonymous with Yuletide.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 12: Yuletide
In essence, Yule marks the return of the sun after the long dark nights of winter. The word Yule comes from the old Norse word for wheel. It reminds us of fresh starts and the cyclical nature of our planet. It’s naturally a time of year where we reflect on the year passed, and our plans for the year ahead. Many Yuletide traditions are very familiar from our Christmas celebrations, including singing, lighting candles, decorating homes, feasting, dancing, and sharing gifts.
Many of these traditions are not fixed to a particular day. They are drawn from across Europe being kept alive by communities through stories, song and verse. Here are some ways to incorporate Yuletide celebrations into your festivities.
First Day of Yuletide-Mother’s Night-Candles are lit to honor the women that came before us. Many people bake cookies, perhaps using a treasured family recipe.
Second Day of Yuletide-Winter Solstice-This day, usually falling on December 21st , marks the beginning of astronomical winter. This day in many cultures celebrates rebirth and the slow return to light as the wheel of the year turns.
Third Day of Yuletide-Mistletoe- The tradition of bringing evergreen plants into our homes stemmed from the ancient Druids. They looked to all things that bring light and life in the dark winter months, including holly, ivy, pine and mistletoe. Mistletoe is a partially parasitic plant, which grows in the branches of a host tree. This slow growing plant is often found in old apple orchards. These days, mistletoe is mainly associated with the tradition of kissing beneath it, with the promise of love. However, Mistletoe also holds symbolism for fertility, for luck, for peace and for strength. When hung in the doorway it is said it will ward off evil spirits and offer protection from lightning.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 12: Yuletide
Fourth Day of Yuletide - The Deer Mother
Have you ever wondered how the sun returns to the frozen North in Spring? We have a special winter folk story to share with you for the 12 days of Yuletide from Northern Europe.
Across the frozen lands of Northern Europe comes the folk tale of the Deer Mother. The Sami people of northern Scandinavia have honored and revered reindeer for centuries. Their lives are intertwined and dependent on following these great herds. The oldest matriarch reindeer leads the herd, and only the females retain their antlers over winter. In ancient Britain the Deer Mother was known as Elen of the Ways...
The Story of Elen of the Ways
In a clearing in the vast frozen forest, all the animals from the biggest bear to the smallest mouse huddled together for warmth, the ice driving them from their winter slumber.
The great bear declared that the sun needed to be brought back to the northern lands from the south, or all the animals would perish from the cold. This would take huge strength and courage. Only the Reindeer mother stood forward to take on this challenge. She was used to traveling vast distances and, with her branching antlers, could safely bring back the sun from the south.
She set off through the forest and came across an old man as ancient as the woods in a cloak of evergreens carrying a large sack. He could see the Deer Mother was tired and her journey long. Reaching into his sack he brought out a mushroom with a red cap and white spots, prized by the reindeer. She ate the mushroom and went on her way, faster and faster until her feet left the snow and she was flying through the night sky.
The Deer Mother found the Sun Goddess in the southern lands, too exhausted to travel. Lowering her head the reindeer invited the Sun Goddess to travel with her back to the northern lands where she was so desperately needed. She climbed up into her antlers and away they flew to the north, bringing light and warmth back to the frozen lands.
There are several variations of this ancient tale which forms part of winter solstice celebrations in Northern Europe - a tale of courage, hope and a touch of magic.
Virtual Seasons of Light Day 12: Yuletide
Santa - The Fifth Day Of Yuletide
There’s lots of stories about the origins of Father Christmas. Many link modern day Christmas traditions with the ancient cultures of the northern people. St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, was a generous bishop known for giving gifts to the poor. He sported the beard and a long cloak similar to the modern day Father Christmas we know and love.
But even before St. Nic, the ancestral people of the Arctic celebrated the Winter Solstice with the help of the sacred mushroom Amanita muscari or the Fly Agaric. A favourite food of reindeer, they grow in a symbiotic relationship with the birch and pine trees. Some legends say their properties allowed shamans to travel to the spirit world, returning back with gifts on the backs of flying reindeer. The red and white capped mushrooms were collected and dried on the branches of evergreen trees, much like our modern Christmas Trees, and given as gifts.