Issaquah Highlands Connections
The 1813th official Celebration of Christmas by Dr. Paul Dean, resident Black Nugget Park
The holiday matters. It is celebrated by approximately 2.2 billion Christians worldwide, and enjoyed by millions more who don’t subscribe to the faith. Americans are expected to spend over 600 billion dollars, have memorable times with their families, and likely quarrel on what it means. I started noticing Christmas controversies in high school. My English teacher gave his fourth period class a copy of a political cartoon in hopes of spurring thoughtful discussion. The cartoon parodied the holiday poem, The Night Before Christmas replacing the traditional lyrics with what modern kids wanted. The cartoon not so subtly implied that we had replaced the original meaning of Christmas with materialism and violent entertainment. In that diverse public school setting the debate didn’t settle how exactly we should celebrate Christmas, but we did come away with a deep sense of irony. The birth of Jesus seemed to symbolize humility, love, peace, and salvation. We were observing the holiday by fighting over “door busters” on black Friday, watching clay-motion videos of popularity-seeking-reindeer, and marketing violence to demanding children. While pointing out the excesses in the holiday is easy, keeping the holiday within some bounds is not. The diversity inside Christianity and the popularity of the holiday keeps it in a constant state of evolution. Jesus (to Christians, the Christ) was born in a manger in Bethlehem to an impoverished family in the line of King David and raised by a carpenter. The word “Christmas” simply means Christ’s Mass (although it wasn’t called that until the 11th Century). It began officially in Egypt as Christians adopted the cultural practice of celebrating birthdays. By A.D. 336 the Church fathers settled on celebrating the Christ-child’s advent on December 25th at least partially to eclipse various festivals already in existence. As time went on, celebrants adopted cultural stories and customs that fit with the spirit of the holiday. One of the early stories was based on St Nicholas, a bishop in Asia Minor in the 300s. He displayed a flowing white beard, wore red and white bishop’s robes, and practiced the habit of going door to door to check on his parishioners. According to legend he once tossed three bags of gold down the chimney of a needy family, one of them by chance caught in a stocking that was hanging over the fire to dry. By the Middle Ages Christmas was merry indeed. Gifts were given in remembrance of the Wise Men bringing gifts to the Christ child. St. Francis of Assisi popularized the recreation of the manger scene where Jesus was born with live people and animals. Holly (the sharply pointed leaves and red berries symbolized the crown of thorns and blood before Jesus’ crucifixion) shared space with mistletoe (borrowed from the Druids) as suitable decoration for the season. The most famous Christmas decoration was invented by Martin Luther, while walking home one winter night. He was so inspired by the sight of stars twinkling through the branches of trees that he cut down a fir tree and covered it with candles to duplicate the effect for his children. Christmas cards began to appear in the 18th century and by 1822 postal services in Europe and America began complaining about the deluge of homemade Christmas cards every December. Commercially created cards appeared in 1843. Hallmark cards were first sold in the 1910s and modern gift wrap in 1917. In 2013 some people object to the celebration of the holiday (literally holy day) because of perceived violation of the establishment clause, protesting that “Christmas is too religious.” Others object that the day has become too commercial or too distant from celebrating Jesus. Decades after this discussion began for me in High School I’m not certain I yet have the answer on how to best celebrate this beautiful event that many observe on December 25. I do believe that the birth of Jesus was a pivotal event and worthy of discussion. Perhaps the controversy simply shows the power of the event? Something to consider on Christmas 2013, the 1813th official celebration of the birth of Jesus. The Deans (Paul, Kathryn, Nathan, Carolyn, Alaina, and Lizzie) moved to the Highlands in 2006. My work in the community started Alathia Community Church (now Soma Communities Eastside) a church that values working in and for the community. We outgrew Blakely Hall and now meet at PCMS but still work to serve our community in meaningful ways. My interest in history started in my youth with books about explorers and adventurers. I studied History at Cedarville University in Ohio. I completed my studies at Washington State University earning a M.A. and PhD in U.S. Diplomatic History with minor fields in Latin America and SE Asia. I’ve enjoyed writing for national magazines and scholarly journals, and currently have two books in the works. One book is on a World War I soldier, the other on average citizen’s attempts to affect U.S. foreign policy in the 80s.
December 2013
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Chanukah in the Highlands by Cheryl Puterman, Wisteria Park Chanukah is an eight day Jewish festival and celebrates many different things including the victory of the few over the many, the triumph of the holy over the profane, the need to fight assimilation and the miracle of the jar of oil. For each night of the holiday, another candle is lit on the menorah the nine-branched candelabrum, (eight plus a “helper” candle to light the others). Traditional Cheryl and her daughters, Shira, Dalia and pooch Farfel at last foods include Latkes (potatoe year’s Chanukah. pancakes), Sufganiot (donuts) and other foods fried in oil. Children spin dreidels with Hebrew letters on each of the four sides symbolizing the great miracle that happened. Chocolate coins are plentiful, bearing the image of the menorah that was minted on the ancient coins over 2000 years ago. This year features an anomaly for American Jews. The first day of Chanukah falls on Thanksgiving. This is the first time in recorded history to simultaneously celebrate two favorite holidays - the next time this overlap will occur will be in the year 79,811. This has led to various “Thanksgivingkah” mash-ups which makes this year’s festival particularly unique. To mark the occasion, diehards can light their turkey menorahs – menurkeys- and purchase commemorative t-shirts and indulge in sweet potato recipes! The Message of Religious Freedom and Tolerance: The history of Chanukah dates back to 165 BC when the land of Israel was part of the Syrian-Greek Empire, dominated by Syrian rulers. The King ordered the Jewish people to give up all their rituals and beliefs and start worshipping Greek Gods. The holy Jewish temple was desecrated. The golden menorah that stood in the ancient temple was left for ruin. Forbidden to study Torah, speak Hebrew or eat kosher foods, many Jewish people were forced to assimilate. A group of Jews, called the Macabees, led an underdog revolt, defeated the Assyrians and cleared out the temple of the offensive materials. The purified oil that was enough for lighting only one day, but miraculously lit the candles on the Menorah (candelabra) for eight days continuously. “Chanukah” is the Hebrew word for “rededication” of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and marks the religious freedom of the Jewish community. We are very fortunate to be living in a community that not only recognizes, but welcomes different religious beliefs and cultural practices. It is heart-warming to be part of a community that offers cultural programs from various faiths and practices that are open to all residents. Chabad of Central Cascades serves the Jewish Community of Issaquah and Sammamish and has its annual Chanukah festival at Blakely Hall and public menorah lighting on Saturday night, November 30th at 6:30pm. The theme is “Legoland” and there will be a giant lego menorah, latkes, donuts and more! The entire community is invited. $5 suggested donation. I hope to see you there! Cheryl Puterman lives in Wisteria Park and will be celebrating her seventh Chanukah in Issaquah Highlands this year with her husband, Jeff, and two teenage daughters, Shira and Dalia.