Hilltowns Senior News for Thursday, December 15, 2016
To peoples and traditions planet-wide, it is the season of light. The Winter Solstice is the time when the sun is at its farthest distance from the equator, and the days begin to grow longer again.
The Druids and ancient Anglo-Saxons celebrated Yule, from which we get the tradition of the Yule log. The Druids called it Alban Arthan. The head Druid cut sacred mistletoe from the oak tree, and fires heralded the rebirth of the sun. Yule was derived from the Norse word Iul, meaning wheel: the wheel of the zodiac, and the wheel of life.
Many other religions mark this time as well. Jews have Hanukkah, the festival of lights, in remembrance of the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 167 BCE. After its recapture by the revolutionary Maccabees, one day’s sacred lamp oil lasted for eight days.
An eight-branched candelabra, called a menorah, is lit, one candle at a time, to commemorate the miracle. Customarily, women were relieved of their usual work, and given time to relax.
One of the holiday games is spinning a top decorated with Hebrew letters, an acronym for “a great miracle happened here.” Guesses are made on which letter will come up, and rewards given for certain letters. Because the holiday involves oil, fried foods are traditional: in the United States, potato pancakes, and in Israel, fried jelly rolls.
At this time, the story is told of the star in the east, which guided the wise men (Magi), Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar to Bethlehem. The Encyclopedia Britannica states that "according to Western church tradition, Balthasar is often represented as a king of Arabia, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Gaspar as a king of India.”
The name “Christmas” comes from the Middle English “Christes masse,” the festival mass of Christ. Roman Emperor Constantine, one of Christianity’s most famous converts, had a vision of a cross, with the words “in hoc vince” (in this sign you will conquer). This indicated to him that a unified theology would unify people, and he worked to synchronize pagan and Christian holidays.
The first known printed document listing Jesus’ birth as Dec. 25 was in an Almanac for Christians in Rome ( 354 CE). In the Julian calendar of the time, this date was the same as the solstice celebrated by followers of sun-god Mithras.
At this time, many Romans were still celebrating the Saturnalia, when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn. Capricorn is said to be ruled by Saturn, and symbolized a long-lost time when the world was peaceful, fruitful, and happy.
Homes were decorated with evergreens, and all business was suspended. Servants and slaves were given a feast, and, on that day, the masters waited on the servants.
There are many other celebrations of light but, personally, I believe that the most important light is the one within, that can be shared with others. Remember: “You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds….” Many small lights will make the whole world a better place. Brighten the corner where you are.
Coming up
December is Aids Awareness Month and Spiritual Literacy Month. The 18th to the 24th is Gluten-free Baking Week. Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day is Dec. 18, and it is also Arabic Language Day. The 20th is International Human Solidarity Day and the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children. Crossword Puzzle Day, Humbug Day, Short Girl Appreciation Day, World Peace Day, Winter Solstice, and Yule all fall on Dec. 21. Hanukkah begins the 24th, which is also Christmas Eve and Egg Nog Day
And to replenish all those goodies eaten up this week, the senior shopping bus’s next trips are scheduled for Dec. 28 and Jan. 11. Call CDTA at (518) 437-5161 two days in advance to arrange for pickup.
The bus trip to Cooperstown scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 17, has been canceled because of an expected snowstorm.
The Lunch Bunch Holiday Party is this coming Monday, Dec. 19. There will be cookies to decorate, a tree, and a guessing game with prizes!
Menu
Remember, there will be no lunch served on Monday, Dec. 26; the chefs and everyone else are getting a day off for the holidays.
— Monday, Dec. 19: Rosemary Chicken, sweet baked yams, California blend, wheat bread, mango chunks, and milk;
— Tuesday, Dec. 20: pork roast with gravy, seasoned oven roasted red potatoes, carrots, wheat bread, warm sliced apples with cinnamon, and milk; and
— Friday, Dec. 23: Lemon garlic fish, hash browned potatoes, mashed butternut squash, pineapple orange juice, rye bread, chocolate mousse, and milk.
Doors open at 11 a.m., and lunch is served promptly at noon. We also have transportation to and from lunch! Just tell Linda Hodges when you call with your reservation.
Does your book club, Canasta group, or quilting circle need an easy place to meet? Why not meet at the Senior Center? Come have lunch with us, and then get together with your friends! There’s plenty of space, and the center is open for all of us. We already have games, dominoes, and cards after lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays, so join us.
Please call Linda Hodges 24 hours in advance to (518) 872-0940 to reserve lunch, or email her at: , or sign up when you come in. Tell us how many are coming, your name, and your telephone number. If you’d just like to come and help out, give Mary Moller a call at (518) 861-6253, or email her at , and put “volunteer” in the subject line.