Thanks for that, Adelle. I celebrate Christmas but it is nice to know what
others do.

---
Joan

A good idea, Adelle.
I grew up in a small town on the prairies, and knew very little about
religious beliefs that were other than Christianity. Then when I went
to the city to attend university, I met a fellow student teacher who
was Jewish. Through her I learned about the meaning of Hanukkah and
the beautiful traditions that were associated.
I would love to hear about what other people do.

    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.

Adelle:

for those of us whose traditions DO NOT include
Christmas. Most cultures have some sort of celebration involving light
this
time of year. What are your traditions from your family of origin and
current family? Favorite memory?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While I was reared in a generally Christian home, my maternal grand
father was full blood Creek, so I was allowed to spend a great deal of
time with him.  The "clan" that he belonged to, had never accepted my
mother as part of their tribe, since Grannie Momma was a white woman,
so our family pretty much figured that we would never know our "other"
cultural history.  You know, aside from Christian (my dad and his
family) and Jewish (grannie momma and her family).

When I was 6 years old, my grandfather took me to meet the Elders,
apparently, he had done this with all of my siblings as well when they
turned 6.  The Creek don't have a celebration so much as just a
gathering.  All members bring their children who are 6 or older to be
judged by the Elders.

I am the only member of my immediate family that the Elders found to be
acceptable.  I don't remember a lot of what happened, but I do remember
the "blue bread" (Chud-da Ha-ga) and the Sofkey (beaten corn with water
and lye or ashes).  They also told stories of how the clans were
formed, how the earth was made, The story of the Thunder Helper (to
teach people not to be afraid of thunder and lightning)...  That is my
favorite memory, the stories and the food (sofkey is actually good once
it's sour too).

I went to the gatherings every year until I was 18 (and sometimes that
trip was way too long).  I've been to a few since I turned 18, many
years ago, but none have the "magic" that those did when I was young.
Smokie Darling (Annie)

that's soooooo warm and nice, adelle.  very sweet celebration.  i'm glad you
guys got to stencil/flock your windows with meaningful symbols.  glad your
mom got to see that her fears didn't have to come true, too.  thank you so
much for sharing all this with us.

i want what you wrote/shared with us to have centerstage and shine.  so,
i'll bow out of cluttering this lovely piece of you with my ol' stuff.

kate