World's traditions give meaning to holidays

In Sandpoint, we celebrate this season as we do everything - eclectically and whole-heartedly. Some of us ski through the holidays on the slopes of Schweitzer, while some prefer the quiet warmth of home, sipping eggnog by the fire. Our streets glow with tiny white lights and Christmas trees shine through windows like beacons on a cold winter's night.

But what about the rest of the world? There is a world of people out there who all have their own different and fascinating traditions and celebrations this time of year.

The Christmas season in the Philippines is heralded with fireworks - lots and lots of fireworks. People set them off in the street while processions go from door to door, singing religious songs, leaving floral offerings and collecting for the poor. Children join in the processions by trick-or-treating for candy, like we do here on Halloween.

In Granada, Spain, the celebration begins with the symbolic jumping over bonfires as a protection against illness for the coming year. Left over from the old holidays surrounding the winter solstice this tradition, called Hogueras, harks the beginning of winter and the coming of the Christmas season.

On Christmas Eve in Norway, it is customary to visit the final resting places of departed family members and place a lighted candle on their graves. Later, while the family is sleeping, a group of gnomes, called Julnissen, come and leave gifts for good little children. Norwegians living in the country leave out a special bowl of porridge for the "barn elf" so he does not become mischievous and wreak havoc amongst their livestock during their holiday.

December in South Africa is a very festive time. People gather to sing and dance and tell stories passed down from generation to generation. Feasting involves days of preparation ending when families and friends gather together on camping trips and outdoor picnics to share food and drink under the hot African sun, wishing each other strength and health through the New Year.

Christmas in Mexico began as a time of solemn reflection and religious observances. Over time, these observances evolved into lively, fun and uniquely Mexican traditions. Each December in Mexico, Mary and Joseph's search for shelter is re-enacted in the festive ritual called "Las Posadas" (The Inns). People go door to door, asking for shelter and are flatly refused. Eventually, however, someone lets them in to pray together and celebrate with food and drink until the wee small hours of the morning.

Germans celebrate with roasted meat, beer, and a Christmas tree. Of all the traditions familiar to us in America, the Christmas tree is perhaps the most well-known. This symbol has been a German staple for hundreds of years. It became popular world-wide when Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, brought the tradition to England from his native Germany. Many of the German immigrants in America were already celebrating with their own "tannenbaums," and the tradition quickly spread throughout the U.S.

Brits celebrate the holidays by exchanging gifts and sneaking kisses under "kissing boughs." These evergreen boughs mixed with mistletoe hang from the rafters and the lips of anyone who stands under one are fair game. Familiar Christmas carols are sung through the streets and the peal of church bells can be heard on Christmas Eve.

There are too many traditions to count. There's Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights celebrated by Jewish people all over the world. And Kwanzaa, a holiday born during the civil-rights movement of the 1960s that celebrates the heritage of our African-American population. Both honor the handing down of traditions from one generation to the next.

Throughout the United States, and here in Sandpoint, traditions and cultures have blended to create something that is unique and special to each family.

This holiday season, we are all of us, on the great adventure of life together.

No matter what you call it, no matter what traditions you observe, this is a time to celebrate and honor the gift of life.

Do not squander it and do not take it for granted. Love, compassion, and understanding are the greatest gifts of all.