It is Christmas morning and for many children (and grown ups to a lesser extent) worldwide, it is a wonderful and magical day filled with hope and promise and massive amounts of sugar. The holiday is overflowing with an abundance of obscure ritual, origins unknown to many.
The tree is a symbol of eternal life. How fitting, not only for a Christmastime tradition, but also for these here Jazz Hands pages.
Long before Christian customs took over the pine tree as a prominent holiday icon, pagan beliefs too had their symbolic trees, though not always a pine tree. To wit: Donar's Oak has similar meaning to Germanic Pagans as today's Christmas tree has for modern Christians. Saint Boniface (the Apostle of the Germans) was a Frankish Empire missionary credited with propagating Christianity within the pagan landscape in the 8th century, and is thought to be responsible for introducing the "Christmas Tree" enabling an easier path for pagans to convert.
Ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Hebrews viewed the evergreen tree, wreath and garland as symbols of eternal life long before Christians, thus rendering this tradition culturally all encompassing and rather timeless.
Of course it would be heretical to mention the Christmas tree tradition without noting that the Bible actually denounces the decorating of a tree cut from the forest (Jeremiah 10:1-25), that being said, I'm sure there's some misinterpretation with that passage's specific meaning and overall message. There is some reference to scarecrows in cucumber fields as well, so take that with a grain of salt...although I believe that is a warning against false idols that lie still in a time of need. Jeremiah's cautions were rarely heeded, although this may be the best indication that the tree tradition's origin is of a pagan belief structure, given the contextual connections within the Biblical excerpt.
Of course it would be heretical to mention the Christmas tree tradition without noting that the Bible actually denounces the decorating of a tree cut from the forest (Jeremiah 10:1-25), that being said, I'm sure there's some misinterpretation with that passage's specific meaning and overall message. There is some reference to scarecrows in cucumber fields as well, so take that with a grain of salt...although I believe that is a warning against false idols that lie still in a time of need. Jeremiah's cautions were rarely heeded, although this may be the best indication that the tree tradition's origin is of a pagan belief structure, given the contextual connections within the Biblical excerpt.
Santa Claus shares similar traits to the tree, originating when the Christianization of Germanic Europe was well underway. The pagan version of the modern jolly man was the god "Odin," associated with the midwinter event of Yule and led a spirited procession through the night sky. Of course, the image of Santa Claus we are left with today is an incredibly commercial depiction provided by none other than the Coca-Cola company. Brand marketing at its finest.
These ambiguous beginnings, potentially unknown due to the burning of entire cultures out of existence, quite literally wiping out civilizations and their historically relevant legacies, should not diminish the hope and promise we cherish about the rituals we exhibit today, however it's important to remember where we started, or in this case, potentially started.
This past week or so, I've spent a good amount of time revisiting previous Jazz Hands posts and it seems decisively relevant to hold onto origins as it is difficult to move forward without the context of where you've been.
From the beginning, Jazz Hands has been an opportunity to embrace each and every day on its own merit, to embrace the gift of life, and to embrace the people that life is shared with.
Christmastime is brief, as is life. The most important aspect of this spectacle, regardless of how we've interpreted the associated rituals, is embracing it.
This holiday and the Royal Jazz Hands share quite a bit in common as it turns out.
This holiday and the Royal Jazz Hands share quite a bit in common as it turns out.
Today's Jazz Hands wish you a Merry Christmas, whether you are a Christian or not.
Day three-hundred and fifty-nine complete.
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