As the "cosmopolitan dude" on Tips I feel the occasional overwhelming urge to provide bits of cultural and social knowledge that help to inform the teaching of psychology (though it might not be obvious) and understanding the larger sociocultural context in which we operate (NOTE: I understand that there may be drugs available to treat this in the near future).
So, today, I hope to foster the recognition that, depending upon your beliefs, Christmas can come *twice* a year with today January 7, either as the primary or secondary Christmas (Apologies to Harold Takooskian and other Armenians who celebrated Christmas on January 6 --- or is it January 19?; this raises the interesting question of "Does Christmas come *thrice* a year?). The December 25 vs January 7 distinction exists because: (a) Originally the birth of Jesus was not seen as a cause for celebration, indeed, celebration of birthdays in the first centuries A.D. was associated with the pagans (I believe that Jehovah's Witnesses still hold this view and do not celebrate Christmas). It was only later the Roman Catholic Church, perceiving a "holiday gap" with other religions decided to associate Jesus' birth with the Winter Solstice which had existing pagan celebrations in many parts of the world. (b) The discrepancy in dating Jesus' birth arises from a change in calendars, from the Julian Calendar (which puts Christmas on January 7) to the Gregorian Calendar (which puts Christmas on December 25). [Trick question #1: What happened during March 12-20, 1528 according to the Gregorian calendar? Trick question #2: In the year 2100, those following the Julian calendar will celebrate Christmas on what day?] (c) The Gregorian Calendar has become the standard civil calendar for most of the world and is the calendar used by the Roman Catholic Church and Protestants for religious observances while churches following the Greek Rite and the Orthodox traditions often follow the Julian Calendars. Depending upon one's family and community affiliations, either one or the other or "DING! DING! DING!" *BOTH* are celebrated (not to mention some other paydays, er, holidays like St. Nicholas' Day which is another opportunity to give/receive gifts). So, Merry Christmas to all who observe January 7 (or January 6 or January 19 or whenever), whether you're: Russian http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/19391 Ukrainian http://www.infoukes.com/culture/traditions/christmas/ Greek Orthodox http://hyelog.blogspot.com/2006/12/christmas-comes-but-thrice-year.html Other Orthodox Christian Denominations http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20040107christmas0107p3.asp Coptic (Egyptian) Christians http://st-takla.org/Feastes-&-Special-Events/Coptic-Nativity-of-Jesus-Christ-Milad-El-Masih/Coptic-Jesus-Incarnation-Christmas-01-7-January-or-25-December-Coptic-Calendar.html or http://tinyurl.com/8qrjfh Ethiopian Christians http://www.jimmatimes.com/article.cfm?articleID=17560 http://www.ehow.com/how_10775_celebrate-ethiopian-christmas.html For the big picture regarding Christmas celebrations around the world, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwide Remember that historically Christmas has meant different things to different people and it is tempting to think that there is only one way to observe (or not) it. Perhaps we should try think of it as an occasion to experience some joy, goodwill towards others, and endeavor to engender cheerfulness. Even if your only present is a sweater. ;-) -Mike Palij New York University [email protected] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
