#08-024: A Visit from Saint Nicholas

"...his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot"
(Wikipedia)

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Note: December is the month of St. Nicholas, from his feast day on December 6 to Christmas on the 25th (or its eve). The connection between the two dates was cemented by Clement Clarke Moore's poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," first published (anonymously) in 1823.

"Santa Claus," as you may know, comes from the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas, Sinter Klaas. New York, where the poet Moore lived, had been settled by the Dutch--in fact, the southern tip of Manhattan Island was called "New Amsterdam" from 1609 to 1664--and so he had probably heard lots of Dutch lore about the saint.

See the full text of the poem. along with a FULL LESSON, in The Library.

BONUS! Hear a reading of this classic poem by me, Professor Jim Bucket!

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Get Ready: Do you believe in Santa Claus? What does he look like?

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#05-058: December Potpourri

Image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as seen in Juan Diego's cloak
(Wikipedia)

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Note: Faith in the Virgin of Guadalupe, the loyalty of the 47 Ronin, and the renewal promised by New Years Eve: December is a time of beginnings as well as endings.

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Get Ready: The story of the Virgin of Guadalupe teaches faith; that of the Forty-seven Ronin teaches loyalty. Which of these two virtues is more important?

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#05-057: Hanukkah and Kwanzaa

Hanukkah has nine candles; Kwanzaa, seven.
(Wikipedia: top, bottom)

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Note: Two December holidays very similar in some ways--Hanukkah and Kwanzaa--have different origins and serve different communities.

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Get Ready: Do you think it's important for members of "sub-cultures" to gather and strengthen their bonds in formal, ritual ways, or is it better for them to allow themselves to be assimilated (be absorbed into the larger culture)?

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#05-056: Christmas and St. Nick

St. Nicholas with the three babies he reassembled
(Wikipedia)

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Note: When we think of Christmas, we think of Santa Claus. But it wasn't always so! Meet Saint Nicholas and learn his story.

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Get Ready: Do you think the idea of Santa Claus makes an important contribution to our culture? That is, is he a more positive influence or a more negative one?

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#05-055: Chalica

A flaming chalice is the symbol of Unitarian Universalism.
(Wikipedia)

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Note: In December (or January) Unitarian Universalists celebrate their important principles and sources of wisdom.

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Get Ready: Read the list of "Principles" below. Which do you find most useful? Which is least?

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#01-201: Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
(Wikipedia)

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Note: The Nativity, Noel, Yule--English has several words for the holiday we usually call Christmas. Learn the background of these words, and how to say "Merry Christmas" in several languages.

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Get Ready: What phrase or phrases do you use to greet others at holiday time in December?

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#01-056: Happy New Year - Part II: New Year's Eve Traditions

Traditional Scots New Year's celebration
(Wikipedia)

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Note: We continue the look at New Year's traditions that we began in Lesson #01-055. Let's dig a little deeper!

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Get Ready: What is one thing about your life that you'd like to change? Is "making a resolution" a good way to do that?

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#01-055: Happy New Year - Part I: Talking about New Year's Eve

Times Square at midnight on New Year's Eve 2012
(Wikipedia)

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Note: In this lesson, five expressions have been underlined. You can find further explanations of them in Lesson #01-056.

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Get Ready: How do you celebrate New Year's Eve? Do you do anything unusual?

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