The greeting of the Christmas time from the hostess of the family to the members
Just now we are living the darkiest time of the year here in North. It still is lightening the time of Advent, waiting the great Christmas, birth of Jesus. We have sang the hymn of Hosianna allready at 29th of Nov in churhcies, schools and even in homes. The first Advent candle was set on fire for the wait of Chritmas. The second one was set on fire for the joy of Christmas. On the same day we had our Independence Day. We spent that day seriously, almost dedicationly, especially because the day of he start of our Winter war was very near. At that time we remembered and honored those who defended our homeland. The 6th of Dec also is the day of St Nicolaus, exemplar of our Santa. The third candle is for peace of Christmas. You also could think on 10th of Dec the peace, because there were the Nobel celebrations of the peace in Oslo and the others in Stockholm. Also Lucia gave us more light, because she brings the light to us.
The Christmas time is very interesting because every individual and family have their own traditions if they come from east, west, south or north. In many cases these traditions are mixed from all those directions. The main traditions of Pajari- family is from the Karelian culture. It is very nice to think of our own heritage for our foods, drinks, flowers, songs and decorations and how they have changed during decades. For instance the the Christmas tree came to us from Germany via Sweden. It was common on the 1800 century. Martin Luther, Reformer, had in his home a Christmas tree on Xmas eve in 1536 in some picture. The late writer and president of Estonia mentions in his book ”Hopeakuusi” a Christmas tree in Tallinn from 1441 and tell it is an old ritual. The pruce has been a holy tree and has served save place during the people of Finnish-Ugrian.
Martin Luther has wrote the words to our Crhistmas gospel ”Enkeli taivaan” and he might have been also the composer of it. He wanted that Christ child would be the most important person, not the St Nicolaus who gave presents. From that borned Christkind, unvisible, angel with a wreath with gifts who is in Middle Europe in the German spoking areas for the joy of kids. Santa, Frost Guy and Santa Claus are adventuring some where else.
In the middle on the mess and noice it is good to stop think what is the message of the Christmas: joy, peace and love. It is not important in what religion or any you are. The time of Christmas offers us many things from the past decades from all the world especially at the time when all the news bring us real time news also of this day.
I do wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2010 to all Pajarians
Raija Hämelin
the hostess of the Pajari family