Having grown up in the 1970s and celebrating Christmas at this time of year, my memories of December are filled with singing carols at school and watching Christmas specials on TV. From the many animals gifted in the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, to the talking animals of animated specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Night the Animals Talked, animals abound in the Christmas culture of my youth.
Of course, we know that Christmas is a relative newcomer to the season marked by the Winter Solstice. Many of the traditions adopted for Christmas came from the older pagan holidays of Yule and Saturnalia. Indigenous cultures also had rituals involving animals in wintertime. Without the modern conveniences of refrigeration and global food distribution, our ancestors would have been dependent on animals for food throughout the winter. Hunting rituals and ceremonies were held “to appease the spirits of beasts killed for food” (Matthews & Matthews, 1998).
Over time, these rituals evolved into traditions like the use of “Guisers” – masked men and women dressed in the skins of animals – in midwinter celebrations. At FUS, animal characters often show up in our Mummer’s plays, whether it be Krampus, the ancient goat-like character who keeps children in line, or Rudoph, the sweet misfit reindeer (who may just show up in this year’s play!). In this way, we carry on a tradition historically grounded in our connection to nature by identifying with the animals on which we were so dependent.
Nowadays, most of our food is consistently available throughout the year and some of us no longer consume animal products for sustenance. However, many people have maintained a connection to animals by having pets. Our dogs, cats, and other companion animals have come to play a big part in our homes and families. Given how important animals have been in the festivals of winter, our Winter Solstice celebrations seem particularly appropriate to have a collection that benefits our animal friends.
This year, the UU Animal Action Team is working with the North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center to set up a pet food and pet supply collection at FUS. They supply low-income people with free pet food and supplies so that they can afford to keep their beloved companion animals and can still cover their own needs for food, etc. The drive will take place during the month of December and a collection table will be set up in the gallery at FUS on Sunday mornings and at both Solstice celebration events. For more details on items the organization needs go here.
We look forward to seeing you at this year’s Winter Solstice celebrations!
–with contributions by Theresa Zingery, UU Animal Action Team
Reference
Matthews, J., & Matthews, C. (1998) The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas. Theosophical Publishing House.