Great Canadian holiday traditions

Ilove this time of year. I love that people from all over the world are thinking specifically about peace and generosity, about love and joy, about light and community, qualities that are to be valued and shared to make the world a better place.

It’s fascinating to look at the many and varied traditions that get celebrated in Canada during the holidays, traditions that have come from all over the world and from many different cultural backgrounds. Ask anyone about their family or community traditions around celebrating the season and you’ll probably discover some that are new to you as well as some that are shared.

What are your traditions? Do you eat mince or turkey, lamb or chestnut loaf? How about desserts? Shortbread is my favourite, but what about lebkuchen or pannetonne, bibingka or roejig, and just what is that figgy pudding that we keep asking for?

Do you light the candles of Kwanzaa or Hanukah or Advent? Or do you simply light candles to celebrate the light that we all seek in the dark days of midwinter. Do you attend worship services or community events? Do you gather with family or do you find yourself in a more solitary place? Is this a time that you look forward to, planning and baking, decorating and rehearsing, or do you struggle with this time of year, maybe missing loved ones or struggling with health or finances?

Whatever your answers, chances are that the holidays bring a heightened sense of expectation; sometimes it’s an expectation of joy, sometimes an