December is a month buried under blankets of snow. Everywhere we look, holiday lights in all colors are twinkling. Inside, kitchens far and wide are preparing to create delectable confections to share with loved ones. The main holidays in December are Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanza. Traditionally, these holidays were called the Winter Solstice, Candlemas, Michaelmas, Yuletide, or Yule, depending on what region you lived in. This is a time when the waxing Sun overcomes the waning Sun and the shortened days begin to grow longer. This seasonal change is symbolized in many different beliefs systems. Pagans celebrate the Oak King overcoming the Holly King in Battle - the rebirth of spring triumphing over the death of winter. Witches celebrate the Goddess preparing to give birth to the God. Sound familiar? In fact, modern day Christianity borrowed most of their Yule traditions from pagan practices. Christmas trees, wreathes, gift giving, mistletoe, Yule logs, and even celebrating the birth of the Son - all came from times before Christianity even existed. Even Chanukah and Kwanza have similar roots. They are both festivals of light overcoming darkness and death. Nowadays, an aging man with a white beard symbolizes the old dying year in the form of Father Time or Santa Claus. And the New Year is symbolized by a newborn babe in the form of Baby New Year or Jesus Christ. With the world in the state that it is in today, try to take a moment to realize that all of us essentially came from the same place and that our beliefs, though coming with different names, all share the same message. Let's all try to stop focusing on the differences between us, and try to see all the many ways that we are the same.

The Full moon in December is called the Oak Moon. Astrologically, the first two weeks of December are an ideal time for healing and reconnecting with family. Start a new tradition! Make a family altar in a prominent place in your home. Have objects, pictures, etc., to represent all the members of the family. Add some vanilla candles or other relaxing scents like lavender. Whenever the hustle and bustle of the season start to get you down, stop a moment at the Family Alter and remember what the Holiday are really about - peace, love, and family. Little ones are getting very excited and often get underfoot. While older household members are trying to do a hundred things at once in preparation for the Big Day. Let the kids help out in a special way that will make them happy and give you some peace at the same time! Suggest they make a Milly Box. They can decorate shoe or plastic boxes with pictures and symbols of the Holiday, like candles, nativity scenes, God/dess images, etc. Then, let the kids fill the boxes with holly and other ever-greenery. Put the boxes in a high traffic area like by the front door. When visitors come over, let the kids tell them to leave a coin in the box and take some greenery to put in their wallets and purses. When the box starts to look full of coins, let the kids choose a charity to donate to. This tradition ensures that all involved experience a very prosperous New Year!