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When someone wants you to share stories in December, it may not be so simple as to know what tales to tell. Any kind of story—from winter to Hanukkah to Christmas to Kwanzaa—could be implied.
Sometimes sponsors narrow the field by saying, “I want Christmas stories” or “I want Kwanzaa stories”. Seems like easy requests, right? Wrong!
In the case of Christmas, does this mean stories about Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or does this mean stories of the Christ Child and Mary and Joseph? Does this mean memories associated with Christmas? What about other Christian stories? You will always want to know more than simply “Christmas stories”.
The setting helps figure out what kinds of stories would be most appropriate.
Since public libraries have books on all the December holidays, these places tend to be open to storytelling programs that give equal time to Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. With the United States being mostly Christian, there will also be the libraries where complete programs would be dedicated to Christmas.
Within public schools, there could be tension toward anything religious so often Christmas is reduced to the commercial side of the holiday and without any mention of the baby Jesus. As Hanukkah celebrates a miracle and is not theologically important to the Jews as compared to Passover or Yom Kippur, schools may feel more freedom to discuss Hanukkah in the classroom. Kwanzaa is not based on any type of theology—rather it celebrates the culture of African-Americans.
Private schools have their own rules, especially ones of religious affiliations. They do not have to follow the traditional "separation of Church and State". One Christian elementary school I performed at requested that no Santa Claus-type stories be shared. Christmas memories and spiritual stories were encouraged.
Ironically, for the churches I have performed at, usually Santa Claus is one of the special guests. This opens it up for me to share mostly religious stories with a last story about Santa Claus as he usually arrives after my storytelling concert. There are even stories that combine Santa and the Christ Child so that the theme can run throughout my session.
Corporate settings with diverse workforce usually want to respect all of the December holidays. I told in one building for the company holiday party where the first floor was dedicated to Christmas and the second floor was dedicated to Hanukkah. I was on the third floor where my program gave equal time to the three main December holidays: Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. I would not be surprised if some day there will be another floor dedicated to Kwanzaa.
Care must go into crafting the holiday stories so as to respect either the religion or the culture they are coming from.
When sharing stories about a holiday that the audience may not be familiar with, you may need to tell a quick version of “the Hanukkah story” or “the Christmas story” or “the Kwanzaa story” or at least make references to some of the important symbols and principles celebrated. In many ways, the background of how these holidays came to be is more of your introduction to your program rather than your core repertoire.
I feel most comfortable sharing Christmas stories—whether religious or social ones—as well as combination programs that give equal time to Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. I am not Jewish so I would feel inadequate to share a whole program on Hanukkah just as I am not African-American and I would feel inadequate to share a whole program on Kwanzaa. I would be an “outsider” to their cultures and telling their “insider” stories.
I find Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa as holidays I can completely celebrate and support. Jews tend to encourage people of other faiths to participate in Hanukkah and in Passover. Christmas tends to be celebrated everywhere, especially when out shopping. It seems almost impossible to not celebrate Christmas. As far as I understand, Kwanzaa is also a time that welcomes people of all cultures to share. The seven principles of Kwanzaa—symbolized by the seven candles—are ones that any one can honor.
To discover how you connect with these three holidays, enjoy some online resources below. You will find that many elements overlap.
So light those candles and stare up into the sky . . .there are many reasons to celebrate this December.
Online Resources:
All Three Holidays--“December Holidays”
http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/holidays.htm
Many links to Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa—though not specific to stories, you will get great background and ideas through the sites given.
“In the Spirit of Winter Holidays” from Bare Bones for Storytellers/Story-Lovers
http://www.story-lovers.com/bareboneswinterstories.html
Jackie Baldwin, a professional storyteller, upholds this site so you will get great insight on possible stories to pursue. She always reminds to get permission from any source before you tell.
Hanukkah Resources--
“Hanukkah Resources” from Flint Public Library
http://www.flint.lib.mi.us/fpl/hanukkah/index.shtml
This site lists the titles and authors as well as at least a line or two on what each book is about.
“Adopt-A-Book Hanukkah List” from Temple Beth Torah Library
http://sample.bitsurf.net/adoptabook/hanlist.html
This site lists the titles and authors and even appropriate age level, which could help when determining your audience.
“Hanukkah Stories” from Story-Lovers SOS Story Lists
http://www.story-lovers.com/listshanukkah.html
Jackie Baldwin, a professional storyteller, upholds this site so you will get great insight on possible stories to pursue. She always reminds to get permission from any source before you tell.
“Recommended Reading—Celebrate Hanukkah” from The New York Public Library
http://kids.nypl.org/reading/recommended2.cfm?ListID=51
This site lists the and authors for each book and divides by “older readers” and “younger readers”.
“Chanukah” from Fayette County Public Schools
http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/currl/holiday/chanukah.htm
Here we find several links that have stories to crafts to background information.
Christmas Resources--
“Christmas Stories” from The Children’s Literature Web Guide
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dKbrown/christmas.html
Discover many Christmas stories including several classics and legends.
“Christmas Stories from Around the World” by the Net Rag from Infostarbase.comhttp://www.infostarbase.com/tnr/xmas/
This site ranges from religious to social stories on Christmas.
“Christmas Stories” from Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries
http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/
Find religious stories--or at least ones geared toward touching/spiritual stories.
“Merry Christmas” by In His Image
http://www.annien.com/Holidays/Christmas/ChristmasStories/menu.html
This site lists favorite stories that anyone can post. You can even go under “Do You Know This Story?” and either ask how to find a certain story that you have little memory of or perhaps receive help from others in discovering the stories.
“Christmas Stories” from Story-Lovers SOS Story Lists
http://www.story-lovers.com/listschristmasstories.html
Jackie Baldwin, a professional storyteller, upholds this site so you will get great insight on possible stories to pursue. She always reminds to get permission from any source before you tell.
Kwanzaa Resources--
Kwanzaa Information Center
http://www.melanet.com/kwanzaa/symbols.html
Here you find great background information and even some pronunciations of key words.
“Kwanzaa Stories” from Story-Lovers SOS Story Lists
http://www.story-lovers.com/listskwanzaastories.html
Jackie Baldwin, a professional storyteller, upholds this site so you will get great insight on possible stories to pursue. She always reminds to get permission from any source before you tell.
“Reading about Kwanzaa” from Kansas City Branch of Kansas Public Library
http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/YS/BOOKS/KWANZBKL.HTM
This site provides title, author, synopsis, and even call numbers for each of the books so to be easy to find in the library.
“Kwanzaa” from the site of Eshu Bumpus
http://eshu.folktales.net/resources/kwanzaa/index.htm
Eshu Bumpus, a professional storyteller, shares stories that connect to each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
“Kwanzaa, An African-American Cultural Celebration” from Flint Public Library
http://www.flint.lib.mi.us/fpl/kwanzaa/index.shtml
This site lists the titles and authors as well as at least a line or two on what each book is about.
Until we tell again,
Rachel Hedman
Professional Storyteller
Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance
(801) 870-5799
info@rachelhedman.com
http://www.rachelhedman.com
http://www.yesalliance.com
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