Eighth Incision [Video; Backdated to the Afternoon of the 13th]

[removeimpurity]

[The broadcast starts as any other one from Syre would: with the remnants of a meal just barely in frame and the alchemist sipping a glass of water. However, it seems she didn't mean to start the broadcast this early, as her expression slowly changes to one of surprise -- once she realizes the feed is on, anyway.]

Oh, I wasn't quite ready to talk yet. [She laughs, a bit embarrassed.] Well, I suppose I should get on with it.

[She clears her throat, takes another sip of water, then starts again.]

Good afternoon, Luceti. Bit of a grey day, don't you think? Reminds me almost of home, in a sense, with the sky looking as though it's about to snow any moment.

This will be my first winter here, so I'd like to ask: what manner of celebrations do we have here? What beliefs, what customs, generally prevail at this time of year? Are there feasts? Celebrations? Silent ceremonies?

I apologize for the barrage of questions -- I'm just a little curious.

Comments

[Video]

[mountain_sage]

Hmm...there's a holiday called "Christmas" at this time of year. We haven't celebrated it in my world, but apparently it is traditional for people to exchange gifts to one another.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Christmas is approaching, as is the New Year. And many other holidays. Earth culture has many such festivals, to break up the winter and give a festive atmosphere to calm nerves and provide outlets for stress.

Though I should think Christmas is the most common, and there are so many ways to celebrate it. Some treat it as a religious holiday for the birth of Jesus Christ, a prophetic figure. Other treat it as a day for couples and romance. And others still just celebrate it as a commercial holiday and a feast.

[Video]

[savedtheworld]

[He's not sure why, but something about her appearance troubles Aang. He's trying to remember something but he's not sure yet.]

Yeah, snow is really great! It's my first winter here, too, so I'm learning a lot about other worlds! It looks like people can celebrate whatever they want, but most of the village seems to be getting ready for this Christmas thing. It has feasts, celebrations and presents! Looks like lots of fun!

[mysicksadlife]

I don't suppose there'll be any mad rushes to the mall here. [Maybe the village shops.] But normally, I wouldn't recommend setting foot in a store once December hits. You'll get trampled on Black Friday, too, which is even earlier.

[In short: Christmas is shopping madness. Go elsewhere if you want the spiritual side.]

[voice]

[folklorist]

The winter solstice is coming up actually. December twenty-first in fact. Along with it will be Christmas on the twenty-fourth, and there's also Hanukkah and, um, Kwanza. I remember you telling me you had lots of snow in Ecliptia. Have you ever made a snowman by any chance?

audio

[contaeoro]

It seems to be that Christmas is being celebrated by a lot of the folks here, but it also appears that the decorations are set to accomodate the beliefs of anyone who's here.

[Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[It's an interesting question for Robert, too.]

Terran celebrations are... qu-quite different from the ones here... though the name seems... s-similar.

[The word "Christmas" has, over several hundred years, changed quite a bit - and lost most of its meaning. The majority of Terrans aren't even very familiar with the religion that spawned it. Robert is an example of that.]

... Regardless, I... f-find I know relatively little about it... from what I u-understand, it is mostly a time to... give and receive gifts, and... spend time with th-those whom one cares about...

[Video]

[quicktoanger]

"Well, the most common one where I'm from- and from what I can tell, around here- is Christmas, but there's actually a whole bunch of solstice holidays stretching back to ancient civilizations, and a lot of them are pretty similar."