Kwanzaa Offers a Strong Addition to Christmas

Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith: these are all virtuous qualities that define a strong people.

For the week following Christmas, African Americans usher in the New Year and celebrate their heritage with Kwanzaa from December 26 to January 1 by magnifying the seven principles listed above. Over 28 million people participate in Kwanzaa, particularly in the United States and Trinidad.

Kwanzaa, which means First Fruits in Swahili, was first created by Black Nationalist and Parsonburg, MD native Maulana Ron Karenga in 1966. He was first quoted saying that Kwanzaa was designed “to give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.” As it was a common belief of Black Nationalists and Pan-Africanists at the time, Karenga wanted Kwanzaa to counteract the “white religion” and perverse image of Jesus during Christmas by partaking in Eastern African communitarian philosophies. However, the 70-year-old scholar and professor have since pulled back from his hardline stance against mainstream holidays, as he was quoted in Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture in 1997, "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday." Fortunately today, most African-Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa practice it in conjunction with Christmas.

For 45 years, African Americans have used the holiday as a time to preserve the principles of their African ancestry through seven African principles, also known as Nguzo Saba. The seven principles, Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia (Self-determination); Ujima (Collective work and responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity); and Imani (faith) are each represented by a candle. The seven candles, sometimes called mishumaa saba, consist of three red ones on the right end of the kinara (candleholder), three green ones on the left end and a single black one in the center. The kinara sits on top of an Mkeka, or Kwanzaa mat, which is traditionally a straw-cloth. Surrounding the kinara should be an arrangement of muhindi, or ears of corn, to represent each child in the household — this is a part of Eastern African traditions of harvesting. Perhaps the single most significant necessity for Kwanzaa is the kikombe cha umoja: a communal cup that represents unity.

During each night of Kwanzaa celebration, a candle is lit up (usually by the children), starting from Umoja on the far right. Afterwards, family members pass around the kikombe cha umoja (communal cup), educational gifts or culturally enriching gifts (also known as Zawadi) and a basket of mazao, or fresh fruits and vegetables, from the Mkeka (Kwanzaa mat).

Most importantly, family members reflect and encourage one another to manifest the Kwanzaa principle of the day throughout their everyday lives. For example, you may want to celebrate Umoja by having dinner with your neighbor, Kuumba by writing slam poetry or rap lyrics with your little nephew and grandma (Why not? This is a fun way to make it a cross-generational family experience), and of course, Imani, by going to Grace Baptist Church of Christ with your friends and family for a day of prayer and worship.

On the seventh day, gifts, laughs and fellowship exude at the dinner table for the Kwanzaa feast, or Karamu, on January 1. This should be a good way to relax and enjoy your family as you bring in the New Year after a long watch night and family worship service back-to-back combination at Grace. This is also the time to bring out your best gifts for the children.

But Kwanzaa cannot be complete without one of the most pivotal rituals of the holiday. Make sure you don’t forget to fill the kikombe cha umoja with water for the libation ceremony. Libation is a powerful cross-cultural practice of the Ancient Israelites (Genesis 35:14), Greeks, Japanese, Africans, Shamans, Celtics and many others. Libation is used as a means to preserve the legacy and presence of your ancestry so that they may watch over you and live side-by-side with the family from Kwanzaa onward. In African cultic traditions, libation is practiced by the pouring of water from the kikombe cha umoja as participants yell out the name of those who have crossed-over. Thus, even those who have passed, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, are still the most common participants of Kwanzaa.

As you celebrate Christmas this year, consider adding Kwanzaa to your holiday line up. It is a great way to celebrate your culture, family and ancestry as you bring in the New Year and reflect on the powerful contributions and principles that define your heritage and future.

Broadway Hits Grace for Tony Worthy Performances

Sheep, angels and magi, oh my!

Last Friday night, Grace Baptist Church of Christ transformed into Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre. But it wasn’t the Lion King cast that captivated the pews; it was Grace’s very own drama ministry reenacting Jesus’ birth narrative from the early chapters of the Book of Luke. With the leadership of Sis. Tamara Hallett and the support of the Sunday School ministry, Friday night made for a joyous occasion.

The drama ministry put in the time to orchestrate two plays: A Different Type of Baby, which was performed by the youth, and A Christmas to Believe in, which starred Grace’s young adults. The first play provided a heartfelt presentation of the days leading up to Jesus’ birth, followed by a more comical experience with the likes of Bro. Keith Walls in the latter play, as Sis. Monique Williams tries to convince him that Christmas is more real than the old stories of a jolly hefty fellow named St. Nick. And of course, what would Broadway be without music? Grace’s adult choir provided their vocal support for renders of “Away in the Manger,” “the Savior of the World is Coming,” “Peace on Earth,” “Glory to the Newborn King” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain” as well as several other Christmas classics.

The most memorable moment of the night was produced by a herd of sheep; or more like the Sunshine choir with white cotton on their heads. The kids crawled down the aisles to meet Mary and Joseph by the manger. The kids also doubled up on their roles when they played as the angels in heaven discussing the birth of Jesus.

“Imagine that, a baby is coming as the Messiah!” Sis. Shameka Smith-Harding exclaimed as the angel lined up side-by-side.

But the most Oscar worthy work ethics belongs to Bro. Shawn Price. From a Roman guard to Joseph himself, Price played about as many roles as Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor.

A Christmas to Believe was certainly a more comical piece. Bro. John Casey says that Bro. Wall’s sarcasm stole the show. The story centered on Sis. Williams’ valiant attempt to convince Walls of the true message of Christmas. Mary, or Sis. Milly Cato, would constantly ask “do you believe yet” after each scene. After watching Sis. Ortiz appear as an angel to Elizabeth, Joseph, Zechariah, Mary and the Jews — over and over and over — the message finally grew on Bro. Walls. He Christmas wish also came true by the end of the night — every one indulged themselves with baked cookies and candy canes in the lower level of the Church.

Sis. Hallett and Paulette Boothe were most pleased with the overall results. Amidst working around everyone’s tough schedules, planning the show in early November around the same time as International Homecoming, Thanksgiving and other events and relying on the school to pitch in some of the props, the directors and Sis. Buzzy say “it was nothing but the Lord” that allowed Friday night’s showtime to run so smoothly.

Sis. Boothe says that the most rewarding part of the entire process is knowing that the play would convey a stronger picture of Jesus’ Birth Narrative and Nativity Scene for Bible readers. “Seeing people coming out, being a part of this, and really getting the message,” Boothe said. “Sometimes, when you read something, not everything connects or clearly comes out,” Hallett added. “The play brings the words to life. It’s just another way to communicate it and get it across.”

After such a stellar performance, what is next for the drama ministry? Disney World? The Aspens? Jersey Shore? None of the above. Sis. Hallett is already thinking about their next plays and recruiting the next Russell Crowe. “Come on out, we’re looking for some people!” she said. “Some hard working committed people.” Sheep, angels and magi, oh my!

Too Blessed to be Stressed

The Deacon wives sponsored a workshop on December 3, 2011 called “Too Blessed to be Stressed: Aroma Therapy.” The purpose of the workshop was for women to understand to take care and pamper ourselves because God loves us.

Proverbs 31 — the Virtuous Woman — was discussed. God uses our talents, skills and gifts to be a help to the Church.

We thank everyone who lead in the massage, facial and hand care workshops — and of course, the food was very nurturing. There were 40 women in attendance.

To God be the glory!

What's Happening at Grace Baptist Church of Christ

Congratulations Sister Queenie Wooten!

Grace's own Sister Queenie Wooten was honored as one of the grandparent awardees at the annual Grandparent Appreciation ceremony at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem, NY. Family, friends and Grace members turned out for an evening of music, gourmet dishes and recognition. Congratulations Sister Wooten!

Grace gives thanks on Thanksgiving

Tender strips of mom’s oven roasted turkey piled on top of your plate, soaked and satiated with gravy; sweet potato pie baking in the oven with a scent that seeps through the foggy window cracks and intoxicates every bystander with a sweet tooth; pounds of stuffing that mesmerizes the spoon before it can even find its way to your mouth; buttermilk biscuits that’ll bake your heart with every inch your teeth sink into the center.

Next Thursday is arguably every American’s favorite day of the year. No matter what walk of life, race or nationality you come from, there is something powerful about the traditions that Thanksgiving invites from all of us.

But Grace Baptist Church of Christ is making sure that the body remembers the most important part of the holidays: being thankful. On Wednesday, November 23, Grace will be having Her annual special Thanksgiving service. Members, family and friends are encouraged to show up and turnout for an evening of praise, food, fellowship and thankfulness.

Sis. Rachael Osbourne says that she will be celebrating the holidays with family traditions.

“Thanksgiving means the world to me because I am given the chance to celebrate it with wonderful people that God has blessed me with,” Osbourne said. “My family and I would have the wonderful tradition of attending the Macy Thanksgiving Day parade in NYC and, after a long day out there looking at the beautiful balloons, floats and performers at the parade, we would get back on the train to go home for a wonderfully prepared Thanksgiving meal by my Grandmother. These traditions I will never forget and plan to pass on to my children.”

Crystal Houser also expressed her joy for the holiday.

“Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays, much like Christmas and Easter. Thanksgiving should be celebrated just like it says…giving thanks,” Houser said. “Whether you’re spending Thanksgiving alone reach down (it shouldn’t be that far) and pull out one of those many things you should be grateful for and rejoice in that, even if it’s just for the moment. Then go out or pick up the phone and share that joy and thanks with someone else who’s finding it extremely difficult to appreciate why they’re still amongst the living.”

Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with you and your family and friends!