REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED | | |
1. Bindu's Corner: This week, I'm switching up the order and starting off with Bindu's Corner.
2. Holiday History: The origins of the Christmas tree date back to ancient times, when the winter solstice was celebrated.
3. Around Town: The holiday light shows have already started this year. Get out and enjoy the Brisk evenings at the Tucson Botanical Gardens' Lights Up!, Reid Park Zoo's ZooLights, Tohono Chul Gardens' Holiday Nights, and the Winterhaven Festival of Lights.
4. Performing Arts: Performing Arts: I have a rundown of theatre productions, both holiday-themed and not so holiday-themed, for the month.
5. Season of Giving: Every year since 1952, the U.S. Air Force has dropped pallets of toys and essential supplies by parachute to over 50 remote islands across the Pacific as part of Operation Christmas Drop.
6. Dr. Hayward M. Fox, Ph. D.: The holiday season can be stressful. Remember that you can find relief in Dr. Fox's guided meditations.
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I hope you will pick and choose, and enjoy your reads.
Please feel free to share the Flock.
| | Now, to this week's Flock. | | Bindu has kindly shared a verse from the sacred Hindu text, the Yajur Veda, and a spiritual teaching from Swami Vivekananda for our contemplation. | | |
"Behave with others as
You would with yourself.
Look upon all living beings
as your bosom friends,
for in all of them there resides
the one soul."
–Yajur Veda (40.6)
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2. Christmas: History of the Christmas Tree
| | Ancient cultures have celebrated the winter solstice as the turning point toward shorter nights and longer days by bringing greenery into their homes for millennia. Ancient Egyptians adorned their homes with palm leaves and branches to celebrate the solstice. Romans decorated with evergreens, a fragrant symbol of resilience, and held feasts for their solstice celebration, Saturnalia. Christians in northern Europe eventually adopted the custom of bringing a tree into the home for Christmas celebrations. The tradition of decorating these trees with lights (candles at the time) began in 16th-century Germany. At first, Christmas trees were slow to catch on in the Americas, but eventually became one of the most recognized symbols of the Christmas holiday. | |
The History of the Christmas Tree Goes Back Farther Than You Might Realize
Brush up on the origins of the true hallmark of holiday decor.
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In what country did the Christmas tree originate? And are Christmas trees religious?
Despite the Christmas tree's roots in Christianity, most Americans refused to adopt the tradition at first because they believed it to be attached to pagan beliefs. The tradition was mostly contained to Germany until the late 1700s and early 1800s. Until then, the Puritans of New England upheld especially strict views of Christmas in America, and people were severely punished if they celebrated or decorated in any way. (They believed the holiday was so sacred that a church service was the only appropriate way to celebrate.) This solemn American observance of Christmas continued until Irish and German immigrants began to settle in America
German settlements, particularly in Pennsylvania, decorated community trees in the late 18th century, and soon the trees started to show up in the individual homes of German families. But most of the country was still skeptical. It wasn't until England's Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (who was of German heritage) were shown in a popular newspaper in 1848 standing around a Christmas tree with their family that the tradition became more widely embraced.
| | December 1848: The Royal Christmas tree is admired by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children | | |
Where did the custom of decorating Christmas trees originate?
Other than the candle aesthetic already established in Europe, decorations like ornaments (often imported from Germany) became more popular in the late 1800s, and homemade decorations like cookies and garlands (think: popcorn, berries, nuts, and more) became decorating staples.
As technological and industrial developments progressed throughout the 20th century, the more homespun decorations gave way to glitzy electric lights and synthetic materials, like tinsel.
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3. Around Town: Holiday Lights in Tucson
| | Between professional holiday light displays at the zoo, two local gardens, and a centrally located neighborhood proud of its reputation for over-the-top holiday decorations, Tucsonans have a wealth of options for getting out and into the holiday spirit on December evenings. | | Lights Up! A Festival of Illumination | | |
November 28th – January 11th, Tuesday – Sunday
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Last ticket sold at 9:00pm
| | LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination is back at Tucson Botanical Gardens. Trees dance under a million lights, tin stars twinkle, luminarias glow in grand chandeliers. Bring the family together for Southern Arizona’s favorite holiday tradition. | | |
Select Nights December & January
6 – 8:30 p.m. (6 to 8 p.m. on Encore Nights)
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Step into a dazzling world of light and color, while enjoying a flurry of holiday merriment that will put you in the spirit of the season. ZooLights: Holiday Magic, presented by Tucson Electric Power, returns select evenings December and January, shining bigger and brighter than ever.
Savor a cup of hot cocoa and a sweet treat as you stroll through an illuminated forest filled with festive displays and mesmerizing animal sculptures. Whisper your wishes to jolly St. Nick at his North Pole station, visit with other favorite holiday characters, revel in the quiet beauty of falling snow, and enjoy lively nightly entertainment at this beloved, must-see Tucson tradition. Make unforgettable memories you’ll treasure as you experience your Zoo beautifully decorated for the holidays with heartwarming adventures around every corner.
| | Tohono Chul Gardens • Galleries • Bistro | | Friday, December 5th – Sunday, December 21st | | |
A timeless Tucson tradition for families and friends to gather together and celebrate the Holiday Season.
Stroll through enchanting paths, revel in live entertainment, and bask in the glow of thousands of twinkling lights. Musicians and artists will captivate you as you savor hot cocoa and festive treats. Don’t miss out on this holiday wonderland!
| | Tohono Chul Holiday Nights | | Winterhaven Festival of Lights | | |
December 13th – December 27th
600 pm – 10 pm every day
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76th Annual Festival of Lights
This year is our 76th year of the Winterhaven Festival of Lights – one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the country.
The Festival of Lights celebrates the holiday season in Tucson and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people from all over southern Arizona. Moreover, the Festival is one the most important events for the Community Food Bank in Tucson.
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4. Performing Arts: December Plays
| | Arizona Theatre Company is presenting productions of the fast-paced thriller Heist in Tucson and Tempe/ Phoenix. If you're looking for something more holiday-oriented, there are three productions of The Nutcracker in Tucson this December. The World Ballet Company will perform it at the Fox Theatre in downtown Tucson on the 14th. Ballet Tucson will perform it, accompanied by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, at the Tucson Convention Center's Ronstadt Music Hall on the 19th through the 21st, and on the 22nd, NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet will be performed by an international cast accompanied by young Tucson dancers from Flor de Liz Dance at Centennial Hall. | | Arizona Theatre Company
Heist
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Tucson: November 30th – December 20th
Tempe/Phoenix: January 1st – January 25th
| | Inspired by caper films like “Ocean’s Eleven”, “The Italian Job”, and “The Sting”, this fast-paced, high-stakes thriller is packed with double crosses, disguises, and daring escapes. When a team of professional thieves assembles to steal the world’s rarest jewels, the plan seems foolproof – until it goes spectacularly wrong. Tensions rise, betrayals mount, and “Heist” becomes a rollercoaster of adrenaline that will keep you guessing far beyond the final curtain. | | World Ballet Company
The Nutcracker
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December 14, 2025
3:00 pm
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World Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker is a vibrant holiday production filled with festive magic and timeless music, honoring the best of this beloved ballet. Featuring 40 professional dancers, over 150 dazzling hand-crafted costumes, and exquisite hand-painted sets, this sugar-dusted spectacle is designed to delight audiences of all ages.
From the twinkling Waltz of the Snowflakes to the enchanting Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, every scene captures the wonder of the season. Whether you’re sharing the experience with children or gifting yourself a holiday treat, The Nutcracker is the perfect way to celebrate.
| | Ballet Tucson
in Partnership with Tucson Symphony Orchestra
The Nutcracker
| | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | | December 19th – December 21st | | |
A world of wonder awaits you at Ballet Tucson’s The Nutcracker in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra! Treat your loved ones to Tucson’s favorite holiday tradition. This award-winning production brings the enchanting story of The Nutcracker to life with sensational dancing, lavish sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score performed by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s world-class musicians.
Don’t miss the highlight of Tucson’s holiday season. The perfect gift for the whole family!
| | Ballet Tucson Presents The Nutcracker in partnership with Tucson Symphony Orchestra! | | Talmi Entertainment
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
| | Share the joy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet with family and friends. Give the gift of a spectacular holiday experience featuring an international cast, whimsical puppetry and opulent costumes and sets, hand-crafted by the finest artisans of Europe. Go back to a simpler time and make memories your family will cherish forever. Celebrate the season with America’s most beloved Nutcracker tradition! Tchaikovsky’s timeless score sets the stage for a Christmas your family will never forget. Get tickets today! | |
5. Season of Giving: Operation Christmas Drop
| | I first heard about Operation Christmas Drop in 2022 and posted about it in the December 23rd issue of the Flock that year. For the past seven decades, the US Air Force has coordinated a multinational effort to deliver pallets of toys and essential supplies to over 50 islands across the Pacific. This type of diplomacy does more to engender goodwill than any speech could. | | |
Operation Christmas Drop is the Department of Defense’s longest-running humanitarian airlift mission. It began in 1952, when a B-29 Superfortress crew spotted islanders waving from Kapingamarangi, 3,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. In the spirit of Christmas, they dropped a bundle of supplies by parachute. That simple act of kindness sparked a tradition that now reaches more than 50 islands across the Pacific each year—powered by the generosity of individuals and communities.
Operation Christmas Drop is a PACAF-led event carried out by the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan; the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; the 734th Air Mobility Squadron, part of the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; the University of Guam; and the private Operation Christmas Drop organization, which spearheads fundraising and donations. Andersen AFB serves as the central hub for distributing goods across Micronesia.
| | Using the Denton Program, which allows private citizens and organizations to send humanitarian goods on U.S. military cargo planes, C-130J Super Hercules crews airdrop food, educational materials, and toys to some of the world’s most remote islands—including the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau—spanning an area nearly the size of the continental U.S. | |
6. Dr. Hayward M. Fox, Ph. D.: Guided Meditations
| | The holiday season is a joyous time of the year, but it can also be very hectic and stressful. Stepping back and taking a few minutes for yourself to meditate can help you relax and refocus. Getting quiet brings clarity. Dr. Fox is here for the Flock in many ways. Along with his study guides and the insights he shares through his blog, he has a catalog of guided meditations on his website, available to you at any time. I can recommend Silent light. | | These Flock regulars are always here for you: | | Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories! | | I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story. | | Subscriptions & Idea Submissions
Reminder: Your submissions are always welcomed. | | |
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Your fan and friend,
Beth
| | | The information and materials contained or referenced in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before beginning a new health care regimen. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical advice or care based on anything contained in this newsletter. | | | | |
