City tree lighting celebrates Milford cultures

Paige Howell of Paige’s Kindness Project and Santa throw the lever on the City of Milford Christmas lights

Each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the City of Milford holds an annual tree lighting ceremony with Santa throwing the switch to light the trees in front of City Hall. This year, additional activities were added along with recognitions of Hannukah, Kwanzaa and Christian beliefs. The program, attended by hundreds of people despite the bitter cold weather, began with a prayer led by Vice-Mayor Jason James and a message from Mayor Todd Culotta.”

“If you look, this crowd is amazing. If you could just see it from up here,” Culotta said, standing on the steps of City Hall. “This just shows how strong our community is this time of year, when we come together to celebrate each other, community and the birth of Christ. This is just a wonderful time of year. It is my favorite time of year.”

The First State Harmonizers sang Christmas carols as did Milford School District students. Neyda Albarran, chairperson of the newly formed Multi-Cultural Committee with DMI, along with her fellow committee members, Darron Johnson-Wilson and Dwayne Powell, were instrumental in bringing the new activities to the event. These included a children’s activity tent, led by the Milford Public Library along with free cookies and glow sticks provided by DMI. After the mayor’s comments, Dwayne Powell presented the Kwanzaa kinara.

“Kwanzaa this year will be celebrated December 26 to January 1. The kinara is a candelabra that holds seven candles representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa,” Wilson-Johnson said. “The word “kinara” is Swahili for candleholder. The seven principles are Umoja or unity; Kujichagulia, self-determination ruler; Ujamaa, cooperative economics; Kuumba, creativity; Ujima, collective work and responsibility; Nia, purpose; and Imani, faith.”

After presentation of the Kwanzaa kinara, several children presented the Hanukkah menorah.

“Because our Jewish community is celebrating Sabbath, we have asked children to bring up the Hanukkah Menorah. Hanukkah will be celebrated from the evening of Wednesday, December 25 to Thursday, January 2,” Albarran said. “The menorah that is used for this celebration has eight branches and one central branch, known as the shamash. A candle is lit every day for eight days to celebrate God’s miraculous provision.”

Albarran explained that a small band of Israelites were able to ward off the Syrian Greek Army, but the temple was destroyed. In order to remain a temple, a menorah had to be lit every night. There was only enough oil left to keep the menorah lit for one night and it would take eight days to produce more oil.

“Yet, in the midst of difficult times, God breaks through with miracles and allowed the portion of oil to last eight days. During this time, the Israelites worked to restore the temple and rededicate it to worship,” Albarran said. “Hanukkah means dedication. The shining lights on the menorah remind us that miracles do happen, and there is always hope.”

Reverend Rick Upchurch of the First Presbyterian Church of Milford presented the Advent Wreath.

“Advent is celebrated by Christians this year from December 1 to December 24. Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent means arrival. Each week a candle is lit. Each candle has a meaning that echoes the theme and purpose of the birth of Jesus,” Wilson-Johnson said. “On week one, we light the candle of hope. On week two, we light the candle of peace. On week three, we light the candle of joy, and on week four, we light the candle of love. Many churches have a central candle which is lit on Christmas Eve, and this is called the Christ candle.”

After the presentations, Albarran introduced Paige Howell, founder of Paige’s Kindness Project.

“We’d like to present to you a special organization that will be helping us later to light the light here in City Hall, Paige’s Kindness Project,” Albarran said. “Paige’s Kindness Project helps our community with random acts of kindness, our schools, our community, families and individuals have all been blessed by the hard work of Paige’s Kindness project, and she will be helping Santa throw the switch.”

After more carols by school students, the crowd joined Santa in singing “Jingle Bells” before Albarran counted down to the throwing of the switch, lighting the decorations in front of City Hall as well as the trees along South Walnut and Southeast Front Street. The lights will remain lit through the holiday season.