Most of the festivities associated with Christianity are actually derived from Pagan celebrations. Nobody really knows when Jesus, assuming he existed, was born or crucified - or even much about him. The celebrations have been so commercialized that they no longer have a major relevance to religious observance, and people of many faiths enjoy the festivities and spend a lot of money at local stores buying seasonal goods, which would seem to be a good reason for the city to sponsor some of the events. I have itemized some of the historical contexts taken from Google below.
Jewish celebrations date well back before those of Christianity and relate directly to documented events in Jewish history, not Pagan rites. However, at least in California they do not result in the huge amounts of money spent by the general population, like the Christmas festivities. Therefore, if the City sponsored those, it would get less "bang for the buck" in sales tax revenue so there is a financial argument in favor of Christmas, Halloween and Easter. That does not mean non "Christian" events should not be recognized, or funded to some extent. Many would welcome knowing more about those festivities: some of which seem to occur around the time of the Christian events.
There are a lot of other cultures with celebrations that I would like to know more about. Drew Combs referenced indigenous people. If there are such celebrations, it would be great to know of them. (One such is the Pow Wow put on by Stanford) There are other religions/customs celebrated by residents of Menlo Park that should at least get some notice: Hindu Diwali, Iranian New Year, Japanese Obon festival, Chinese New Year, Juneteenth, Pacific Islander events, and probably a lot more of which I am ignorant.
FROM GOOGLE:
CHRISTMAS
Pagan Origins of the Christmas Tree
It is believed that evergreens were widely used in ancient pagan cultures as a symbol of eternal and renewing life. There are Roman mosaics depicting Dionysus carrying an evergreen tree.
Because Christmas is the holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ, as a light in the dark world, the lit tree was a reminder of that light. The Christmas tree also represents the Tree of Life, commonly recognized as the most important tree in the garden of Eden.
Both the protestant and catholic traditions lay claim to the first Christmas Tree, while many tie it to ancient pagan rituals. The first documented Christmas tree originated during the Middle Ages in Germany and has ties to the Garden of Eden.
Because the evergreen flourishes all year round, it came to symbolize eternal life through Christs birth, death, and resurrection. However, the custom of bringing tree branches indoors in the winter began with the ancient Romans, who decorated with greenery in the winter or put up laurel branches to honor the emperor.
Evergreens (Christmas Trees)
Were also used as a sign of eternal life by early Christians in catacombs under Rome. But until the mid-19th century, Christians viewed the Christmas tree as a foreign pagan custom. Pagans would bring fir trees into their homes at Yuletide because it represented everlasting life and fertility.
Holly & Ivy: decorations at Christmas
In many ancient cultures, the howling, icy winds in the dark nights of winter were believed to be ghosts and demons. Decorating with holly and ivy was thought to ward off these evil spirits. Holly has long been associated with winter holidays.
Hollys sharp leaves came to symbolize Jesus crown of thorns and its red berries the blood he shed. Ivy became a symbol for eternal life in Christ. Today, holly and ivy are still used in celebrations of both religious and secular Christmas.
Santa Claus (aka St. Nicolas)
What is the origin story of Santa Claus?
[The History of Father Christmas | English Heritage]
The origins of Sinterklaas can be found in the stories of St Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek bishop from Myra, now in modern-day Turkey. St Nicholas was credited with a wide variety of miracles. According to one story, he resurrected three youths after theyd been murdered and pickled in a barrel by an innkeeper.
Saint Nicholas
Nicholas was known for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity.
The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around A.D. 280 in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness.
EASTER
The origin of Easter eggs can be traced back to ancient pagan traditions and they were later incorporated into Christian celebrations. Eggs have long been associated with fertility, rebirth, and new life, but the precise origin of Easter eggs is not definitively known, and various theories and interpretations exist.
The use of eggs as favors or treats at Easter originated when they were prohibited during Lent. A common practice in England in the medieval period was for children to go door-to-door begging for eggs on the Saturday before Lent began. People handed out eggs as special treats for children prior to their fast.
Easter Bunny
The Easter bunny and Easter eggs originated as pagan symbols of spring and rebirth. Over the centuries, these ancient symbols became associated with the Christian holiday of Easter such that the two traditions have merged together to become what some celebrate today.
One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny. Rabbits, known for their energetic breeding, have traditionally symbolized fertility.
HALLOWEEN
Halloween - Wikipedia
Halloween - Wikipedia
Halloween or Halloween[7][8] (less commonly known as Allhalloween,[9] All Hallows Eve,[10] or All Saints Eve)...
Trick or treating Trick-or-treating - Wikipedia
Trick-or-treating - Wikipedia
The history of trick-or-treating traces back to Scotland and Ireland, where the tradition of guising, going hous...
BOTTOM LINE:
I am not religious, do not celebrate any festival but respect the beliefs of others. I do believe that a decision as to City sponsorship of so-called religious events rests essentially on economics. The "Christmas" lights along Santa Cruz Ave are welcome on dark wintery evenings and promote business. To my memory they last long after Christmas and cover the period of Hanukka which I believe is called the Festival of Lights and celebrates a historical event important in the Jewish religion. So I do not see a problem related to the lights. The city is not putting up a cross - or a menorah. The message of all the festivities associated with Christmas is kindness, giving, and generosity: something greatly needed in todays society and is a common thread of most religions. Most of the city events are for kids: photos with Santa, Easter egg hunts, Christmas presents etc. Actual religious events occur in Churches, Synagogues or Temples.
Given the appalling humanitarian situation in Palestine, this is the wrong time to be worrying about city sponsorship of Jewish religious celebrations.
