The mission of the Committee on Multicultural Initiatives and Diversity (COMID) is to foster our community and environment where the richness of our diversity is recognized, respected and embraced. Our view on diversity includes, but is not limited to, ethnic, racial and linguistic heritage; religious traditions; gender; sexual orientation; age; and socioeconomic status.

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Christmas  - December 25^th 

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.  The word Christmas comes from Old English “Cristes Maesse” or Christ's Mass. The story of Christmas comes chiefly from the Gospels of Saint Luke and Saint Matthew in the New Testament.  According to Luke, an angel appeared to shepherds outside the town of Bethlehem and told them of Jesus' birth. Matthew tells how three kings followed a bright star that led them to Jesus. They brought gifts to impart upon the baby as a gesture of good will and honor.  For many Christians, the giving of these gifts was the first act of Christmas, and this gesture is imitated far and wide to this day. 

Christmas Trees: Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes.  The Christmas tree custom gradually became popular in other parts of Europe. In England Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, made Christmas trees fashionable by decorating the first English Christmas tree at Windsor castle with candles and a variety of sweets, fruits and gingerbread in 1841.  One year later, Dr. Charles Frederick Minnegerode, professor of Greek at the College of William and Mary, brought the first Christmas tree to Williamsburg, VA. 

Advent (The Season Of Preparation): Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day and ends on Christmas Eve (December 24^th).   Many Christians view Advent as a season of preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus.   

In many Christian homes, 4 candles are placed in a circular wreath, one for the four weeks before Christmas.  Traditionally, the Advent wreath contains 3 purple and 1 rose candle.  The three purple candles symbolize hope, peace, and love. These candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent.  The rose candle, which symbolizes joy, is usually lit on the third Sunday.  Sometimes a fifth candle is placed in the center of the Advent wreath.  This candle is lit on Christmas Day.   It is white, the color associated with angels and the birth of Jesus.