Happy Holidays

NOTE: These are my own views and observations. While I don’t voice them often, I do when I see that there is a disconnect in the thinking and conversations going on around me. We need to focus on what is really important in our own lives because change comes from within. If you don't like what I have to say, well then don't listen. I’m to the point in my life that I don’t and won’t deal with that childish BS anymore. If you are still with me, then please read all the way to the end, but be warned it is long.

I've seen a lot of posts saying that we need to “bring Christmas back to America”. We don’t need to bring it back, its been here all along. What needs to happen is that we need to acknowledge that it is only one of the many religions practiced in America today and one of the minority religions on this planet.

Here’s a bit of history that maybe we have all forgotten; our nation was built on a foundation of religious and political freedom. Our forefathers were fleeing the persecution of the English monarchy when they rebelled, settled, and became an independent nation. Why should we suddenly decide that America is only for Christians? On the boat with those Christians were people with different religious views like the Quakers. They could be considered Christians, but their religion and social views are different from Catholics and Protestants. How about the Amish, Mennonites, and Mormons do we discount their views also? Do we try to abolish all religions besides our narrow definition of Christianity?

It is true that we may have become too politically correct, but that is a sign that as human beings we are continually evolving. Eventually we will find a balance, because it all works itself out in the end. It is the middle struggle that is the hardest and shows us how far we have come from our origins. That being said, it is important to understand why many of us have turned to the phrase “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”. Our country is known as the “Melting Pot”; there is a diverse population celebrating many different events starting at the end of November and ending the first full week of January. No one is trying to get rid of Christmas, they are just trying to be more inclusive of those around them who celebrate different holidays during this same time-frame. Below is a list of just a few of the holidays that are celebrated alongside Christmas. (My sincere thanks to Wikipedia, Huffington Post, and a couple more helpful university blogs)


Advent: four weeks prior to Christmas (Western Christianity).Chalica: A holiday created in 2005, in the first full week in December, celebrated by some Unitarian Universalists.
Saint Nicholas' Day: 6 DecemberAshura: the 10th day of the first month on the Islamic calendar. Sunnis, the largest group of Muslims, remember that the Prophet Muhammad fasted in solidarity with Jews who were observing Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Shiites recall the death of Muhammad's grandson in battle, an event that led to their differences with the Sunnis.Festivus for the Rest of Us: If you don’t celebrate any of the above holidays, but don’t want to feel left out, you could start commemorating Festivus, the December holiday invented by Frank Costanza on Seinfeld. Instead of a Christmas tree there is a pole, which is central to the “airing of grievances” between family members. There is also a “feats of strength” component, which could be fun. You can see clips from the “Festivus” episode on You Tube.Bodhi Day: 8 December - Day of Enlightenment, celebrating the day that the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni or Siddhartha Gautama) experienced enlightenment (also known as Bodhi).Eid al-Adha: The Festival of Sacrifice: this Muslim holiday honours Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to God. One of the two most important holidays in Islam, it follows the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). People who observe this holiday dress in their finest clothes, visit family, eat festive meals, and children receive gifts and treats.Our Lady of Guadalupe: 12 December - An important honor of Mexico's Patron Saint before Christmas officially begins on December 16thLas Posadas: 16 December -24 December - procession to various family lodgings for celebration & prayer and to re-enact Mary & Joseph's journey to BethlehemSaint Lucia's Day: 13 December - Church Feast Day. Saint Lucia comes as a young woman with lights and sweets.Winter Solstice: 21 December-22 December - midwinterDongzhi Festival - a celebration of WinterSoyal: 21 December - Zuni and HopiYalda: 21 December - The turning point, Winter Solstice. As the longest night of the year and the beginning of the lengthening of days, Shabe Yaldā or Shabe Chelle is an Iranian festival celebrating the victory of light and goodness over darkness and evil. Shabe yalda means 'birthday eve.' According to Persian mythology, Mithra was born at dawn on the 22nd of December to a virgin mother. He symbolizes light, truth, goodness, strength, and friendship. Herodotus reports that this was the most important holiday of the year for contemporary Persians. In modern times Persians celebrate Yalda by staying up late or all night, a practice known as Shab Chera meaning 'night gazing'. Fruits and nuts are eaten, especially pomegranates and watermelons, whose red color invokes the crimson hues of dawn and symbolize Mithra.Mōdraniht: or Mothers' Night, the Saxon winter solstice festival.Saturnalia: the Roman winter solstice festivalPancha Ganapati: Five-day festival in honor of Lord Ganesha. December 21–25. Celebrated by Hindus in USA.Festivus: 23 DecemberKrampusnacht: 24 DecemberChristmas Eve: 24 DecemberDies Natalis Solis Invicti (Day of the birth of the Unconquered Sun): late Roman Empire - 25 DecemberChristmas: 25 DecemberTwelve Days of Christmas: 25 December through 6 JanuaryYule / Midwinter / Alban Arthan / Winter Solstice (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid): The longest night of the year followed by the sun's "rebirth" and lengthening of days. In most traditions, Yule is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Some pagans consider Yule to be the beginning of the new year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: Burning the yule log (which was traditionally part of last year’s yule tree) is an act of faith and renewal that, indeed, the light, and the warmth will return.Anastasia of Sirmium Feast Day: 25 DecemberMalkh: 25 DecemberBoxing Day: 26 December - Gift-giving day after Christmas.Kwanzaa: 26 December - 1 January - Pan-African festival celebrated in North AmericaSaint Stephen's Day: 26 DecemberDec. 26, Zoroastrians observe the death of the prophet Zarathushtra, known in the West as Zoroaster. Tradition says he lived in what is now Iran in about 1200 B.C. His teachings include the idea of one eternal God; seven powerful creations: sky, water, earth, plants, animals, humans and fire; and that life is a struggle between good and evil.Saint John the Evangelist's Day: 27 DecemberHoly Innocents' Day: 28 DecemberSaint Sylvester's Day: 31 DecemberWatch Night: 31 DecemberNew Year's Eve: 31 December - Last day of the Gregorian yearHogmanay: Night of 31 December - Before dawn of 1 January - Scottish New Year's Eve celebrationHanukkah: A Jewish festival celebrating the miracle of oil.Gantan-sai (Shinto): Gantan-sai is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion. General Practices: Practitioners pray for inner renewal, prosperity, and health, as well as visiting shrines and visiting friends and family.Epiphany / Twelfth Night / Three Kings Day (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant): This date is also known as Befana Day; commemorates the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and marks the time the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem and presented gifts to the baby Jesus. General Practices: Prayer, festive meals, offerings, gifts.Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Christian): Christmas is an annual celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah whose message and self-sacrifice began the Christian religion. General Practices: Many celebrate this holiday by attending church services, holding celebratory meals, and visiting family. Date details: Eastern Orthodox Christmas is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches.

So, when I say, “Happy Holidays” to you, what I am actually saying is, “Whatever Holiday you choose to celebrate during this season, I hope that it is a joyous time for you and your family.” My friends are from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and this is my way of including their holidays with the Christmas season. In the end, what we need to remember is “the reason for the season”. It is a time of renewed hope, joy, thanksgiving, love, and spending special time with our family and friends.

To all of you still here,

I wish you a joyous, safe, and beautiful Holiday Season whatever your beliefs. May you enjoy the little moments as much as the big ones for that what our lives are made up of.

Happy DohlstiChrismaKwanakahal-sai to each and everyone!