Celebration!

Folk worldwide observe many seasonal days of celebration during the month of December. Most are religious holy days, and are linked in some way to the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. On that day, due to the earth's tilt on its axis, the daytime hours are at a minimum in the Northern hemisphere, and night time is at a maximum. (In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice is celebrated in December, when the night time is at a minimum and the daytime is at a maximum.

Some people value the range of December celebrations, because it is evidence of diversity of belief within our common humanity. They respect both their own religious traditions and those of other faiths for their ability to inspire people to lead more ethical lives. Diversity is to them a positive influence, so here is a little Kool aid, to help it along.

A passage in Leviticus (18:3) which reads: “You shall not copy the practices of the land of Egypt where you dwelt, or of the land of Canaan to which I am taking you; nor shall you follow their laws.” Some scholars believe Winter Solstice violates this rule, while others do not. The issue that divides them is generally whether or not they see Winter Solstice as honoring other gods, rather than a celebration of creation, and the divine gift of life. I see no reason to shrink the Master Creator of all; down to any single religious camp. This should be a time of universal Love, we miss the boat when we fail to see that God in being both our Mother and Father, has no limitations in His, or Her love for us all.

Festival of lights, Feast of Dedication, Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia, occurs in mid December. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Creator manifests as the Great Mother to some, as well as the many other Holy Names of the Great Spirit. We also enjoy harmless myths like Santa Claus and Old Man Winter.
This is a time, and festival of inner renewal.

For it strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. Decorate your home with lights, greens, and holiday colors. Bless your home with a menorah or hang a Yule wreath on your front door and sprigs of mistletoe inside. If you are part of a group, you can take up a collection of food and/or clothing at your gathering and give to a social service agency to distribute to the needy. One can give thanks by placing seeds outside for wild birds to feast upon. Greet the Sun at dawn on Solstice morning with joy by singing praises to the Most High,or just make a joyful noise unto the Lord with bells horns or whatever. And as you do pray for greater understanding and love for all mankind, and a more peaceful planet.






Your thought advocates Judaism, Brahmanism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. In my thought there is only one universal religion, whose varied paths are but the fingers of the loving hand of the Supreme Being. In your thought there are the rich, the poor, and the beggared. My thought holds that there are no riches but... life; that we are all beggars, and no benefactor exists save life herself.

Many a doctrine is like a window pane. We see truth through it but it divides us from truth. I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit.
Kahlil Gibran