One of the joys of JoHannaMassey.com is the variety of people from around our planet; whose lives, interests, and perspectives are so varied, so interesting, often challenging, and so vividly expressed and shared on WordPress. Enthusiasm to honor our holidays is shared worldwide. Those times to pause from the work-a-day pursuits, differences, challenges, and responsibilities. The holiday season has the potential, and so very often brings out the best, most generous, appreciative, creative, and good parts of being human. Snow on the San Francisco Peaks in the photo pictured above arrived here in Arizona right on time to boost that holiday spirit.
2018 has been quite an unsettled year for our shared planet earth. However humble or lavish, reverent or light-hearted the honoring of December holidays will be this year, their enriching value in our lives never changes.
A sample of celebrations for this month:
Kwanzaa- December 26-January 1- celebrating the history, heritage, and culture of the African American and African Diaspora (the dispersion of people from their homeland).
Christmas- December 25- Christians celebrate the birth of birth of Jesus the Christ.
Chanukah December 2-December 10- The Festival of the Lights. In Judaism, the re-dedicating of the Holy Temple following Israel’s defeat of the Greek Army. With only enough oil to light lamps for one day, the lamps stay lit for eight symbolizing the Goodness of God.
Pancha Ganapati– December 21-December25 Hindus worship Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed Lord of culture/new beginnings. A time to mend miss steps and bring Lord Ganesha’s blessing of joy and harmony to family, friends, associates, culture and religion.
Winter Solstice: December 21 –shortest day of the year. Welcoming back the light to follow
Soyal – December 21 Hopi and Zuni Tribal members honor the winter solstice, Soyal honors the beginning of the return of the light and a New Year around the seasonal Wheel of our Lives.
Shabe-Yalda- December 21- Iranian Interfaith celebration of the rebirth of the sun on winter solstice.
Mawlid al-Nabi: December 12- the birth ( Islamic Calendar) of Muhammad (prophet of Islam).
Bodhi Day December 8- Buddha’s Day of enlightenment
Thank you to each and everyone of you this holiday season. Heartfelt gratitude and joy for all of your kindness in support of JoHannaMassey.com. during 2018. All my best to you and yours.
Todays Music: Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra – Silent Night
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