Ah, December. The ringing of jingle bells until you want to smash the little buggers whenever they appear, the mad dash for holiday gifts, the dreaded anticipation of hordes of relatives appearing at your doorstep.
And yet, it is a time of serene beauty and joy. It is a time of solitude and dark nights, a time to contemplate the love in your life, and all your blessings.
Nights are made bright with blankets of pristine snow sparkling in the sublime moonlight. Days are made sweet with the ringing of children’s laughter in the snow. And the food… oh, so much food! Candies, cakes, roasts and eggnog. How can we keep from singing?
No matter what your beliefs, no matter what your religion, December is a month of peace and joy. So, Merry Christmas, Happy Channukah, Joyful Yule, and Happy Kwanzaa. Enjoy those things in life that you hold dear, now and throughout the year. Hold them tight and fierce, for tomorrow is a new day with new opportunities and possibilities.
Be of good cheer!
Why do I say ‘happy holidays’ rather than ‘Merry Christmas?’ Not because I hate Christmas or Christians, or want a war on any of them. Because there are many different holidays in this time, by many different religions. Here are just a few of them!
Some December festivals:
- Advent (Nov 29-Dec 24)
- Boxing Day (Dec 26th)
- Chanukkah (Jewish Festival of Lights)
- Christmas (Dec 25th)
- Hogmanay (Dec 31st)
- Hogswatch (From Discworld – fictional)
- Krampusnacht (December 5th)
- Kwanzaa (Pan-African Festival)
- New Year’s Eve (Dec 31st)
- Saturnalia (the Roman Winter Solstice)
- St. Lucia’s Day (Dec 13th)
- Yule (Pagan winter festival/Solstice)
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