December means snow, advancing cold, and, most of all holiday spirit.
The majority of residents in the United States think of Christmas for December.
Nonetheless, for many, Christmas means Santa, not in a religious way.
Gifts, family, shopping, cheerfulness, laughter, predominate over the original meaning of Christmas.
Originally it was Christ-Mass in a truly religious meaning.
It can mean many things to many of us without unanimity of thought,
In essence it is the American way of viewing holidays and celebrations. No one size fits all.
Understanding and respecting differences is a strength of the American character.
The Jewish faith shares holiday thoughts in December, although not the same date each year.
Hanukkah is always on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, a lunisolar calendar.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Hebrew calendar is based on both the Sun and the Moon.
An article in The Voice, provides information on lighting a Menorah.
There are differences to understand and to respect in Jewish, Christian, and other religions.
The Buddha equivalent to Christmas is Vesak, with a focus on its leading god, Brahma.
The majority of religions distinctly different in customs and traditions, all focus on similar items.
Most religions espouse goodness, cheerfulness, positive thoughts.
Traditions and customs offer differences and often the trappings of differences cause disagreements.
We can respect the differences in religions and agree with the end result of spirituality.
It is easy to get caught up in the traditions and miss the point of goodness.
The Christianity point of giving gifts, of happiness, of goodness, of reflection, is uniform with all religions.
In a sense, seeking inner-reflection to an ideal that is bigger than self is a main point.
We can be joyful in the trappings of religion without working through a sense of guilt.
We all want good to prevail over evil, freedom over oppression, and light over darkness.
The human spirit has a sense of being positive, of joy, of celebration.
The human heart seeks to avoid negativity, rather to be uplifted.
We can delve into positive light on our own without the dictates of religious traditions,
Still, it is easier to accept the methodology of religious traditions and dictates.
A sense of joy and happiness in all religious trappings lifts up the soul and heart.
Joy and peace are worthwhile!