We are in the middle of major holidays at this time of year.
The first day of Hanukkah happened on December 3. Our Jewish friends celebrated “the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt. It is also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah.” Thanks to Wickipedia
Kwansaa developed in the mid-sixties with the rise of Black Power and is celebrated in January. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles:
Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. Seven candles are lit on each day. Thanks to Wickipedia
Ramadan for our Muslim friends is “a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts.” Thanks to Wickipedia. This year this holiday was celebrated in May in 2018. So why have I included it? Because the holiday moves around the calendar, and while I was a principal, there were many years when all of these holidays fell at roughly the same time of year.
Buddhism also commemorates in early December the Day the Buddah (Siddhartha Gautama the first person thought to have reached enlightenment) reached that stage.
Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25 commemorating the birth of Jesus beginning with lighting Advent Candles and culminating in Christmas Eve candlelight services. Candles and light are a big part of all these celebrations
The US secular culture with Santa Claus, Christmas carols, and baking, dominates our media. It’s good to remember we are an eclectic society and to make room for all faiths.
So however, you celebrate this season of light at the darkest time of our year, I wish you Happy Holidays. We at the Sisterhood of Suspense are grateful for each one of you.
(Previously published in my December, 2018 Newsletter.)
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Word by Word 
Thanks for the overview of the holidays. No wonder we say Happy Holidays in December. So glad we have the freedom to celebrate our beliefs. Happy New Year to You and to the Sisterhood!
JQ Rose
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Hey, JQ. Thanks for you good wishes. Appreciate you stopping by. 🙂
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Excellent post! Happy holidays and all the best in 2019. 🙂
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Hey, Joanne. To you and your family, too. 🙂
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Thanks for this great summary, Marsha! So handy to see them all together 😀 ❤
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Hey, Kathryn. I find this info comforting when so many people and countries seem to be bent on eliminating another group. Despite our worst behaviors, we are more alike than different. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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Thank you for posting about the many holidays, Marsha. I hope everyday is Merry and Bright! Hugs, VB
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Hey, Vicky, You’re welcome and hope you and Handsome are having a great holiday. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
Whatever your tradition, December is a time of joy and peace. Happy holidays from the Sisterhood of Suspense!
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The common thread is our belief in love, family and unity. Thank you for sharing this post, Marsha.
I’d like to take this time to say how much this group means to me, you all are the best!
Happy holidays ❤
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Hey, Jacquie. You’ve nailed it. We have more things that unite us than divide us, if we’d just give each other a chance. Thanks for the reblog. Ditto about appreciating this group. I’m blessed to be a part. I’m hoping in the next year or two to get up to the northwest to see some of the group that holds up near Vancouver. (Hmmm. I think of that as northwest, but I bet y’all think of it as southwest!) Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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We’d love to see you!
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Great information, and much needed. The story of the nativity is a brilliant blend of traditions and cultures. Thank you for the info on Kwanzaa. I didn’t know its origins.
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Hey, Robert. Thanks for joining us here on the Sisterhood of Suspense. 🙂
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🙂
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