Welcome to the month of December- a time of celebration, endings, and challenges. The month of the holidays begins with the Feast of Christmas, the birth of a child. We are taught, “a child shall lead them”. There is a special, beautiful little child inside all of us. Take the time to make that child come alive. Get out to play and remember it is never too late to have a happy childhood. Christmas is the time to think as a child. Children are our greatest teachers. Let’s celebrate this Christmas with the spirit of a child. This is the season to celebrate life, lighten up, and try not to take life too seriously. Play, socialize, and share. Here are some principals you can go by:
- Always remember there is a Santa Clause. He is the spirit of giving and receiving. When you share your gifts and resources, they will be returned a hundredfold.
- Make this a time for rebirth. Renew yourself and make decisions that are healthy for you.
- Make this a time of forgiveness. Heal yourself and spend time doing the things you enjoy.
- As we get ready for the New Year let us all begin it with a prayer asking God to be our guide.
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, comes first. As we enter the month, we begin the season of winter. The days grow shorter, and the trees are bare. It is a time of ending. It is very appropriate that we celebrate the Festival of Lights. Our neighborhoods come alive with decorations and festive lights to teach us to come alive and reach within for the light and spirit within each of us. At the moment of our birth, God gave each of us the spirit and gift of life. We are powerhouses of love. The Festival of Lights reminds us to rekindle the spirit and energy to come alive and celebrate our talents and gifts. Remember to let go of negative attitudes and renew a positive spirit in life. Get out and let your light shine before the world. We can all celebrate the Festival of Lights within ourselves.
No matter who we are, where we come from, or what our belief systems we can all use the Feast of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa as ways that we can learn and grow from each other. Each one of them teaches valuable lessons that we can apply to our own lives. Let us all be open to each other. On a personal level I love all three. Christmas teaches me to celebrate the little child within me and to let the child remind me to try to look at life through the simple eyes of a child. “A little child should lead them.” From Hanukkah I learned to let the light shine within me. The Festival of Lights teaches me to look at life with a positive attitude. Kwanzaa teaches me to honor, respect, and celebrate my history and heritage. December is a month full of celebrations. Enjoy them.
The Feast of Kwanzaa begins the day after Christmas. All of us can learn from this special celebration. Take the time to celebrate your heritage and history. Take these days to reflect and be proud of your heritage. Kwanzaa is a celebration to honor the tradition and history of our African American brothers and sisters. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate our history and heritage also.
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to all of you. Enjoy these special days!
