About The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 2019)
LIFESTYLE THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2019 • PAGE 14 Dpi himi What we overlook during the holiday season We’re in the middle of a joyous season when rich traditions are being celebrated. November, December and January are when people locally and around the world take part in religious and non religious celebrations of a broad variety. While each of us takes pleasure in those special days and observances we’re most familiar with, we tend to be self-absorbed and overlook other holidays that have significant meaning to some of our neighbors. While many people gathered with family and friends for Thanksgiving last month, others found significance in Mawlid—Nov. 9-10—an observance of the birthday of Islamic prophet Muhammad. While many Christians are busying themselves to embrace the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, in a multitude of religious and secular ways, Jews are preparing for Hanukkah—Dec. 22-30—which commemorates the rededication during the second century B. C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Kwanzaa, a non-religious holiday that runs Dec. 26-Jan. 1, was created in 1966 as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home for African Americans as a response to the commercialism of Christmas. Interfaith Calendar’s website lists 14 religious holidays in December including Bodhi Day on Dec. 8, which commemorates the day historical Buddha, Siddharatha Gautama, experienced enlightenment; Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, which recognizes the reported appearance of the Virgin Mary to a man in Mexico City and Feast of the Holy Family, a Catholic celebration that honors Jesus, Mary and Joseph on Dec. 30. It also lists 21 other January 2020 holidays recognized by Sikhs, Hindus, Hispanic Catholics, Ethiopian Catholics and people of the Bahai and Shinto faiths. Wouldn’t it be wonderful— and eye-opening—for those of us unfamiliar with the traditions and history of other holidays to take a minute and leam something new about their history and traditions. Many religious groups and organizations such as the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta welcome community members who are not part of their faith to participate in events they hold such as the Hanukkah Party they hosted on Dec. 15. I suspect that attending such events might lead to conversations we might otherwise not have, possibly new relationships and also make us more empathetic toward those who we live around and work with but who share different beliefs. Now that would certainly bring more joy to the season. This moment brought to you by dad. Take time to be a dad today. fatherhood.gov #DadJokesRule A & dr acf V . n National ft|“t Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse ES9
