Remembering Why We Celebrate

After taking a few days off from all the hoopla of Politics, continued Warfare in Ukraine, ongoing Hatred in the Middle East, and tragedies of Needless and Cruel Death in the United States, I have decided to not address any of these. Instead, I will try to ease my way back with an easy commentary.

 

Sadly, we will always have opportunities to deal with these issues. As Jesus replied to Judas in Superstar, when asked when He would cure poverty in the world, “There will be poor always.” And the same seems to go for all of these problems, too.

Rather, in keeping with the yuletide spirit, I hope everyone had a Blessed Christmastime and a Happy First Night of Hanukkah. And today, two additional holidays join the party: Kwanzaa and Boxing Day.

Kwanzaa is NOT a religion. Perhaps, one of its most significant features is that it facilitates unity amongst all African-Americans, and others, regardless of their religion. Kwanzaa may be celebrated by any Pan-African, of any religion, or of no religion.

Kwanzaa is observed for seven days, and there is a different value for each day: On each night, a candle is lighted to observe the “Nguzo Saba”, the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

The tradition of Boxing Day may have come from a custom in the late Roman and early Christian era, wherein alms boxes placed in churches during Advent were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen, Christianity’s first martyr, which, in the Western Christian Churches, falls on the same day as Boxing Day, the second day of Christmastide.

This is also a holiday which came about throughout the British Empire during the reign of Queen Victoria and continues throughout the Commonwealth to this day.

Here in the United States, we celebrate Boxing Day by putting the Christmas gift boxes and bags away, and standing on lines to return or exchange items for different things we need or would fit better. FOR HOURS.

And, ultimately, in many cultures, we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, from Christmas Day to the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, the Day Where the Birth of the Christ Child was revealed to the world via the Magi. It is a song sung by many to sometimes highight the (total of items added) 364 gifts we enjoy from this Christmas Day until next Christmas Eve. All the days in between.

At least, that is MY interpretation.

Others may interpret the song in other ways, symbolizing a part of their own beliefs, whether religiously or secularly. No matter. It reminds us we have much to share with each other.

So, I hope you will continue to enjoy the remaining time left in this year; remembering that we are all here for a time. A Time To Live; A Time For Joy; A Time To Laugh; A Time To Heal; A Time To Love; A Time For Peace.

I swear it is never too late.