Do you enjoy holidays? If so, December is your month. This month is loaded with five holidays; three of them are holy days and all have religious significance.
HANUKKAH is an eight day Jewish celebration. It commemorates the first recorded battle for religious freedom. Instituted by Judas Maccabee and his brothers in 165 B.C. its purpose is to celebrate the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. A new altar had been built to replace one that had been profaned by the Syrian conqueror Antiochus Epiphanes, who tried to force the Jews to worship heathen deities by sacrificing unclean animals in the temple. The result was a war led by the Maccabees in which they recaptured the temple.
Jews believe that a miracle occurred when the Eternal Light was rekindled in the temple. They found only enough oil there to burn for one night. But after they lit the flame, which represents the eternal spirit of God, it burned for eight days, giving the Maccabees time to get more oil. Since that time, the miracle is remembered by Jews all over the world with Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.
Two candles are lit the first day-one representing the eternal flame and the other is for the first day of the miracle. On the second day a third candle is lit to represent the second day of the miracle and another candle is lit on the third day and so on for the eight days. The traditional candle stand has nine branches as we see it pictured on Hanukkah cards.
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION is a holy day of obligation commemorating the belief that Mary, when she conceived, entered a state of grace because she was chosen to be the Mother of the Lord.
BILL OF RIGHTS DAY on December 15 marks the ratification of the Bill of Right, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution of the United States in 1791.
As you may recall, after the Constitution was passed, there was a grass-roots movement to guarantee certain rights. These were added by popular demand and included freedom of worship, press, and speech, the right to bear arms, freedom from illegal search and seizure, freedom from double jeopardy, the right of trial by jury, protection from cruel and unusual punishment, and rights not specified by the constitution should be reserved for the states.
CHRISTMAS is observed on December 25 by Christians of most denominations and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is believed by Christians to be the Savior, the Son of God. Many traditions have arisen in different nations but the real "reason for the season is the belief that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16) ; who taught that a person's first duty in life is to love God and one's second duty is to love others.
NEW YEAR'S EVE is observed on December 31. This celebration of the arrival of a new year has become a sort of midnight fourth of July party with fireworks, horns, hugs and kisses. In recent years some churches have started the tradition of Watch Night services in which all are challenged to renew their relationship with God and make resolutions leading to self-improvement.
Our nation is made up of citizens from different backgrounds and religions but all are Americans. We can show our love of God by respecting the special days of others. It will do no damage to our personal beliefs, while creating a bond of fellowship with our fellow Americans.
If a spirit of tolerance and brotherhood should take hold and spread across the nation it would certainly build a kinder, gentler, and stronger America. Our national example would carry more influence than sending our money, munitions, and troops to trouble spots around the world.