Even before the turkey leftovers were gone, tinsel and mistletoe began appearing and the traditional shopping rush marked the beginning of the season we euphemistically refer to as the Holiday Season. At this point in our well-intentioned journey toward cultural and religious pluralism, many experience the month of December as a long un-Christmas celebration during which many of us spend, eat and drink more than we should and try to avoid saying the word Christmas out loud for fear of violating the rules of so-called political correctness in a community more diverse than we really understand. In the spirit of real celebration of the rich diversity in our midst, and with the understanding that this is an imperfect step in an incomplete journey, I offer once again a primer of the six important religious and cultural holidays observed not only around the world but by real people right here at USM at this time of the year.
On Nov. 6, Islam began the 30-day observance of Ramadan, honoring the revelation of the Koran to the Prophet Mohammed. Many Muslims observe Ramadan by fasting each day from sunup to sunset, and by greater attention to personal devotion and acts of charity.
At sunset on Nov. 30, Judaism began the eight-day Hanukkah festival of lights commemorating the rededication of the Temple after its recapture by Judas the Maccabee in 165 B.C.E. Many Jews observe Hanukkah with the lighting of a candle each night until all of the eight candles of the Menorah are lighted, and with traditional foods, games and songs.
Dec. 8 is Bodhi Day for Buddhists, celebrating the Enlightenment of the Buddha about 596 B.C.E. In predominantly Buddhist countries, Bodhi Day is celebrated with candles and fireworks.
The Winter Solstice comes on Dec. 21 and is observed by pagan and other traditions as the sun’s progressively lower position in the sky halts (Solstice means, literally, sun standing still) and then reverses to begin the return of light and the progression toward spring. It is worth noting that many Solstice traditions and symbols have been appropriated into Christian traditions, and the images of light in the darkness and the lighting of candles on these long, dark nights (in the northern hemisphere) are present in many, if not most, religious practices.
Christmas, contrary to popular and largely commercial notions, is not a single day, but a festival of 12 days (thus, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”) beginning on Dec. 25 and ending with the Epiphany celebration on Jan. 6 (“Twelfth Night”). Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, proclaimed as Christ (meaning “anointed one”). Many Christians also observe Advent, a four-week period of spiritual preparation leading up to Christmas, which begins this year on Sunday, Dec. 3.
Recent years have seen the growth in observance of Kwanza, (meaning “First Fruits of the Harvest”) a contemporary celebration of African-American values and traditions marked by seven days of candle lighting and feasting beginning on Dec. 26.
On Dec. 10 in Gorham and Dec. 12 in Portland, there will be an array of opportunities to focus on some spiritual meanings of the season, and to lift up common themes for us as individuals and as a community. The Labyrinth Walk, a cross-cultural spiritual exercise well-suited to a season of turning inward as the elements close in, will be available in Hill Gym in Gorham on Tuesday and Sullivan Gym in Portland on Thursday. “Be Light in the Darkness,” a participatory display inviting all members of the USM community to contribute to bringing the light of non-violence, peace and hope to our world, each in our own way, will be in Brooks Student Center, Gorham and the Woodbury Campus Center Dining Area, Portland. A Winter Spiritual Celebration for Children and Families will feature games and crafts from various traditions in the Woodbury Campus Center, Portland. Finally, “A Ceremony of Light” will be in Gorham on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. and in Portland on Dec. 12 at 4:30 p.m., offering an interfaith journey through the light-images of our many faith traditions.
This year, this season calls us to reflect on the meaning to each and all of the themes of light in the darkness, peace in the struggle, and the growing diversity in our nation, state, and community. I know personally at least a few students and others at USM who observe each of the religious and/or cultural celebrations mentioned here. For this Christian, there is no sense of loss or restriction, but instead a richly festive, though admittedly not exclusively Christmas-y, time for our community. I hope we will all find ways to know one another’s beloved traditions (not only in December, but all year long), and greet one another with wishes for a season which brings us nearer to every soul’s longing for fulfillment and for peace.