Holidays

There are many Holidays in December. 

Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza and many more of which I am not aware. 

It seems that there is considerable contraversy over what should and  should not be displayed in public during this season. It is a contraversy that I do not understand. Why should anyone be offended by a Mkeka, Menorah or a Nativity scene; or any other cultural symbols that are appropriate for this time of year. If you want your celebration out there, than put it out there. Hopefully, it will peek people's curiosity and they will ask questions about what the symbols mean and how they are important to the celebration. This is a good thing. The more we know, the less we fear. The less we fear, the less we hate. The less we hate, the more we love. And is that not what these celebrations are all about. 

I grew up in a household that included just about every celebration through out the year. We did the standards but we had corn beef and cabbage every St. Patrick's Day and were sure to wear green right down to our underwear. This was because my Dad is from Irish decent. My Mom was born and raised in Sweden.  She knew very little about the patron Saint of Ireland, but embraced any reason that brought our family together. December 13 is Santa Lucia Day. This is a big celebration in Sweden with parades and special baking. We as a family put on the special costumes and brought the Swedish Peppar Cookies and Saffron Bread to my Dad in bed. For obvious reasons my Dad loved this and as children is was a way to connect with a heritage from across  the ocean. 

We also have a traditional Swedish Christmas Ham on Christmas Eve and since my children are half Jamaican, we enjoy curry goat. And after Midnight Mass, there was traditional French Canadian Tourtière. 

The Spirit of this season is love, whether it is to celebrate the Birth of a Saviour;Eight Days of Lamp Oil when there was only enough for one day; or a Year End Harvest. 

Please, every one, this is not a generic holiday season.  It means different things to different people. Let's include one another. If some one wants to wish me Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah or a Joyous Kwanza or any other, I do not and will not take offence or feel the need to correct them. Because I know that what is behind the words is a wish for joy and love. And I don't know anyone who would say no to that. 

So to every one peace and love and joy no matter if it is Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa or Festus...