Thursday Thirteen No. 12: Chrismahanuhajj--What?

Chrismahanuhajjukas is the word my young cousins invented to capture the strange December phenomenon of making this month about everything. This is the word that includes everything but says nothing and means even less. The school-age kids see that when when we try to please everyone with all the right answers all at once, we wind up with nothing.

Thinking about this the other day, I disassembled the word into its constituent parts and did some hunting around for other December holidays. This is a special month for many faiths, all of which have special days that have their own integrity and are beautiful in their own right, like Christmas. Like Christmas, they deserve to be seen for what they are. Here are a non-Christian holy days that occur in December alongside the many Christian ones:

1. Christian: Advent (December 2, 9, 16, 23)
This is the Christian time of preparation for observing the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent begins on the Sunday nearest November 30 and is the beginning of the Christian worship year. Advent is observed with the lighting of advent candles, display of wreaths, and special ceremonies. Advent also anticipates the coming again to earth of Jesus Christ. The season continues through December 24..

2. Jewish: Hanukkah (December 5 - 12)
The Jewish Festival of Lights commemorates the Maccabean recapture and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 b.c.e. Hanukkah is a holiday about the victory of faith and loyalty to God's commandments. Special readings and praise songs focus on liberty and freedom. The eight-candle Menorah is lighted.

3. Buddhist: Bodhi Day (December 8)
Bodhi day Buddhist celebration of the time when Prince Gautama took his place under the Bodhi tree, vowing to remain there until he attained supreme enlightenment. (more)