December - Happy Holidays!

"Happy Holidays!" is a very appropriate greeting for the month of December, as it is a month filled with a variety of holidays, one of which is Christmas, commemorating Jesus' birth on earth in Bethlehem, Judea. Note that the evening of December 24th officially begins the Christmas season, which ends on the celebration of The Baptism of the Lord. In Orthodox Christianity, "Christmas" doesn't begin until January 6th! (The secular or popular "Christmas shopping season" is really one of preparation and corresponds in Christianity with the season of Advent.)

As you look at the word "holiday" you can see that it originates in the concept of a "holy day."  In the Western tradition the original days "off from work or labor" that were given over to feasting and celebrating were religious, namely Christian holy feastdays. December is filled with such days that are Christian and Jewish and cultural in identity. Halfway through the month on the 16th, the preparation for Christmas intensifies in Filipino and Hispanic cultures with Simbang Gabi, Las Posadas, and Las Parrandas. In 2014 the Jewish eight-night celebration of Hanukkah also begins on the evening of the 16th, extending through sundown on the 24th. Every year on the 26th, African Americans celebrate their heritage and cultural values with the week of Kwanza. Many of those who are not traditionally religious or who follow a nature-based religion celebrate the Winter Solstice (December 21st).

Some narrow-minded Christians complain that the greetings of "Happy Holidays" takes away from the celebration of Christmas; that Christians should only be focused on a "Merry Christmas!" What a myopic view! A universal (or catholic) Christianity acknowledges diversity and cultural influences.(And it is just plain rude to discredit or not tolerate other religious and cultural celebrations.) There's plenty of reasons to celebrate in the month of December!