Celebrating Diversity
A holiday message from the Office of Diversity Initiatives

Ernie Santos-DeJesus

By Ernie Santos-DeJesus

The time of the year is upon us when people around the world turn to spiritual awareness and engage in various forms of celebration. These celebrations range from solemn to festive, and they are mostly rooted in religion.

Muslims celebrate Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar); the Fast of Ramadan lasts for the entire month. Muslims fast during the daylight hours, and in the evening they eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation . . . a time to strengthen family and community ties.

Christians celebrate Christmas, which dates back more than 4,000 years, since many of today’s Christmas traditions were observed centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the Yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals (parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.

Jews celebrate Hanukkah (Hebrew for “dedication”), also known as the Festival of Lights, for eight days beginning on the eve of the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. Hanukkah celebrates the victory in 165 BCE of the Maccabees over the Syrian tyrant Antiochus IV. According to Jewish scripture, only a one-day supply of sacramental oil was found with which to rekindle the menorah—or holy lamp—of the Temple after the Maccabees had removed the Syrians’ idols and prepared the Temple for rededication. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days until more could be obtained.

Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural festival beginning on December 26 and ending on January 1. Maulana Ron Karenga created the festival in 1966. His goal was to establish a holiday that would facilitate African-American goals of building a strong family, learning about African-American history, and developing unity.

All these celebrations have one thing in common. They bring friends and families together while offering hope for peace, good will, inclusiveness, understanding, and a determination to work together to make this small spaceship of Earth home to all. Whatever your manner of celebration, peace be with you and enjoy the holidays.