At a recent spiritual discussion group, Carol Cole Lewis, the president of our local Unitarian Universalist community, observed that all of the sacred religions have the Golden Rule as their core belief.
“Liberty, a Magazine of Religious Freedom” offered similar insight in its November/December 2006 edition when it compiled variants of the Golden Rule from Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist texts under “Reciprocity in Religion.”
This is a magazine that arrives at the newspaper thanks to unknown auspices. This seems like the perfect time, however, to extend my appreciation. Each issue contributes thought-provoking, vigorous debate about religious liberty and separation of church and state.
The sacred winter season is yet another reminder of the thread of commonality that underlies our traditions.
The Jewish holiday of Chanukah began at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 21. It falls each year on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. It generally falls in December. On each night of Chanukah, one more light is lit on a Chanukah menorah. It has eight branches for each day and night of the holiday, plus a branch for the “servant” light that is used to kindle the rest.
My earliest observance of Chanukah was on behalf of a Jewish roommate. We lit the candles on a makeshift menorah that had seven branches instead of the typical nine. Jonathan and I covered our heads as our roommate chanted the “Barucha” or blessing: “Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kideshanu b”mitzvotav, vitzivanu, l”hadlik ner shel Chanukah.” Blessed are you, our God, ruler of the universe, who made us holy through your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah lights.”
There is something truly magical about the glow of candlelight.
Earlier still was our exposure to the Pagan traditions that have been reclaimed by modern practitioners. Each solstice and equinox was observed as a sacred holiday. Pagans among our acquaintance crafted meaningful rituals to mark the seasons” change.
The winter solstice is when the sun has its lowest arc in the sky and the hours of daylight are the shortest in the year. This year, the winter solstice fell on 4:04 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on Dec. 21. Because our earth has an elliptical orbit, sunrise will continue to fall later every day for a short while longer — but the overall length of the day is increasing with later sunsets.
Looming ahead is Christmas Eve, followed by Christmas Day. By now you”ll already have heard the carols that honor the birth of Jesus Christ.
This is the holiday of my childhood that continues to have meaning for me. Each year, my family would cut down a Christmas tree and decorate it for the holiday. Jonathan and I prefer a living tree but we are glad to accompany my mother to a local tree farm.
On Christmas Eve, we read the story of Christ”s nativity and we exchange our gifts. Christmas Day usually involves a larger family gathering.
One year, for Advent, the Middletown Community United Methodist Church compiled a book of devotions written by people in the church. I contributed thoughts about a hymn in the United Methodist Hymnal, “Many Gifts, One Spirit.”
During this time of year especially, I like to reflect on the message that is contained in this hymn: “In our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise One Giver, One Lord, One Spirit, One Word, known in many ways, hallowing our days. For the giver, for the gifts, praise, praise, praise!”
Have a blessed and safe holiday, whichever traditions you observe.
Cynthia Parkhill is the focus pages editor for the Record-Bee and the editor of the Clearlake Observer American. She can be reached at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com. Opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lake County Record-Bee.
