Let us rejoice that the season of light has begun! The five-day celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, was observed by Hindus across the globe from November 12th to November 16th which kicked off the season of light. The celebration of Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Lights commences on the evening of December 7th and ends on the evening of December 15th. Our Jewish friends around the world commemorate the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the second century. Within the Holy Temple was a menorah and only enough oil to light it for one day. It is believed that a miracle happened when it burned for eight days. The lighting of the menorah during each day of Hanukkah symbolizes the renewal of faith in the miracle of light.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival in which African and African American history, heritage, and culture is exalted. The term Kwanzaa means the first fruits of the harvest. Kwanzaa will be observed from December 26th through January 1st of 2024. On each day of this celebration, a candle is lit to highlight one of seven moral principles. The principles are also brought to life by reciting literature and philosophy of great black thinkers and writers, by participating in African drumming, singing, and dancing, and by sharing a meal of African diaspora-inspired foods.
Across the world Christmas will be observed by Christians on December 25th. Although the birth of Jesus, a spiritual teacher, healer, and ascended master, is celebrated on this day, the Christmas birth metaphysically means the dawning of the light of awareness of our own Divine Nature. By following the Star of Bethlehem, our spiritually illumined inner guidance, we are born anew each time we more powerfully express our Divine Potential.
The festive activity of lighting candles and adorning our trees, homes, and other structures with light reminds us of the beauty and radiance of the light that we are. As we embrace our cultural and religious traditions during this season of light, let us vow to find creative and joyous ways to be the light in this world.
2023 Holiday Letter and Schedule
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