December: a month when people celebrate, and praise, the glory of the Great Intelligence.
December 8
Bodhi Day: a Buddhist holiday that celebrates the day Buddha (Siddhartha Gotama) experienced Enlightenment.
Siddhartha made a vow to heaven and earth to find the root to suffering, or to die trying; so he entered into deep stage of meditation. In the middle of it he was harassed and tempted by the Hindu god Mara (Lord of illusion) yet he didn’t succumb to it. Then he fell into an even deeper meditative stage; and when the sun rose, Siddhartha became Enlightened (since he found the answers to his questions) and experienced Nirvana; which is why he became a Buddha (Awakened One).
December 5-12 (25th of Kislev – 3rd of Tevet)
Hannukah: the Jewish festival of the lights.
Antiochus IV, in 167 B.C, severely oppressed the Jewish people by prohibiting the practice of their religion, by placing a Hellenistic priest in the temple and by desecrating it. A war against the oppression broke, under the leadership of the Maccabees, who defeated Antiochus’ armies. Enraged by this, Antiochus marched against the Jewish people while threatening to exterminate the Jewish nation but, while marching, he died mysteriously.
The temple was rededicated; and everybody realised that there was only enough oil to burn for one day (for the menorah was supposed to burn throughout the night every night), yet it burned for eight days (the required time to prepare a fresh supply). An 8-day festival was declared to celebrate the miracle of the oil.
December 25
Christmas: holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ (this date is traditional and it isn’t viewed as his actual date of birth).
It is a Christian belief that the Messiah was born to the Virgin Mary (thus fulfilling many prophecies made centuries prior to his birth); in the city of Bethlehem. The nativity took place in a stable, surrounded by farm animals, and the baby Jesus was laid in a manger. The first ones to see the child were shepherds (who had been told of the birth by an Angel); then the Three wise Men (Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar) joined them, by following the star of Bethlehem, and offered Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh (one of the reasons why gifts are exchanged in this holiday).
Christmas festivities combine the celebration of Christ’s birth with several pagan customs: the decoration of trees, the eating of ham, the hanging of mistletoes, chocolate logs – all associated with Yule (which is celebrated in December 21-22).
Some people wonder if too much importance is being given to secular Christmas (Santa Claus and ultra consumption) rather than glorifying the birth of Jesus…
It is a Christian belief that the Messiah was born to the Virgin Mary (thus fulfilling many prophecies made centuries prior to his birth); in the city of Bethlehem. The nativity took place in a stable, surrounded by farm animals, and the baby Jesus was laid in a manger. The first ones to see the child were shepherds (who had been told of the birth by an Angel); then the Three wise Men (Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar) joined them, by following the star of Bethlehem, and offered Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh (one of the reasons why gifts are exchanged in this holiday).
Christmas festivities combine the celebration of Christ’s birth with several pagan customs: the decoration of trees, the eating of ham, the hanging of mistletoes, chocolate logs – all associated with Yule (which is celebrated in December 21-22).
Some people wonder if too much importance is being given to secular Christmas (Santa Claus and ultra consumption) rather than glorifying the birth of Jesus…
December lonely faces
During this festive month it is not unusual to find people who do not have anybody with whom to share a smile, a hug and/or even a meal.
My special thoughts, and prayers, go to all of those who find themselves complete and totally alone.
Merry festivities!
Please continue your Graffiti experience with
Livingsword
Wow, I didn't even know there were so many religious celebration in Dec.!
ReplyDeleteI'm more a Chinese new year kind of girl... ;)
Hey Zhu,
ReplyDeletelol you didn't?! Well, I am glad that I could info you then :)!
I tried to include a Chinese festivity, but it was impossible *shrugging*!
Cheers
Dec. 8th is also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Roman Catholcism. A widely held misconception is that the feast day honors Mary getting knocked up without sex. It actually refers to Mary being concieved without the stain of original sin upon her soul.
ReplyDeleteChecked yours, so check mine:
Viewer Participation TeleVision
If you want to do a link exchange, leave a comment.
GREAT introduction to different types of celebrations in December, Max he he he he...
ReplyDeleteHey Amelia,
ReplyDeleteThanks, girl :)! I am glad you liked it *bowing*!
Cheers
Hey LB,
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming and leaving a comment :).
Yes, I am quite aware of that Feast, since it is a national religious holiday here in Portugal (the Portuguese always look forward to that holiday to use it as an excuse to skip work; but this year it falls on a Saturday, so: no can do).
We are a Roman Catholic country, although we like to pretend that we are secular...
I'll visit your blog in a while.
Cheers
Hi LB nice to meet you…
ReplyDeleteAs you explained….
“Dec. 8th is also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Roman Catholcism. A widely held misconception is that the feast day honors Mary getting knocked up without sex. It actually refers to Mary being concieved without the stain of original sin upon her soul.”
My response to this is that Mary the mother of Jesus is most blessed among women….and that nothing in Scripture supports her being “concieved without the stain of original sin upon her soul”. As she herself says “And my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior” (Luke 1:47) since Mary recognized she was a sinner in need of a savior I believe her.
Hey Max
ReplyDeleteGot your note. Your link is up at http://vptvrelationships.blogspot.com. Please put mine up when you get a chance.
Viewer Participation TeleVision
Best,
Lyle
LS,
ReplyDeleteI must confess that I do agree with you on this one: Mary was the most blessed among women...what an honour :)!
Cheers
Hey Lyle,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much *bowing*!
I will add your link to my blogroll, still today :)!
Cheers
Hi Max! My wordpress account moved to http://mlizcochico.com, i still maintain the blogspot tho. hope you'd find time to drop by. Take care!
ReplyDeleteMax, thanks for letting us know, I knew about Christmas, lol. I am fortunate to celebrate twice, since my husband is Roman catholic (Italian), so we get to celebrate in December, and myself Ukrainian (Greek catholic), so again we get to celebrate 2 weeks later, in January. I am glad that you mention the Jewish celebration and I am always sadden by their suffering. I have studied literature, and watch many documentaries, and I am just so sadden about the evil side of humanity and how could they done such terrible thing. Many times I have these images front of my eyes from documentary movies or books, as the kids walk to the end of their life (the furnace) :(. Great post Max as always, and you will be hearing from me to your comments on my blog soon. Anna :)
ReplyDeleteHey Liza,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update :)! I will change the link in my site :).
Cheers
Anna,
ReplyDeleteLong time no see! Where have you been :)?
You are very much welcome :). Oh, so your husband is Italian? How nice!!! :). Wow, so...did you get married twice as well? This is so interesting :-D!
Yeah, it was sad, indeed; all the things that were done to the Jewish people *nodding*. But it will never happen again :).
Thanks, Anna...and don't be a stranger :)! I will be looking forward to hearing from you :).
Cheers
Max dear I have been around, just busy, may be one day I will blog about it, lol. Nothing to worry though, and as I mention to LS, I think the cold weather tends to slow us down here in Canada, just like going from water to ice cubes, and we always like to blame on the work and everything else, lol, I guess that is human nature. My blogging been very scattered, just landing on one blog, leaving message/comment, and then off I am go to do laundry or cook, work, etc. Yes my hobby is Italian, and no I have been married only once, thank god, he was my only first real date and the last - at my school days I found dating a destruction, because there were always these things I like to do, and may be I could only focus on the one thing at a time, lol. I don't think I would be able to live through wedding planning again, especially where Italians and Ukrainians are so culturally oriented. Don't get me wrong, I love culture, but sometimes I find it too too much and to structural. I have actually been thinking about you, and missing the conversations we had, I just wish that I had wireless everywhere, then I could take my laptop with me and use it while we are driving to my parents or parents in law or anywhere else. So next time if I am not around, remember, I am still thinking about you......:). And yes what happened to Jews will never happen again. Anna :)
ReplyDeleteIs it already that time again?
ReplyDeleteI think I need someplace quite to contemplate nirvana.
~Oswegan
Hello Max! Thank you for for reminding us that Christmas is not the only December celebration! And also that there is no Celebration at all for those who have no one to care for them! It is easy with the holiday scurry to forget that,Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Anna,
ReplyDeleteBeing busy is good :). LOL yeah, I know what you mean: winter gets in the way indeed *nodding*.
Blogging absorbs a lot of time, it's true; and then there's real life, isn't it there? That's what I was telling Oswegan the other day: I am not married yet, nor have kids so I can invest some of my time to blogging; however it is not that easy for family bloggers *shrugging*.
I was asking if you had got married in both Roman Catholic and Greek churches (thus the twice lol). I also found dating a distraction, that is why I started dating after I become an adult (21). So, you husband was your first real date, that is so cute :)! LOL LOL so, wedding planning was sort of nightmarish, ey? I can only immagine :).
I know that you think of me, it's ok, Anna...I know how life goes :). So, in case we are not around, we can both be sure that we are thinking about each other *tender face*. You are such a kind lady, I like you :).
Amen!
Cheers
Hey Scott,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is already that time...lol...
LOL LOL.... I bet you are a Xmas kind of dad :)!
Cheers
Hey Genevieve!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome *bowing*! Yes, it is quite easy to forget about those who spend these festivities alone; and they shouldn't be forgotten :). May God be with them; may God be with you :).
Cheers
Hey Max,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of those rather interesting facts about December. I always love learning the history and origin of events, words, history, you name it.
Peace be with you my sisiter!
Hey Alexys,
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome :)! I know what you mean: I am like that as well.
Thank you, and may the Light be with you, sister :)!
Cheers
This is a lovely, inclusive post! Kudos to you, max!
ReplyDeleteHi Max! Thank you so much :). Take care and have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteHey Linda,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to MAX! I am so glad you liked it :): thank you *bowing*!
Thanks for having dropped by, and for your kind comment :)!
Cheers
Hello Schumey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for having dropped by :)!
You are most welcome *bowing*.
Have nice day yourself :).
Cheers
Max,
ReplyDeleteSo many people get caught up in Christmas that they don't realize that there are quite a few other celebrations during December. This was a great post, gently telling us that sometimes we need to look outside of our own little spheres.
Nicely done.
I was reading some of the comments and discovered that you bow a lot. should I read anything into that??? (just kidding.)
Mel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment :).
Oh yes, sometimes we do need to look beyond what surrounds us :).
LOL You should read that I am humble, and that I respect humans *bowing*!
Cheers
Hey Max, oh now I know what you were asking. No we did not go that route, only one church was enough, for us the God is the same, just different traditions, and hobby is really easy going, he will follow me anywhere, lol. It was really nice of him, and plus I think there was a bit more of religious structure on my side, and so it was easy to follow one. It really worked out good for both of us. But then the party we did Ukrainian band with Itailian food, however, the band was able to play some Italian music too to cater. Oh and I forgot to mention, the ukr priest was able to speak Italian, so to cater Italians again he did some prayers in Italian. I tell you Max, we were so lucky with the wedding stuff in order to keep both sides happy. But yes there where moments that I just walked away - you know me. I like prefection, but I don't like perfection in nature, so to tell you one funny story here: I requested just simple flowers simply just put together in simple arrangement, in stead I got this perfect arrangement of flowers into a prefect sphere, and big one too, oh, I tell you I was shaking it where ever I went to make it imprefect, and at some point passing dog ate couple of rose heads, lol. Well, now I laugh about it. Oh well I better go and do some work. You got some nice turn out on this post, great idea to bring people to celebrate month of December. Anna :)
ReplyDeleteHey Anna,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you: God is the same for every religion :). "he will follow me anywhere" - that is so cute, love is in the air :).
Italian food is just dreamy: I love it! lol so everybody was happy: both Ukrainians and Italians...that is marvellous :-D!
"I tell you Max, we were so lucky with the wedding stuff in order to keep both sides happy." - that is the hardest thing to do when there are two cultures involved, isn't it?
LOL I like perfection too, can you believe that?
"oh, I tell you I was shaking it where ever I went to make it imprefect, and at some point passing dog ate couple of rose heads, lol." - LOL LOL LOL LOL this is funny indeed...but at the time you must've been nervous lol...
"You got some nice turn out on this post, great idea to bring people to celebrate month of December." - thank you :). LS and I wanted Graffiti to share the festivities with our friend-readers. We wanted it to be joyful :).
I love our girl talks; they are so interesting :).
Cheers
Wow, so many comments!
ReplyDeleteBut happy festivities indeed. But don't they say all Gods are one?
Everything else is just a messenger?
Hey Shan,
ReplyDeleteThank you :)!
Yes, they all say that God is one; however there are people who disagree :).
I agree with you: there are a lot of messengers :).
Cheers and Happy festivities, Shan!
You called? Lol
ReplyDeleteIt is incredibly intolerant to tell the majority of the people on the planet that they are all to stupid to realize they worship the same god or God.
All of the major belief systems are exclusive in this regard….they ALL claim their way is the only way…to claim they are all worshipping the same god or God is also a claim of exclusivity because you are saying they are ALL wrong and you are right…..you are excluding them…
There is nothing wrong with people peacefully co-existing with various beliefs; there is no reason to pretend we all believe in the same God, we don’t….
Yes, I did call LOL!
ReplyDeleteLS; you know well that I believe that God is only One and the same!
You don't agree, and it's ok, it's your right to do so :)!
Cheers
Hi, Girlfriend!
ReplyDeleteI wanna share another award with you:
BFF
Hi Max, thanks for your comment. About God being the same, falls under your previous excellent post about truth. On the end the God is here to guide us in the right direction, and we are the ones responsible for our actions - if you know what I mean. This can open up a new topic, how people will go to church yet pray for things that I just wouldn't imagine to pray for, meaning materialistics stuff.
ReplyDeleteYes it is the hardest part keeping the both sides happy, but yet someone was looking after us, to bless us with such conviniences to make both sides happy afterall.
Keep up the good work with your posts, they are so fun to carry conversations and learn about each other, and in general just learning about life.
Thanks Max, and will see you around. Have a good weekend if you don't hear from me again. Snow storm is moving into our town, so hopefullllyyyyyy will not snowed us too much. Anna :)
And for many of these celebrations, we get time off. I look forward to it. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Manimala,
ReplyDeleteHow true :)!
Happy festivities!!
Cheers
Hi Maximum Hostessus….
ReplyDeleteLOL
I wanted to let you know that I am very much enjoying you being more interactive with your guests. You are an eloquent and generous hostess….
Hey Amelia,
ReplyDeleteThank you *bowing*! I will drop by your place to grab it...meanwhile I must prepare a speech lol...
Merci encore...
Cheers
Anna,
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome :).
"On the end the God is here to guide us in the right direction, and we are the ones responsible for our actions - if you know what I mean." - I know perfectly what you mean, Anna; and I agree with you. God guides us into the right direction (of course we must seek for His guidance, for Him...although I don't think that it is a sine qua non condition; He is more merciful than we expect Him to be), but it is up to us to choose how we wish to act (and after that choice is made, we are the only ones to be accountable for it), this is free-will.
"This can open up a new topic, how people will go to church yet pray for things that I just wouldn't imagine to pray for, meaning materialistics stuff." - well, some defend the theory that without materialistic stuff one can't concentrate on the spiritual side of life. I don't agree with this, entirely...but for some people it seems to work *shrugging*. I think that one should go to church to thank the Lord for everything that is good and bad (cause even bad things hold a purpose, and we should be thankful for them); and praise His name and glory :). And why not seek for comfort also...:).
"Keep up the good work with your posts, they are so fun to carry conversations and learn about each other, and in general just learning about life." - thank you, Anna. But I must share a secret with you: I am the one learning about life from you guys! Your thoughts, comments give me a glimpse of life; they are part of the ingredients to my posts; and for that I thank you all *bowing*.
"Snow storm is moving into our town, so hopefullllyyyyyy will not snowed us too much. Anna :) " - oh my...! I hope you will be safe :).
I had a nice weekend, thanks :).
We see each other around!
Cheers
LSus,
ReplyDelete"You are an eloquent and generous hostess…. " - you must want something...no, you cannot have a debate now LOL LOL..you must wait until my next article LOL LOL LOL *nodding*!
Seriously now, thank you, my friend :). I am also enjoying the interactivity...I have to thank Anna for it :)!
Cheers
Hi Max,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you now that my Proudest Moment Post is up. Sorry it took so long.
My dear Mel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for having advised me...I will be coming over to your blog shortly :).
Cheers
Hi, Max!
ReplyDeleteHope you don't mind this easy tag he he...
Linky Linky Tag
Hey Amelia,
ReplyDeleteNo, girl; I don't mind :)! Although I think that Liza has already tagged me for that one ;)!
Thanks :)!
I am on my way to your place....
Cheers
Greetings to all. I want to thank everyone for their input here and thank you too Max for providing the fodder for us to discuss.
ReplyDeleteI'm not big on the celebrating end of things (I do love thanksgiving though) but I understand why people do. I'm thankful to you for your informative post about some of the December celebrations and beliefs surrounding them.
I very much appreciate the ending of your post and do hope that people will remember that there are people who will be alone and maybe hungry - this is something I had just posted about myself and I'm glad to see that we're in step on this so to speak.
Peace, love and understanding.
~ RubyShooZ ~
Hello Ruby,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by :)!
I will come by your blog to read your latest post :)...
Yes, it is important to remember those who are alone in this world *bowing*!
Peache, dear!
Cheers
"I am the one learning about life from you guys! Your thoughts, comments give me a glimpse of life; they are part of the ingredients to my posts; and for that I thank you all" - good attitude to have Max, and I admire that in you. Don't you hate (not really hate, just an expression), when someone won't let you speak because they know it all, and when they listen you can just see the words entering one ear and leaving the other, lol. With blogging it is two way traffic, and only those who truly listen stick around.
ReplyDeleteAbout God, I am not sure how to say it, but it is the equal game, he guides us, we apply the guides, and yet not to forget about Him we follow him and his further guides. Thanks Max for your comments, and yes we have full loads of snow here, lol. It is beautiful snow, so light and up to our knees. But then it seems like all we are doing is driving in snow blizzards and traffic, shoveling snow at night and then in the morning, and de-icing also as it sometimes rains before - I am glad that me and my hobby are working together so I don't have to drive in the stormy weather, and we we both can do the shoveling and cleaning, it really helps. Well there is nothing we can do, and once you see the snow so beautiful, it does not matter. Thanks for your comments, as always. Anna :)
Anna,
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind *bowing*...
Yes, I hate it when people want to flaunt their knowledge on others and make them feel ignorant (it drives me crazy); specially because we don't know everything that there is; we learn new stuff everyday, and people are an excellent source of knowledge. We may read all the books in the world, all the sites on the web, interact with as many people as possible, and still...we don't know enough.
I am grateful to God for the knowledge I have, but I always ask for more lol. And one of the many ways to get it is by talking to people :).
" With blogging it is two way traffic, and only those who truly listen stick around." - how true this is, Anna...indeed.
"About God, I am not sure how to say it, but it is the equal game, he guides us, we apply the guides, and yet not to forget about Him we follow him and his further guides." - I hear you. But I think that it is a bit impossible to forget Him; for He is within each and one of us :). But I get you mean.
No need to thank me, it's my pleasure :). Snow up to your knees..sounds cold lol lol...
I find it cute when couples work together :).
Cheers
Hi Max and Anna (and for that matter everybody else getting this comment);
ReplyDeleteMax you said to Anna (I will also provide her words for context):
"About God, I am not sure how to say it, but it is the equal game, he guides us, we apply the guides, and yet not to forget about Him we follow him and his further guides." - I hear you. But I think that it is a bit impossible to forget Him; for He is within each and one of us :). But I get you mean.
I respond:
Max when you say it is a “bit impossible” is that an absolute truth? :)
Sorry couldn’t resist!
Hi LS (and Max if you listening), I have to agree with you - yes it is hard to forget Him, and it is absolute truth. However, I have seen many examples, when people move away from Him and forget Him, just lead too good of a life to bring Him to their lives until something bad happens, that is when He is remembered. I thought I throw in here few Canadian Cents since I heard my name, lol. Anna :)
ReplyDeleteHello LS;
ReplyDelete"Max when you say it is a “bit impossible” is that an absolute truth? :)" - no, it isn't an absolute truth cause some people might refute me, and you (for all that matter) *nodding*!
"Sorry couldn’t resist!" - LOL LOL *nodding*
Cheers
Hello Anna (and LSus);
ReplyDeleteAnd yes I was eaves-dropping lol :).
Ah, Anna; but if you have seen people forgetting God and moving away from Him, then it can no longer be considered an Absolute Truth.
I am talking on the philosophical point of view, cause if you ask my personal opinion...then it becomes a whole different matter lol :).
It is sad when people forget the Creator (and now that I think of it, it is kinda irrational, isn't it? It is like forgetting our own parents...) *nodding*.
I too have seen people who spent a lot of time dissing on God, and then when something awful happened in their life they decided that God was the One to turn to *nodding*...does a person need to suffer to remember Him?
Thank you for your Canadian Cents (it is better than that American rapper: 50 Cents lol) :)!
Cheers
Oh Max girl you are absolutely right, cannot argue with you on this one. This is why I need you to understand better and explore different views, and not just one view. Thanks, and you are very welcome, yes Canadian Cents are getting some value here, lol. Anna :)
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteExploring different views and understanding them better is necessary indeed :). That is what I am trying to do by conversing with LS, you and all the rest of the gang :)!
"Thanks, and you are very welcome, yes Canadian Cents are getting some value here, lol. Anna :) " - you are most welcome, dear :D! LOL yes, indeed the Canadian cents are increasing in value lol...
Cheers
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