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Happy
Holy Days
Christmas
1999
Ever since I made a terrible faux pas a couple of years ago, I
have been trying to educate myself about the religious holidays
and customs of my increasing number of friends around the world,
as well as those here in the United States.
I am a Protestant, but throughout the year of 1997, I relied on
a friend’s gift of a beautiful Catholic calendar, generously
illustrated with scenes of art from the Sistine Chapel. With
that calendar posted in front of me at my desk, I am marveled at
the number of holy days the Roman Catholics celebrate throughout
the year!
As a self described “boring Presbyterian” whose religious
holidays are limited to Good Friday, Easter and Christmas, I was
surprised to learn, via the elaborately decorated Catholic
calendar, that dozens of saints’ special holy days are
celebrated throughout the year.
My faux pas occurred toward the middle of September while I
talked, via long distance, to a client in New York. While we
scheduled an upcoming delivery date over the phone, he advised
me “We’ll be closed for the Holiday.”
Holiday? What holiday? I quickly scanned the ornate Catholic
calender only to be confused by the myriad of saint’s days
printed for September.
“Holiday?” This time I spoke the question out loud into the
telephone receiver.
“We’ve already had Labor Day” I blurted.
The client sternly respond, “I am referring to Rosh Hashanah”
Open mouth. Insert foot.
I decided it was time to start poking outside my little shell to
try to be at least a little more cognizant of the Holy Days
observed by my friend and associates. I contemplated how I might
feel if my friends didn’t acknowledge the holidays that are
special to me. How would I like it if no one mentioned, let
alone, celebrated Easter or Christmas? Even within the
predominate religion of the this country, there are variations
as to how the different denominations celebrate holidays, or
whether holidays are celebrated at all.
The Hanukkah season has just passed and I have often wondered
why Christians don’t observe Jewish holy days. After all, Jesus
was a Jew, and He celebrated them, so we don’t Christians
participate in Passover and Easter, in Hanukkah and
Christmas?
One of the most “Christian” men I know is a dear, elderly Sikh
gentleman who emigrated from India during the Depression.
Although he has made his fortune in this country, you would
never know it from the rickety pick up truck he drives and the
plain flannel shirt and blue jeans he wears. He freely gives his
money to anyone in need and is totally unselfish with his
resources.
I met his elderly sister when she visited from India.
Resplendent with her long, white braided hair, and wearing a
white Sari to match, she took my hand in both of hers when we
met, and greeted me with a little prayer. Her granddaughter
translated...”She prays for your good health and tells you to
thank God every day for your blessings.” I was struck by her
prayer as the sentiments expressed the same prayer that my late
European Christian grandmother used to pray over me! Could it be
that all our grandmothers share the same Heavenly
Father?
As our world seems to become smaller, we become enriched with a
wider range of religous holiday traditions. At this time of
year, my Vietnamese friends share a beautiful custom of giving
away baskets of tangerines, especially tangerines that still
have a leaf attached, thus symbolizing life. My former boss
celebrates the solstices and the changes in the seasons. My next
door neighbor lights a beautiful Hannukiah nightly on her dining
room table.
This week, for the first time in my life, I have just emailed a
Ramadan greeting to a Muslim friend in another time zone, half
way around the world. I am still ignorant as to whether
“greetings” or cards are appropriate for Ramadan. Having grown
up in the “Hallmark culture”, I generally assume that cards are
appropriate for every occasion! I can only hope that I haven’t
committed another faux pas, albeit a modern one, by sending my
greetings in the form of an email, which may appear impersonal.
However, by knowing the generosity of this friend’s spirit, I
think he will appreciate my gesture. What else can I offer as an
acknowledgment of his holy days when we live on opposite sides
of the world?
Regardless of my ignorance and the long road that I need to
travel towards educating myself, I do think that the majority of
Holy Days share a time of reflection, of thanksgiving for one’s
blessings, of good will towards other people, and anticipation
of better days to come.
Happy Holy
Days!
Hawaiian Hugs from Gabriella, December 2004
An excerpt from Where the Red Tailed Hawk Flies
Copyright 1999 by Gabriella Graham/Red Tailed Hawk Publishing |
