CULTURAL PROMPT — WHAT DOES DECEMBER MEAN TO YOU?

Fiat Lux

Coalescence of Spectrum

One Bless’ed Night

On a journey from afar

Only guided by a star

Was Mary the Virgin bride

Traveling with Joseph by her side

To Bethlehem they were heading

But no room were they getting

For the baby to be born

Oh so early in the morn

They came upon a peaceful manger

where the animals held no danger

and through the miracle of birth

Jesus Christ came unto this Earth

To this day there is celebration

Throughout every God enriched nation

To remember the birth of our Savior

One bless’ed night in a manger.

Holidays

So many holidays in December

Here’s a poem to help you remember

First there’s Channukah, Festival of Lights

A Jewish tradition that lasts eight nights.

In Sweden we have Saint Lucia’s Day

The girls in white serve buns on trays

Travel to Mexico for Las Posadas

With fiestas, parades, food and pinatas

Now for a holiday from the USA

Lots of kids excited for Christmas day

With Christmas Trees, presents, lights on the wall

Goodwill to men and peace to all

This next holiday will end December

A time that African Americans remember

At Kwanzaa presents are made by hand

That’s the end of our December

Hope this helps you to remember.

December is a month rich in the holy days of the Abrahamic traditions. Jews celebrate Hanukkah, a commemoration of the Jewish reclamation of the Temple of Jerusalem in 164 B.C.E. Christians celebrate Advent- a period of waiting for the birth of Christ- Followed by his birth, Christmas. Muslims celebrate the birth of the Prophet in November or December depending on the Lunar calendar. Appreciation and celebration of the coming of light transcends all faiths, all religions.

Snippet of Integration

One fated Christmas Eve, many lifetimes ago, while I was still a young student of 19 years, I, responded to my heart’s calling to visit Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, a shelter home for specially abled people, both old folks and young newborns. This was my maiden visit. Little did I know of the Serendipitous moments that were to follow. Upon entering, I was greeted by and ushered into a hall by the care taker Nun. I immediately made my purpose of visit known to her. I could tell by the softness in her speech that she was more than delighted to give a tour of her shelter home to a young curious student. I expressed my desire of starting my visitation with the experienced, learned and wise fabric of the society, the old wing. We went inside. My first reaction upon entering was of, first, utter dismay and second, chuffed to bits. Why the contrast, you ask ? Well, Dismay upon seeing such educated prestigious senior citizens being left to fend for themselves in times when they probably needed extra care and upkeep. And Joy, because despite the conditions they were being forced to adjust in, they all seemingly appeared jolly and lived like one big family. I had the privilege to speak and exchange words with all of the housemates. They welcomed me as if it were someone from their own family and they spoke to me at lengths about their stories.

One incident, however, stood out for me, when I reached to wish an elderly lady of 82. She was the silent one of them all. Her eyes conveyed more emotions than words could ever contain. As I reached to her proximity, She held my hand so tight, almost interlocking her fingers into mine. I sensed her need to feel familial affinity and in reciprocation, I hugged her even tighter. Boy, what an embrace that was!

After staying awhile and sharing plum cakes that I had brought for them, when it was time for me to say goodbye, she didn’t let go of my hand. She wanted me to stay longer. There were tears of happiness in her eyes. And being a young emotionally raw and vulnerable girl, I couldn’t hold back either and was moved to tears! I froze for a moment.Time stood still. I felt hot flashes under my skin. I couldn’t comprehend what had just happened? Those same people came forward to give me a big warm hug. In that moment, I swear, I felt a hand of God on me. In that moment, I transformed into a different person altogether. Something changed in me forever. From being a proud privileged teenager to a humble and grounded woman, My life took a 360.

That day, in December, was a moment of coming into light, of integration for me.

The greatest illusion in this world is that of separation. The way out of the matrix is becoming one with the spectrum.

The Coming Of Light

Even this late it happens:

The coming of love, the coming of light.

You wake and the candles are lit as if by themselves,

Stars gather, dreams pour into your pillows, sending up warm bouquets of air.

Even this late the bones of the body shine and tomorrow’s dust flares into breath.

-Mark Strand

Thank you so much for reading !

In response to Øivind H. Solheim Blue Insights’ December Cultural Prompt:

Chag Pesach Sameach and Merry Christmas Folks:)

Fiat lux et facta est lux

L’chaim