20 Dec Happy Holidays! (And here’s why I say that.)

Happy Holiday!

Why do I use the Happy Holidays greeting? First and foremost, because it’s a wonderful time of year to send good cheer. And I don’t know what you celebrate. Out of respect for you and not wanting to make assumptions (which we know is a wonderful tenet of cultural competence!) I’m using the broader “holidays” to embrace the variety of religious celebrations this time of year.

For me, I celebrate Christmas. And I’m a nostalgic, as many lights and garlands and bows and bells as you can have kind of person. My friends say they can recognize my house from two blocks away this time of year.

Religious Holiday Traditions Celebrated in December

Most are familiar with Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of lights. That annual date follows the Hebrew calendar, so this year it actually started in November. It lasts eight days and eight nights. Buddhists celebrated Rohatsu (Bodhi Day) with meditation on December 8. Posadas Navideñas, December 16-24 this year, is a primarily Hispanic Christian holiday (celebrated in Mexico and parts of Latin America), commending Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

While the Solstice is often recognized secularly as the longest night of the year, it is a religious holiday in the Wicca/Pagan tradition that represents the rebirth of the Sun God. Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims. Based on the lunar calendar, the last time the first day of Ramadan fell in December was in 1999 and that won’t happen again until 2030!

Whatever you celebrate, on behalf of the entire EDS team, wishing you and your family a joyous holiday and a happy and healthy new year.

Elmer Dixon
President
Executive Diversity Services

p.s. My intent was to be as inclusive as possible. Did I miss a religious celebration that’s important to you this time of year? Please share in the comments.