There is more than Christmas to think about

[Back2Jake]

I am surprised, and perhaps a little sad that of our thousands of members here, no one has mentioned "other" special holidays our diverse community celebrates. Yet at this moment, there are four threads with Christmas wishes.

We have grown as a group, so close in many ways... and helping each other in "real life" during times of need, I expected to see something posted here for those of other faiths - to wish them (part of our SSWC family) all the best during their holidays.

Many faiths celebrate various holidays this time of year, and perhaps the fact that I am a religious mutt, I appreciate many of them, and accept them all for the peace they bring.

Today is Yule, and I know some of us here celebrate it.
For those who I've missed the opportunity, I hope your special holiday (Hannauka, Kwanzaa, Ramadan) is/was one of peace and contentment.

Next year, I'll make sure to post my wishes, and hope to see others here share in your holiday too, even if they don't celbrate it themselves.

Season's Greetings to All
Toni & Sue

[Plaquerd]

Toni
I'm with you on this.

I posted my thread in the spirit of the holidays.
To me this time of year is for ALL faiths to come
together and try to find peace, happiness and
good will, to EVERYONE.
I was raised to respect people, their property
and their beliefs, I still follow those teachings.
I didn't start that thread with any thing in mind
except good will and wishes to ALL, regardless of
their faith.

[Gill]

Well, if I'm totally honest, I don't really care about religious faiths so long as they don't intrude on my complete antipathy towards them. If celebrating Christmas or Yule or Diwali or Hanukkah or whatever gives you a kick, I'm pleased for you and wish you every seasonal happiness.

For myself, at this time of year I like to worship in those great cathedrals of capitalism known as 'malls'. Sometimes I offer prayers (and my credit card number) to the deity known as Amazon.com. Every now and then I also attend those lovely churches where the priests stand behind altars and after they take your offerings, they dispense holy water from hand pumps attached to the top of the altar.

This time of year is fun, especially for heathens like me. I hope everyone enjoys it even if they're handicapped by the constraints of a religion. Now I'll close with the late Dave Allen's famous tag line: "Good night, and may your God go with you."



Gill

[Mike Crosa]

I echo what Toni and Dave said.

Mike C.

[campasano]

Toni, you are right, we should respect all peoples faith and beliefs regardless of our take on religion. I want to wish people of other faiths a very happy Hanakka,Kwanzaa and Ramadan . May God be with you all on your celebrations........MIKE

[Back2Jake]

Thank you Mike, Mike, Dave and Gill.
I'm sure your posts mean something to others as well as myself.

As I read this most this afternoon, Sue walked in the office with two "gifts" for me. Yesterdays Yule celbrations didn't go as planned so today we will complete them. Anyhow, in her way, Sue made this Yule one to remember.

Aside from accepting I'm a little odd, in somethings I do, (remember she worked in mental health for over 30 years) she managed to find some special items, I will hold dear for the rest of my life.Whales are significant to my life, and I now have something to honour them with. She also added the belief's another culture to my world today - with an African bracelet.

I suppose in someways Sue shares in my beliefs, and in some Gill's. (Items were found on Ebay)

Again, thanks for contributing your posts you guys.... you're dear.

Respectfully,
Toni

[GrayBeard Phil]

Toni and Sue:

The hours of daylight have shriveled and lessened before our eyes in the cycle of all things. And now we can look to the sky and know the cycle continues. The warmth of the spring and the return of long sun light hours shall come, as promised by the passing of the winter solstice.

But first, before the halcyon days of tulips in bloom, we of the northern hemisphere, must gird our loins for the test of our soul against the furry of winter yet to come.

So take comfort in your heart, and rejoice during this season of comfort. For the memories shall surely give encouragement in the wait and trials that await us until it is the season for the celebration of the Spring Equinox and the end of snow. For another turn of the cycle of the year.

[Back2Jake]

Phil,

Thanks for that gift also.
Big Hug.
Toni

[minowevie]

Well, Here I go. I truely love the prettys of Xmas. and all the hollidays. but what I hate. is the Shaming that goes with it. for me it is unity. and sharing. not who forgot what, not who is forgot. not why was forgot. but coming together. not feeling good enough no matter what we do . is sooooo shaming. I will tell you what, if it was up to me. I would banish all of it. this has nothing to do with God, as we understand him. but what we understand the world should live up to. all the should does. and should nots. who we should forgive, and who we should bash buy not doing so. We have differant cultures, and differant believfs. an spelling might i add. but I don't think ,,, Im right,,, and your roung,, has anything to do with woodworking, and a family with differant beleifs. we all come together, to shar a comon interest. not beliefs. am i getting closer to spelling . probley not. I just hate when folks wont every thing to be about them. and forget that it is not. or dont' cair. woops. well ... I guess what I would like to say is. I wish you love, friendship, compation, understanding, and the willingness to understand, that we are all differant, and that makes us the same. dang it anyway. if I have been absent in my congrats on any ones hollidays. I am sorry. but I do love you the same. and would fight for the right to be differant. together.( I would hate it , if I didn't agree with you, I wouldn't be part of you.that would suck big time, for, I would miss you) your friend Evie

[Kevin12]

Toni, I thought I was the only one who called myself a "religious mutt." I'm glad there's (at least) another one out there, and 'ya know, I'm glad it's you. I'm really not at all religious, but I am quite spiritual. Might sound like splitting hairs, but to me there's a big difference.

I do wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, whatever you want to call it. Makes no difference to me. My best wishes go out to everyone. It's wonderful being a part of you all.