Advent, 'Happy Holidays' and Other Joys of the Season

For those who complain that Christ has been taken out of societal Christmas celebrations, I have one answer: individuals, families and communities of faith can add meaning to the season and not depend on society.  For  Catholics, Lutherans and other Christian denominations, the weeks leading up to Christmas Day are just as special as Christmas Day itself.

The Advent season offers us a great counterpoint to the immediate gratification that often comes with our activities during this time of year. There is a sense of beauty in waiting and anticipation and the celebrations that accompany Advent. In Latin American countries, people celebrate posadas for eight days, commemorating the search for shelter by Joseph, Mary and Jesus. When I lived in Mexico City as a child the whole block was invited to a posada, and this was a great opportunity to get to know our neighbors. This was a beautiful part of my Christmas season growing up.

This is  indeed the season of recognizing our connections to  everyone around the world, regardless of their beliefs. So, when a person wishes you Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, let's appreciate the good wishes from that individual instead of lamenting that this person is not celebrating the birth of Christ.

This brings me to my other point. Even as we celebrate Christmas, we have to recognize that not everyone is a Christian. Our Jewish brothers and sisters are celebrating Hanukkah close to the same time period, but this is only one of the holy days for Judaism.  The bigger celebration in Judaism comes in the fall and includes Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot. The Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Baha'i communities all have holy seasons  during other parts of the year.

So, how do the people who are not Christian adapt to the Christmas holidays? Every year, the Congregation Albert Brotherhood sponsors a latke brunch to address this question.  Here are the details for the brunch and panel/forum this year.

Being Non-Christian in Albuquerque
Sunday, December 17 
10:00am
Congregation Albert 3800 Louisiana Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM

The latke brunch. including Chanukah latkes, eggs, corned beef hash, sufganiyot (jelly donuts) and fruit, will be followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion of leaders from the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Atheist communities.

Cost for the brunch and program is $12 for Brotherhood and Sisterhood members and $14 for non-members. Proceeds go towards the Brotherhood’s community service projects

For reservations: Please call 883-1818 ext. 3203 and leave your name, telephone number and the number of people that will attend OR email your reservation to brotherhood@congregationalbert.org by December 14.