MORE THAN CHRISTMAS DECEMBER CELEBRATIONS TO CHECK OUT by Carisa Rowe
There are two types of holiday folks: those who are thrilled about and those who are… not. There are many faiths celebrating holidays during the winter months and even some celebrations for those who don’t resonate with a particular religion. While Christmas and Chanukah are familiar to many, there are some fantastic holidays going on throughout the month of December. Whatever your faith or not-faith, introducing cannabis to holiday traditions is a surefire way to cheer up the spirits of holiday gatherings and help keep winter doldrums at bay.
Chanukah NOV 28 – DEC 6, 2021
Beginning in November this year, Chanukah, takes place for eight days. The word “chanukah” translates into English to mean “dedication” and the holiday celebrates the faithful commitment of Jewish people to G-d in the face of oppression and genocide. This Syrian-Greek army was compelling Jews to convert to Greek ideals and destroying settlements across Jerusalem, stealing supplies, and leaving encampments and townships bereft.
After Judah and Maccabee lead a small band of Jews to drive the Seleucids away, they entered the Temple to find that they had only enough oil to light the Menorah for evening worship. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days, until new supplies could reach the region. Believing this to be the work of G-d for the faith and commitment, the sages instituted Chanukah, a festival of lights. Lighting the Menorah is a sacred act in Jewish faith and is often accompanied with blessing .
Bodhi Day DECEMBER 8, 2021
Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday that celebrates the enlightenment of Buddha. In Buddhist history, Siddhartha Gautama had forsaken asceticism, which is the practice of avoiding pleasure, and chosen instead to sit under a Bodhi tree (peepal tree) to meditate until he understood where suffering originates and how one could liberate themself from it. thechronicmagazine.com
DECEMBER ISSUE 22
