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DECEMBER is a month that for many Years has been a time of celebration and important spiritual! observances around the world.

Even people who have no special religious connections are caught up in the changes

appening — the scl- stice which marks the grad-

*. ual return of longer daylight hours and traditional cele-. brations marked by: green- ery, lights and music.

Seniors especially can . remember. Christmas from the past when life was sim- pier and frmilies were closer together.” : .

”, Fifty or 60 years ag0, most Canadians were . Christians and attended ' -church regularly. Nowadays

Christian: churches see

Sharing a. Vision: : Of Health

as people explore other faith traditions or have no con- nection with any organized religion.

In addition, new Canadians from other cul- tures have brought a variety

’ of religious traditions to our _country.

For instance, fews cele- brate. Hanukkah, the Feast of Lights, which commemo- rates the dedication of a temple that was destroyed in 165 B.C. Enough oil was found to keep a sacred flame lit for eight days.

“Muslims celebrate

_ Ramadan, which this year Began on Dec. 9. Adherents

to the faith observe this. time by fasting from:dawn

; to’sunset for a month.’

© Western Christians, of |

“course, observe Dec. 25 as

the birth of Jesus, although

there i is some ‘question ; as to”

the.exact date: - Again, the return of the

ight to earth is symbolic of

the ongoing changes that

:\amark our connections to the

greater universe: 3: 2" ethodox Christians, on the other hand, celebrate Chiistmas ‘on: Jan. 7. Sikhs’ ° and. Hindus also recognize:

the Fhe Tighe to he

ciices and. community, fiad that ‘most of us get

caight up in activities that. -

don’t’ Feall add to our.

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‘Things like shopping, enter- taining, unnecessary cook- ing, eating and drinking do not reflect haw we all value friends and family, and the wonderful, if not miraculous return of the light to our part of the world.

And as we grow older, we become even more aware of the importance of our family and our friends.

We may also find that we have less energy than we used to, and family members and friends may be far away.

Several years ago I attended a workshop at the North Shore Unitarian ‘Church called Unplug the Christmas Machine. . ~

We looked at all the things that make this season special for everyone and we finished by signing the Christmas Pledge:

Believing in the beauty and simplicity of Christmas, I commit myself to the fol- lowing:

WW to remember those peopte - who truly need my gifts;

@ to express my love for fam- ily and friends in more direct ways than presents;

@ to rededicate myself to the. spiritual growth of my fami- V5

@.to examine my holiday

activities in light of the crue

spirit. of Christmas, and to initiate one.

Mary Segat is. coordinator of. Lionsview >. -. Seniors’

Planning: Society. Ideas. for: *). future columns ave welcome

“Contact Segal at 985-3852 or . ine to’ Lionsview

Planning - Society,

600:

VIN. 213.

act of | peacemaking within .my ‘cir-"

_ cle of family. and friends. :

_ | wish all of my readers a. joyous holiday season and

_may we all sec more peace in

_ the year 2000. :

DECEMBER ii is atime to belleve In the

to retiect ston the importance ot friends

offers caring sti agement and info info.

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