Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

There are some Christians who won’t have any of the commercial versions of Christmas. To them it is not about ‘happy holidays’. They remain staunchly dedicated to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior that is at the heart of Christianity’s doctrines. They would have none of pagan celebrations to be happy – shopping, eating, exchanging gifts. I probably stand somewhere between the two.

So every Christmas, I find myself writing about the winter solstice. “Solstice” comes from sol the Latin word for sun and statum that means to stand still. It is a natural event on the first days of summer and winter for two or three days when the sun seems to linger for several minutes as it passes across the sky. Strangely people all over the world at different times, whatever their history, nationality or religion are aware of this phenomenon and have used it for celebrating or to ward away evil or disaster.

Richard Cohen who wrote “Chasing the Sun: The Epic Story of the Star That Gives Us Life.” quotes a character in an Alan Furst novel who described succinctly just what the winter solstice is all about.

“It is the day the sun is said to pause. Pleasing, that idea... As though the universe stopped for a moment to reflect, took a day off from work. One could sense it, time slowing down.” Because it is about nature, it has no religion. Different cultures celebrate the moment, the Chinese, Koreans, Scandinavians among them. They celebrate the moment when the sun seems to stand still. That is the wonder. How did a natural event seen from the sky become universally acknowledged even in times when there was no television, newspapers and the internet?

When Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in the fourth century, customs changed and it is said that there was some confusion about the sun and God’s son and this ultimately led to the pagan and Christian concepts to become one.

Since the New Testament does not say when Christ was actually born, Pope Liberius in 354 designated December 25 as the day it happened.

This was a stroke of genius since it was about the same time that the pagans celebrated the winter solstice. The Christian commentator Syrus wrote: “It was a custom of the pagans to celebrate on the same Dec. 25 the birthday of the sun, at which they kindled lights in token of festivity .... Accordingly, when the church authorities perceived that the Christians had a leaning to this festival, they took counsel and resolved that the true Nativity should be solemnized on that day.”

*      *      *

It may be the appropriate time to begin Samira Gutoc-Tomawis (www.facebook.com/n/?profile.php &id= 582377801&mid= 37c96a9G5af34d509 a6aG402a5cG0&bcode=VrSEe&n_m =pedrosa47%40gmail.com) advocacy for Manila-Mindanao networking. Different beliefs, different customs but we share our humanity. Here is an essay she wrote while in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“It is a whole different world out here. I am on a journey of a lifetime. Pilgrimage season in the Muslim world brings together races, colors and ethnicities out on the streets and inside Mecca’s (pronounced Makkah in strict observance of the Arabic script) holy grounds in the largest gathering of a faith – almost two million come together. From China to the United States, every delegation celebrates existence together.

The Muslims, who can afford, observe this pillar of Islam at least once in their lifetime. Coming to Mecca reminds Muslims of their responsibilities as echoed by past prophets such as Abraham and Muhammad and the concept of Resurrection when all will be called to account for their deeds. Saying sorry for sins is a must. Coming out here will make one as if a new born baby.

Walking is one of the main acts that consume time here. Because of the sea of humanity that converges, one has to trek often to go inside the holy grounds called Masjid al-Haram to avoid the traffic. After reaching the prayer area in a wide space for kneeling in worship, one joins the congregation. Kings and the most poor and orphaned sit and stand side by side in a show of equality among men.

Why body to body in my title? People walk and pray so close to each other because of the minions who are here. At worse times, bodies are so pasted to each other to avoid being lost in the sea of people.

One can only gape at the majesty of architecture and lights that shine on those sitting in every nook and cranny at this crowded time of the year. Marbled floors complement chandeliers and pillars. No figures or drawings are decorated. Birds are fluttering above as if like angels welcoming all pilgrims who are in their white attire.

Because of the crowds, nationalities color-code themselves with all forms of symbols that can identify them. Philippine pilgrims numbering almost 4,000 sub-divided under several sheikhs (religious heads of delegations) wear colors of yellow, green, red and so forth. Women wear embroidered flags on their head veils so that their sheik can find them easily. But when they all kneel and bow their heads on their prayer mats, flags unite in God’s praise.

Tears of men and women overflowed after when pilgrims thought of how they had been remiss their whole life in thanking him by kneeling even just 5 times a day.

After circumambulating the Kaabah (House of Worship) and prayers near the Black Stone in Mecca, the markets come alive with window-shopping faithful. I reflect on the faith – there is the balance of the real world to satisfy oneself and the requirement of worship to satisfy the One up there who made this all happen.

Throwing of stones, slaughter of sheep, trimming of hair are all part of the rituals that are a testament to commandments of past centuries. Throwaway the evil, share food, live a new life are all universal messages that Hajj conveys.

H