Not Just Christmas

Here in the US, at least, the "holiday season" tends to indicate November through January. For the War On Christmas people, who want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and only a Merry Christmas, may I remind you about these 2013/2014 dates...

November 3: Diwali, the Hindu celebration of lights
November 4: Al-Hijira, the Muslim new year
November 12: Birth of Baha'u'llah, the celebration of the founder of the Baha'i faith
November 13: Ashura, an Islamic day of mourning for Husayn ibn Ali
November 15: Shichi-go-san, the Shinto day of prayer for the health and growth of children
November 17: the Sikh celebration of the birth of Guru Nanak
November 23: Niinamesei, Shinto harvest/labor thanksgiving day celebration
November 24: Sikh observance of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur
November 26: Baha'i celebration of the Day of the Covenant, when 'Abdu'l-Baha' promised to unite the people
November 28: Baha'i commemoration of the death and ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha'
November 28: Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light

December 8: Bodhi Day, the Buddhist celebration of enlightenment
December 21: Yule, the Pagan celebration of the birth of the God, and the return of the sun
December 26: Kwanzaa (really? I'd originally left out Kwanzaa????), a celebration of Family, Community and Culture

January 5: the Sikh celebration of the birth of Guru Bogind Singh
January 7: Rasafarian Christmas
January 13: Milad un-Nabi, the Muslim commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad
January 14: Makar Sankranti, the Hindu celebration of the movement of the sun into the Northern Hemisphere/ into Makara Rashi
January 15: the Shinto "Coming of Age Day", Seijin Shiki
January 16: Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish new year for trees
January 31: the Sikh celebration of the birth of Guru Har Rai

(all dates from www.123newyear.com)

So! Folks, next time you feel like maybe Christmas isn't getting a good enough shake or enough attention, do try to remember ~ it's not just Christmas happening this "holiday season."

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.