The last third of December is brim-full of religious holidays–in addition to those coming earlier in the month. Dec. 20, at sundown, sees the start of the Jewish Hanukkah (restoration of the temple in Jerusalem). On Dec. 21 Zoroastrians celebrate Yalda (winter solstice), while on Dec. 22 Wiccans celebrate Yule, or Yuletide (also the winter solstice). On Dec. 25 Christians observe Christmas (birth of Christ). Dec. 26 finds the Zoroastrians commemorating the death of their prophet Zarathushtra (AKA Zoroaster) and African-Americans and pan-Africans begin Kwanzaa (celebrating family, community, culture, and faith).
So, please forgive me if I wish “happy holidays” to anyone whose religion (or lack thereof) I don’t know. And, because my readers come from all over and are part of a rainbow of cultures, I say to you all:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!