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Christmas is a very dominant holiday. It’s quite rude, when you think of it, the way it has invaded everywhere (yes, I’m joking). In that way, it’s much like the English language, which James D. Nicoll described as not just borrowing words from other languages, but “on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.” 

But Christmas isn’t the only holiday that celebrates the coming of the light in the dark of winter (which is my more secular interpretation of things). Today is the last day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. The winter solstice, celebrated by pagans, is just a week away, and the Hindu festival of lights Diwali was just last month.

And there’s Festivus.

//giphy.com/embed/KAQzzHa1ZugRGvia GIPHY

There is a reason that many of us try to make the shift to talking about the holidays, rather than Christmas. And despite this series of posts being named after that particular tradition, I think it’s important that we recognize the other holidays that celebrate light these days when it is so dark outside. Unless you live in the southern hemisphere where there’s a lot of light all of a sudden.

Why not try to participate in other celebrations, as well? Taste the holiday food and find out about your neighbour’s traditions. Let us together shine the light of unity and joy.

How do you celebrate light this time of year?

#ChronicChristmas is an Advent calendar of tips for a sane holiday season with a chronic illness. Check back tomorrow for the next tip. To see all the posts in the series, click the #ChronicChristmas label below this post.