Rotary Shares the Holiday Season
By Frank
Deaver
Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama USA
A
song we hear in December each year proclaims, "It's the holiday
season," and in various countries of the world Rotarians celebrate
in a variety of ways. Central to all, however, is a spirit of
giving that adds meaning to the 2007-08 Rotary theme, Rotary
Shares.
What do the world's December (and January) holidays have in
common? Among their other celebrations, two themes emerge: giving
to others, and a time of new beginnings. Consider these, in date
order:
Jewish Hanukkah (Dec. 5-12). It is common to
give presents to children, while the past is memorialized with daily
sequential lighting of candles.
Islamic Festival of Sacrifice (Dec. 20). An
animal is ceremonially sacrificed, and as an expression of
generosity the meat is distributed to relatives, friends, and the
poor.
Winter Solstice (Dec. 22). The shortest day of
the year initiates a rebirth, a renewal of opportunity.
Christian Christmas (Dec. 25) or Eastern Orthodox (Jan.
7). Tradition of gift-giving to family members and to the
needy, commemorating Jesus' birth and gifts brought to the child.
Boxing Day (Dec. 26). Employers give presents
Christmas boxes to those who have worked for them throughout the
year.
African-American Kwanzaa (Dec. 26-Jan. 1).
African-American celebration over seven days, culminating in a feast
and gift-giving.
New Years Day (Jan. 1). Beginning a new
calendar year, with its resolutions and opportunities for
self-improvement and service.
Thai Pongal (Jan. 13-16). A Southeast Asia
harvest festival celebrating prosperity, and thanking the rain, sun,
and farm animals for help in the harvest.
Rotarians may have routinely observed one or more of these
celebrations, but in the spirit of the Rotary Shares
theme, here is an opportunity to extend the "Family of Rotary" by
exploring other traditions.
Look around your community, and you're sure to find those from
other countries who can't go home for the holidays perhaps
international students or employees of a foreign company located in
your area. You could make their holidays brighter, and your own as
well, by including them in some of your family events. And while
sharing with them, you can learn about traditions in their
homeland. If children or grandchildren will be in your home during
the holidays, this would be a marvelous way to introduce them to
traditions of other lands.
You will have given the best gift of all, the gift of
friendship. You will have demonstrated the Rotary motto of "Service
Above Self," and that indeed, Rotary Shares. And you
will have made the holiday season less lonely for someone far from
home. In return, you and your family will have experienced
international goodwill and understanding. You will have learned
traditions of other lands. And you will have bonded international
friendships that will continue far beyond the holiday season.
