From one country to another, from one religion to another, from one person to another ... This holiday season brings out the best in most of us as we try to share our most emotional beliefs. As a Christian, I celebrate the holiday with family traditions from our church heritage. What is interesting to me is that many of my Christian friends don't celebrate in the same way...no toasting, no singing... Just different traditions.
Other friends are not Christian by faith, but they put up with me and I try to honor their beliefs and practices when invited to join in their celebrations. What I do notice is the love and warmth we all seem to share, no matter what our religion or our cultural backgrounds may be.
Imposing my celebrations and beliefs on others is no more natural for me than others forcing their religion or cultural habits on my holiday. It's nice to be in a community of friends who coexist with variations and differences--race, culture, religion, politics... and we still can respect and love one another. May your season of choice be a happy one. May the Chinese Year of the Tiger be fiercely successful for you.
