TaraMaiden Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 All over the world, many countries, cultures and religions, celebrate the 'defeat of Darkness' by the 'Coming of the Light'... To name but a few, you have Diwali, (Primarily Hindu) Hanukkah (Jewish) and the Tazaungdaing Festival (Buddhism). There is of course, Christmas to Christians all over, who celebrate the birth of 'The Light of the World' which as most people know, was timed to eventually take over from the Feast of saturnalia.... Saturnalia is a festival of light leading to the winter solstice, with the abundant presence of candles symbolizing the quest for knowledge and truth. The renewal of light and the coming of the new year was celebrated in the later Roman Empire at the 'Dies Natalis of Sol Invictus', the "Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun," on December 25. No matter who you are, what your calling, or how you celebrate, may you all, without exception, enjoy a most de-LIGHT-ful festive season. If you love someone, tell them. Because a smile can light the whole room, and stays in the heart, long after the glow has faded..... 6 Link to post Share on other sites
BetheButterfly Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 (edited) All over the world, many countries, cultures and religions, celebrate the 'defeat of Darkness' by the 'Coming of the Light'... To name but a few, you have Diwali, (Primarily Hindu) Hanukkah (Jewish) and the Tazaungdaing Festival (Buddhism). Wow! I didn't know about Diwali and the Tazaungdaing Festival! You are giving me more to learn about, TaraMaiden! Stop enlightening my world! (Just kidding... lol) You know I greatly appreciate learning from you and that's so cool about what different cultures and religions share!!! There is of course, Christmas to Christians all over, who celebrate the birth of 'The Light of the World' which as most people know, was timed to eventually take over from the Feast of saturnalia....I do think it's interesting that much of Roman culture, as well as other cultures, assimilated and expanded through the conquests of the Roman Empire. It's fascinating. No matter who you are, what your calling, or how you celebrate, may you all, without exception, enjoy a most de-LIGHT-ful festive season.SO BEAUTIFUL!!! You too! If you love someone, tell them. Because a smile can light the whole room, and stays in the heart, long after the glow has faded.....Amen!!! Thank you so much for making the world a brighter place!!! Love you! Edited December 14, 2012 by BetheButterfly Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Lights are nice, and light festivals are pretty. But there is only one "light of the world". Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Link to post Share on other sites
BetheButterfly Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) I that verse and Jesus' teachings. Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 (edited) I that verse and Jesus' teachings. You know, it's funny. I've heard people say that Jesus was extremely "arrogant" or "narcissistic" for saying these things. But if he is CORRECT in his comments about himself, then it's merely him stating a fact. It's only arrogant if a sinful person like one of US said such a thing. Also, I've heard psychologists say that Jesus showed no signs of narcissism or psychopathology which would be consistent with those accusations. Narcissists don't submit to anyone's will unto death. Edited December 14, 2012 by M30USA Link to post Share on other sites
BetheButterfly Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 You know, it's funny. I've heard people say that Jesus was extremely "arrogant" or "narcissistic" for saying these things. But if he is CORRECT in his comments about himself, then it's merely him stating a fact. It's only arrogant if a sinful person like one of US said such a thing. I think people's attitudes depend on how they filter info. I personally do not see Jesus as being arrogant or narcissistic at all, but my filter for Jesus' teachings is love. Now, Jesus' teachings have helped me love him, because of his teachings on love. Funny how that is. I filter Martin Luther King Jr.'s saying through love too, because I greatly admire him and what he did for all people in emphasizing equality and peace. Now, I don't tend to filter everyone's words through love but I wonder if I should? For example, if I filter a person's words who I don't know or admire through love, will I see that person as arrogant? Or, will I consider the positive only? Thanks for your thought-provoking post. I have to go now because I've spent way too much time on here. Link to post Share on other sites
Anela Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 All over the world, many countries, cultures and religions, celebrate the 'defeat of Darkness' by the 'Coming of the Light'... To name but a few, you have Diwali, (Primarily Hindu) Hanukkah (Jewish) and the Tazaungdaing Festival (Buddhism). There is of course, Christmas to Christians all over, who celebrate the birth of 'The Light of the World' which as most people know, was timed to eventually take over from the Feast of saturnalia.... No matter who you are, what your calling, or how you celebrate, may you all, without exception, enjoy a most de-LIGHT-ful festive season. If you love someone, tell them. Because a smile can light the whole room, and stays in the heart, long after the glow has faded..... This is lovely. Thank you for the all-inclusive thread. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
El Brujo Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 Don't forget, the ancient Celts had Beltane, the big bonfire celebration, to praise Lugh, the Celtic god of Light. Before the Christian missionaries turned them all holy-roller, the ancient Slavs celebrated Byelbog (the god of light) in his victories over Chernobog (the god of darkness). The Zoroastrians believe in pretty much the same thing, Ahura Mazda (the god of light) versus Angra Mainyu (the god of darkness). Just ask Freddy Mercury, he's a Zoroastrian. ;-) Link to post Share on other sites
Author TaraMaiden Posted December 15, 2012 Author Share Posted December 15, 2012 Unfortunately, he's also dead, so that's a sticking point there... The Magi were not 'kings', they were Zoroastrians, and there were more than three of them... Link to post Share on other sites
TheFinalWord Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 No matter who you are, what your calling, or how you celebrate, may you all, without exception, enjoy a most de-LIGHT-ful festive season. If you love someone, tell them. Because a smile can light the whole room, and stays in the heart, long after the glow has faded..... Thanks TaraMaiden, happy Tazaungdaing Festival to you! (I didn't know what that was, had to look it up) That is so true about telling the people we love, that we love them. Life is so short!!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
BetheButterfly Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 Don't forget, the ancient Celts had Beltane, the big bonfire celebration, to praise Lugh, the Celtic god of Light. My ancestors include the Celts. It is interesting to learn about what other people believed and celebrated. Before the Christian missionaries turned them all holy-roller, the ancient Slavs celebrated Byelbog (the god of light) in his victories over Chernobog (the god of darkness). The Zoroastrians believe in pretty much the same thing, Ahura Mazda (the god of light) versus Angra Mainyu (the god of darkness). Just ask Freddy Mercury, he's a Zoroastrian. ;-) Many Zoroastrian teachings are very interesting. Was King Cyrus the Great a Zoroastrian? Link to post Share on other sites
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