Can The Christians Also Celebrate Deepawali ?

Rev. Fr. Paul Lelen Haokip *

Diwali - the festival of light at Imphal city on November 07 2010

INTRODUCTION:

Before I answer the heading of this small article, let me describe some of the many celebrations related with light in the olden times around the globe. Light is an important element in many holidays and festivals throughout the world. It is the symbol of the divine bringing light into the world. Light also has meanings related to the religious or cultural background of different countries.

Throughout the month of November & December, many countries use light as an important symbol. Five holidays being discussed in this article are Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Le Re'veillon, Los Posados, and St. Lucia Day. I am the Light of the world; he that follows Me, shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12).

HANUKKAH:

Hanukkah, also known as the Feast of Lights is celebrated in the month of December. It is a celebration that lasts eight days. The eight days celebration symbolizes the Rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. When it was time to light the Temple lamp, there was only enough oil for the lamp to burn one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days.

The significance of the eight days is also celebrated by lighting one candle for each day of the celebration. Each candle represents a day the oil burned in the Temple lamp. The candles are held in a symbolic figure called the menorah that consists of nine candle holders, the middle being called the shammash. The shammash is the first candle to be lit and lights the other candles, one for each night of celebration. This continues until all the candles are lit.

KWANZAA:

Like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is a one-week celebration that features light (candles) and gifts, and the harvest foods of Africa. The holiday is an opportunity to focus on moral values that have their origins in African village tradition. First celebrated in 1966, every year since then Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1. Light is used in this celebration as a symbol of seven principles.

Each principal is symbolized with a candle. A kinara is the candle holder that holds the seven candles. Each night a candle is lit and families talk about one of the seven principles. This is done each night until all the candles are lit. These seven candles represent mshumaa, meaning the seven principles. These principles are 1) unity, 2) self-determination, 3) collective work and responsibility, 4) cooperative economics, 5) purpose, 6) creativity, and 7) faith.

LE RE'VEILLON:

Le Re'veillon is a holiday celebrated in Canada and France. This holiday is similar to Christmas in that it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. On Christmas Eve a large candle is lit symbolizing Christ, Light of the World. This candle is left to burn throughout the night. Many people also light candles during the re'veillon, which is the Christmas dinner. This custom is celebrated in Sweden as well as in England, Ireland, and Denmark.

LOS POSADOS:

This holiday is celebrated in Mexico, beginning December 16. The celebration last for nine nights. Each night children and their families reenact the story of Mary and Joseph (parents of Jesus Christ) trying to find a place to lodge for the night. They travel to each house holding lighted candles and are turned away until they reach the house where the festivities of the night are being held. At this house, they are welcomed to go in and join in the celebration for the evening.

ST. LUCIA DAY:

St. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13. The story behind the holiday is of a young Sicilian girl who lived over 1,700 years ago. She would not deny Christianity so she was punished and her eyes were put out. She is pictured as wearing white robes and wearing a crown of light. The light represents the breaking of the winter spell and bringing light into the world. St. Lucia Day is celebrated in Sweden, Finland, Italy, and the Caribbean.

DIWALI – THE INDIAN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS:

According to Hindu reckoning, the date of Diwali falls on 15th day of the dark fortnight in the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik or the month of October/November in English calendar. This Diwali day falls on the amavasya or the no moon day. Diwali date comes 20 days after the popular festival of Dussehra or Vijaya Dashmi. Hindus in India, and all over the world, celebrate Diwali (or Deepawali), a festival of lights that is as big as Christmas is for Christians.

The festival commemorates the destruction of the evil king Ravana by the good king Rama, who then returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya, to be welcomed by all the people, who light up their homes with candles. The Diwali Festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Besides Hinduism, it is considered a significant festival to Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains.

CONCLUSION:

Is there a Christian interest in the Festival of Hanukkah? Perhaps the most obvious answer is that Jesus attended the Festival, as we may read in the Gospel of John 10: 22 and 23: "Then came the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade". 'Dedication' is the English translation of the Hebrew word 'Hanukkah'.

In Jesus' time there was an extra illumination of the Temple during the celebration of Hanukkah, the annual commemoration of the Dedication of the Altar' and of the Sanctuary', in 165 B.C. (I Maccabees 4:36-59). Beside the ancient Mosaic 7-branched Menorah, there were "great candelabras burning in the Women's Court".

This freedom from enslavement/darkness is for men and women, young and old, the sighted and the blind, the rich and poor, the saintly and the sinful. As the different traffic lights indicate to us different meanings, so let these rows of diyas, series of celebrations show us to walk just lives. May the light of God shine on each one of us.