Justice is Served! Blessed Be!

Today, Wee Witch asked my husband a very pointed question that I knew we would eventually have to address....NO - not that one! She asked why the houses around our building are decorated with "Christmas" decorations and people are singing "Christmas songs" and we don't (yes we do have our Fiesta tree up and yes she sat upon Santa's lap and it is adorable)....I understand, it' s hard for a 7 year old to NOT feel "odd" that Mom and Dad have taught her about Yule and Solstices and moon phaeses and Esbats and Sabbats and the rising of Father God and the Union of the God and Goddess as she is rebirthed in her Maiden form on Yule - ready to blossom into "Motherhood" at Spring's arrival while everyone else is talking of of Mangers and Jesus's birth, etc...The reason I understand this so well is that I was raised with a Jewish father and his family (my Cousins, Uncle, Aunt and Grandmother) celebrated Hannukah - my cousins lamanted my stash of gifts and the whole Christmas Eve anticipation and all of that (they are well past that now of course). So, I had to explain to my Wee One that this Holiday season represents many things to MANY people - The Jewish people celebrate Hannukah and light a Mennorah for 8 nights, African families celebrate the Season of Kwanza wih ritualistic dancing and light the Kinara, Islamic people celebrate Ramadan for a whole month with special prayers and then exchange gifts and - we Wiccans celebrate Yule. We have some holly and "seasonal plant decor" but not much else. She seemed pleased with my minimal explanation and reading her Elsie and Pooka Yule edition (a Pagan eZine for kids) and went about her way. Then this morning I caught a news story that truly enlightened me. In a small town here in NY, a private citizen put up a manger scene in front of a public office. This was roughly 2 weeks ago. As usual and as it should, this caused havoc and the mayor, David Carusso, invited people of ALL faiths to do the same - until last night no one did and that disappointed me. Well, lo and behold, with the dawning of this day, there is a BEAUTIFUL Penticle next to the manger! I was thrilled because to me it's less about validation as an AU feild activist and a believer in Freedom of Relious choice, it's something I can show my daughter and say, "See, Honey, lots of families celebrate Yule - just like us!" We are ALL Brothers and Sisters in the eyes of Gaia...What a wonderful way to show that - Blessings of the Yuletide season to you, Mr. Carusso! Myspace Graphics