Hope, faith, and joy

A special greeting for Eid-al-Adha

This evening begins the holy festival of Eid-al-Adha for our Muslim friends. From what I've been able to learn, an appropriate greeting is "May the divine blessings of Allah bring you hope, faith, and joy on Eid al-Adha and forever."

I'm trying to stay current with holiday greetings for major religions throughout the year, instead of only thinking about holidays in December! This festival changes dates, based on a lunar calendar, but if I got this right, it runs from this evening through Wednesday evening. We all could benefit from greater hope, faith, and joy, in the spirit of this festival!

I remain convinced that we must seek stronger bonds of understanding across cultural differences, so that we may build bridges (PLEASE, not walls!) between ourselves and our neighbors. Eid Mubarak, my friends. May all of us open ourselves to receive greater hope, faith, and joy!

IMAGE CREDIT: many thanks to Religion World, for this beautiful design.

Let there be light!

This morning . . . 

The first Sunday of Advent is when we light the "Hope" candle. Image by Erika Sanborne.

This evening . . . 

The first evening of Hanukkah, in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Mea Shearim. Photo by Sebi Berens, taken 12/24/2016.

Whatever your heritage, may your winter nights be filled with the light of love.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Rachael A. Keefe, whose "Bidding Prayer for the First Sunday of Advent - Hope" offers a lovely little prayer litany for those who might like one for the occasion, for the "Hope" Advent image by Erika Sanborne; and to Jewish News Syndicate and photographer Sebi Berens, for the First Night of Hanukkah photo.