2. The Days of Light 2007 “Solstice Round” from the album At the Turning of the Year by Herdman, Hills and Mangsen (2000)

3. “A great miracle happened here.” December 4-12

4. A great miracle happened here.” “A great miracle happened here.” December 4-12 Light has been a blessing…

5. “A great miracle happened here.” December 4-12 … for thousands of years.

6. “A great miracle happened here.” “A great miracle happened here.” December 4-12

7. “A great miracle happened here.” December 4-12 From earliest history…

8. “A great miracle happened here.” “A great miracle happened here.” December 4-12 …we have felt…

9. “A great miracle happened here.” December 4-12 …a connection to Deity…

10. “A great miracle happened here.” “A great miracle happened here.” December 4-12 … through light.

11. St. Nicholas Day December 6 We, too, can perform many good deeds and be a friend to the poor and helpless… This napkin available at the Shop at www.stnicholascenter.orgwww.stnicholascenter.org

12. St. Nicholas Day December 6 …and be a light for others.

13. Virgin of Guadalupe December 12 The light of faith can heal. This photograph of the actual image on the tilma, and more images, are available at www.sancta.org/gallery/index.html www.sancta.org/gallery/index.html

14. Virgin of Guadalupe December 12 The light of faith can inspire! Instructions for making this figurine are at www.crayola.com/crafts/detail/guadalupe-day-decorations-craft/ www.crayola.com/crafts/detail/guadalupe-day-decorations-craft/

15. St. Lucia’s Day December 13 Like Saint Lucy, you can bring light and happiness to others! Danish girls in the Lucia procession at a Helsingør public school, 2001

16. St. Lucia’s Day December 13 “My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.” Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) “Lucia” by Swedish painter Carl Larsson, 1908

17. Eid-Ul-Adha December 20 On the day when the lunar crescent after the new moon can be seen with a naked eye, at the end of the Hajj, the light of the moon guides us home.

18. Eid-Ul-Adha December 20 The celebration of Eid-Ul-Adha is in commemoration of the command give by Allah to Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his first born son Ishmael to Him. The fulfillment of this noble command of Allah by Abraham signifies his faith in Allah.

19. Yule, or Winter Solstice December 22 The Wheel of the Year turns…

20. Yule, or Winter Solstice December 22 …and the Sun returns to the sky.

21. Yule, or Winter Solstice December 22 Our Sun’s life-giving rays make us happier as the days get longer and longer. We think of the warm days ahead.

22. Christmas Eve December 24 Painting by RFord The Star of Bethlehem guided the Wise Men to seek the Holy Child…

23. Painting by RFord Christmas Eve December 24 …Jesus, who brought light to the world by teaching us we should love God and each other.

24. Boxing Day, or St. Stephen’s Day December 26 To keep the tradition of Boxing Day alive, many businesses, organizations, and families donate their time, services, and money…

25. Boxing Day, or St. Stephen’s Day December 26 …to aid Food Banks and provide gifts for the poor, …or they may choose to help an individual family that is in need.

26. Boxing Day, or St. Stephen’s Day December 26 This is also the day to give a bonus to those who help you during the year, like grocers, mailmen, and servants.

27. Kwanzaa December 26 - January 1 Ingathering Reverence Commemoration Recommitment Celebration This celebration builds on the five fundamental activities of Continental African "first fruit" celebrations: www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org

28. Kwanzaa December 26 - January 1 A candle for each day and quality…

29. Kwanzaa December 26 - January 1 Unity www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org

30. Kwanzaa December 26 - January 1 Unity www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org Self-Determination

31. Kwanzaa December 26 - January 1 Unity www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org Self-Determination Collective Work and Responsibility

32. Kwanzaa December 26 - January 1 Unity www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org Self-Determination Cooperative Economics Collective Work and Responsibility

33. Kwanzaa December 26 - January 1 Unity www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org Self-Determination Cooperative Economics Purpose Collective Work and Responsibility

34. Kwanzaa December 26 - January 1 Unity www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org Self-Determination Cooperative Economics Purpose Collective Work and Responsibility Creativity

35. Kwanzaa December 26 - January 1 Unity www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org Self-Determination Cooperative Economics Purpose Collective Work and Responsibility Creativity Faith

36. New Year’s Eve! December 31 The new calendar begins in a blaze of light!

37. Happy New Year! Let your light so shine! Rev. Su Leone www.ladywindsong.com