HARMONIZING COMMUNITIES EVENT: LIGHT A CANDLE

The winter solstice, it is the darkest time of the year when the nights are longer and the days are shorter.  In those days our grandparents and joint families would get around a bonfire and sing, pray and get together.  Soon the big word "nuclear" changed the rules for all nations as well as its people, who are now a living proof of unclear challenges.  No battle that has ever been fought, has won and the only battle that can win is not by the sword but by love. Everybody with little common sense knows that, but yet we arm ourselves ably. 
Two thousand years later, we are fighting, probably the worst of all dark ages battles. Each and every country is at war within themselves, something worse than before. It is so pathetic how religious and educational institutions show-off a spurious future, using children to compete with prejudice and extremism; instead of helping them distinguish between the elements of faith that foster peace and understanding.
Hanukkah, the festival of lights, marks the victory of the Jews against their Hellenized Syrian oppressors in the land of Israel during the second century BCE. The Jews had none of the weaponry of their occupiers. Yet the Maccabees would not succumb to the demands of the Syrians to give up their religious beliefs and practices. The fact that the Maccabees ultimately prevailed is recorded as the first war in history fought for religious liberty.
In Hinduism, it is written
Asato mā sad gamaya; From ignorance, lead me to truth;
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya; From darkness, lead me to light; 
Mṛtyormā amṛtam gamaya; From death, lead me to immortality
In Christianity, it is written that Jesus spoke the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Christian, Hindus, Jews and all, if we move closer to each other, each one of us needs to light a candle, to overcome the darkness. Appropriately enough, all communities celebrate the festival of lights some way or the other, some with reference to the context, some with traditions that have been passed on, some for culture sake, and still some for party sake.  One thing is for sure that we still believe in miracles, miracles are for real, to turn around any situation, it is about time for great miracles to happen, they happened before and they will happen even now.
Celebrate the festival of lights in your own way, gather a group of people from your neighborhood that share the same thoughts you have, follow the KISS rule, i.e Keep It Simple and Sweet.  Distribute candles to all those who are invited, then light the biggest candle and ask all the people to take a flame connection and then place the candle on a large alter.  The alter could be made of seven stone, three stones on each side and the large resting on the stones.  Sing joyous songs, or Christmas carols of good words and then place the candles on the alter. Each one taking the light from the tallest candles must say what is written on the alter and pray to God whatever his/her needs may be.
To be placed on the alter and written on a chart for all to read.
To be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.
To put to death immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed.
To get rid of idolatry which is anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.
To give up lies, old practices, renewal of self, knowledge, and acknowledge God.
To be develop Godliness, holiness, loveliness, highness, and integrity.
To help each other in bearing, forgiving, caring, sharing and loving.


Join us as we wait to light a candle: 7:00 pm sharp,
Date: 11/12/2010, Sec 46 C, G.Fl 3646, Chandigarh
Contact:9501151511, email us: a2oexpress@gmail.com
Entertainment Courtesy: Angel Rangers, the youngest rock stars performing at their best.

Followed by Contests in Carol Singing, Christmas Karaoke, Dancing, Games and loads of unlimited fun.