| Greetings!
Welcome to the first issue of Reach for 2009. Thank you for all of your support and for sharing the messages of this publication with your congregations, families and friends. To reach is a delicate part of our human nature-for a variety of purposes. Whatever it is that we reach for this year; let us be reminded that the greatest blessing lives in what we reach for and towards together. We are destined to do great and wonderful things that will transform lives and change the world for the better, and reaching is an integral part of the process. We wish you a Happy and blessed New Year !
Lead us to from the unreal to the real. (Hindu Invocation)
2009 • The International Year of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is magnanimity in action. The former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said: "Reconciliation is the highest form of dialogue.
Bring Many Languages - January Januar (German), Gennaio (Italian), Januari (Swedish), Enero (Spanish)
The new name and meaning for January in Japanese - First Month.
The ancient name and meaning for January in Japanese - The Month of Friendship. The name for the Moon in January is called the Old Moon, Moon after Yule, and Storm Moon. The first full moon of the year should appear Jan 11, 2009.
Significant Holidays, Holy Days and Observances for January 2009 1 January
New Year's Day is celebrated on 1 January on the Gregorian calendar. It is a time of renewal and a timethat some will resolve to break bad habits and begin good ones.This is often a day of deep reflection and renewal as some will take time to examine their lives over the last twelve months and plan for the coming year. However it is that you choose to celebrate this day and time, may this year bring you life more abundantly.
Global Family Day is formerly One Day of Peace and Sharing. On 1 January, we have an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Global Family Day - One Day of Peace and Sharing for all faiths, cultures, races, nationalities and economic classes.
Temple Day Oshogatsu (or Shogatsu) - Buddhist. Many Buddhists of all traditions pay their respects and pray for good fortune for the New Year at the temple and make resolutions for the year ahead.
Mary, Mother of God - Catholic Christian
Liturgical Color (s): White
Type of Holiday: Solemnity, Holy Day of Obligation
Time of Year: 1 January
Duration: One Day
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ
Alternate Names: Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God; formerly Christ's Circumcision was celebrated this day
Scriptural References: Isaiah 7:14, 9:1-6; Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 1:18-24; Galatians 4:4-7
The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God commemorates the divine motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the bearer of hope, Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on January 1st, one week after Christmas.
The Feast of St. Basil - Orthodox Christian
The Feast of St. Basil is celebrated on New Year's Day in Greece and has special significance as Orthodox Christians throughout the world commemorate the memory of one of the greatest fathers of the Church, St. Basil. This day is dedicated to the commemoration of St. Basil the Great, father of Eastern monasticism. Because of his innovations and philosophy of monastic life, and especially his creation of the Lesser Rule and the Greater Rule, Basil is considered to be the Father of Monasticism in the Eastern Churches. He gave monasticism a theological content and transformed it into an intellectual movement from simply the popular and evangelical movement it had been before. Basil's monasteries had schools attached to them, preparing children for life in the monastery or for life as strong Christians "in the world" outside the monasteries. The Rule of St. Basil is still followed by members of religious communities in both the Eastern Catholic and the Orthodox churches.
http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/feasts/01-01.htm
Gantan-sai (New Years) - Shinto Shinto New Year festival observed with prayers for inner renewal. The Japanese welcome in the New Year with prayers for renewal of hearts, good health and prosperity. During this celebration, they wear their best clothes and visit shrines in large numbers. During the seven days of the holiday, people visit one another's homes to offer good wishes for the New Year.
3 January Vasant Panchami • Hindu
Vasant Panchami is a festival full of religious, seasonal and social significance and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with verve and new sense of optimism. This festival is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning. (Deepavali is dedicated to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and Navaratri Durga is dedicated primarily to Kali, goddess of strength, might and power.)
This celebration is held on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha. Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom, art and music and is believed to endow human beings with the powers of speech, knowledge and learning. One of the notable significances of Vasant Panchami is that children are taught their first words on this day as it is considered an auspicious day to begin learning how to read and write.
Yellow colour is given special importance on this day. On Vasant Panchami, Saraswati is dressed in yellow garments and worshipped (with Puja, Havan etc.). Men and women try to wear yellow clothes on this day. Sweetmeats of yellowish hues are exchanged with relations and friends. Click here to learn more.
5 January
Twelfth Night • Christian
Contrary to popular belief, Christmas is not the "first day of the Christmas." Instead, we might better describe them as the twelve days after Christmas. By ancient reckoning, days and nights were counted separately, and the important night was often the night before, not the night of, the celebration (hence modern traditions of Christmas Eve and All Hallow's Eve, or Halloween).
The 12 day count actually begins with the eve of December 25, the "first night." The day of December 26 is the "first day," the eve of December 26 the "second night," and so on. The famous Twelfth Night is the eve of Epiphany, and the twelfth day is Epiphany itself.
Twelfth Night is a holiday on January 5 that marks the 12th and final night of the Christmas season. Twelfth Night is the eve before the twelfth day of Christmas or the Epiphany celebration, which commemorates the adoration of the Magi before the infant Jesus.
Guru Gobindh Singh Birthday • Sikh
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Nanak (Sikh Guru), was born at Patna Sahib on December 22, 1666, (Poh Sudi Saptmi). His birthday generally falls in December or January or sometimes twice within a year as it is calculated according to Hindu Bikrami Calendar, which is based on the lunar calendar. According to the Nanakshahi Calendar, the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib falls annually on January 5. Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 C.E.) lived during an extremely dangerous time. His father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, had sacrificed his life to protect the freedom of worship by Hindus, who were being threatened with conversion or death by zealous Muslim rulers. Abduction of women and pillage of goods were rampant, but the people were too timid and terrorized to resist. In the midst of this political situation, Guru Gobind Singh gained great stature as both Saint and soldier: a leader of firm spiritual principles and intense devotion to God, and at the same time, fearless dedication to protecting all people from oppression and injustice through the practice of Kshatradharma.
In 1699, He dramatically initiated five men from the lower castes as His Five Beloveds, blessing them with great courage as well as nearness to God. They became models for the Khalsa, the Order of the Pure, which Guru Gobind Singh created to stand on the front line against injustice. The Khalsa were held to a very strict moral and spiritual discipline and under Guru Gobind Singh's courageous inspiration.
6 January
Epiphany • Christian
Feast of the Theophany • Orthodox Christian
Three Kings' Day • Puerto Rico & Dominican Republic
The Feast of Epiphany also called Theophany in the Eastern Churches on 6 January commemorates the coming of the Magi which reveals Christ's mission to the world. The entire season of Epiphany then emphasizes the way in which Christ revealed himself to the world as the Son of God, (Lk. 2:32; Mt. 17:1-6; Jn. 12:32).
Epiphany commemorates the coming of the Magi, who followed the star in search of the Christ child. The season emphasizes Christ's mission to and for the world. The light of God's love is revealed to all peoples in the person of Jesus Christ.
Epiphany, from the Greek word Epiphania, meaning "revelation" is based on the biblical story that tells of the Magi or Three Kings - Caspar, (or Kaspar or Gaspar) Melchior and Balthasar - who saw a bright star on the night Christ was born and followed it to Bethlehem. Where they found the Christ child and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Their journey would later give rise to the custom of gift giving at Christmas on the Feast of the Epiphany. Today, Epiphany goes by various names in different cultures, i.e., Little Christmas, Three Kings Day, or Twelfth Night, which remains the official end of the season's "Twelve Days of Christmas" counting from Christmas evening on 25 December to the Ephiphany on 6 January.
Epiphany - Christian
Liturgical Color (s): White
Type of Holiday: Solemnity, Holy Day of Obligation
Time of Year: 6 January
Duration: One Day (or an entire octave in older custom)
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles; Visit of the Magi (West); Christ's baptism (East)
Alternate Names: Theophany, Holy Lights, King's Feast
Scriptural References: Matthew 2:1-12; Matthew 3:13-17
Epiphany Hymn of St. Ambrose Most High God!
Thou that enkindlest
the fires of the shining stars!
O Jesus!
Thou that art peace and life and light and truth,
hear and grant our prayers.
This present day has been made holy
by thy mystic baptism,
whereby thou didst sanctify
those waters of the Jordan,
which of old were thrice turned back.
It is holy by the star shining in the heavens,
whereby thou didst announce
thy Virginal Mother's delivery
and didst, on the same day,
lead the Magi to adore thee in thy crib.
It is holy too,
by thy changing the water
of the pitchers into wine;
which the steward of the feast,
knowing that he had not so filled them,
drew forth for the guests.
Glory be to thee, O Lord Jesus,
that didst appear on this Day!
And to the Father and to the Holy Spirit,
for everlasting ages. Amen.
Hymn of St. Ambrose (338-397)
Epiphany Prayer (Adapted New Saint Joseph Sunday Missal)
Let us pray together
We are ever grateful for the glory revealed this day in each of us one to and for another
God of light, our unchanging God,
today you reveal to people of faith
the resplendent fact of the Word made flesh.
Your light is strong,
Your love is near;
draw us beyond the limits
which this world imposes,
to the life where Your Spirit
makes all life complete.
We ask this in the name of Christ and all that is Holy.
May it be so - Amen.
7 - 16 January
The Feast of Muharram • Islam
The Muslim Feast of Muharram which opens the Muslim year of holy days, bears the name of one of Allah's four sacred months mentioned in the Holy Qur'aan. On the 10th day, Muslims observe the fast of Ashura.
10 January
Ashura • Islam
'Ashura is a religious observance marked every year by Muslims. The word 'ashura literally means "10th," as it is on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. 'Ashura is an ancient observance that is now recognized for different reasons and in different ways among Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. 11 January The Baptism of Jesus • Christian The commemoration of Baptism of Jesus celebrates and remembers Jesus' baptism by John the Baptizer at the beginning of his public ministry. Jesus' true identity as Messiah was revealed by the Holy Spirit's descent upon him in the form of a dove, and God's testimony concerning him, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," (Matt. 3.17).
http://www.textweek.com/yearb/baptismb.htm
12 January
Lohri • Sikh
Lohri marks the culmination of winter, and is celebrated on the 13th day of January in the month of Paush or Magh, a day before Makar Sankranti. For Punjabis, this is more than just a festival, it is also an example of a way of life. Lohri celebrates fertility and the spark of life. People gather round the bonfires, throw sweets, puffed rice and popcorn into the flames, sing popular songs and exchange greetings.
In the North Makar Sankranti is called Lohri. Lohri is the time after which the biting cold of the winters begins to taper off.
13 January
Maghi • Sikh
Significance
The day of Maghi is observed to honour the heroic fight of the Chali Mukte, or the Forty Liberated Ones, who sacrificed their own lives defending an attack by the imperial army marching in pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh. The action took place near a pool of water, Khidrane di Dhab, on 29 December 1705.
Celebration
Sikhs celebrate the Maghi with an end to end recital of the holy Guru Granth Sahib and religious rituals in all the Sikh Gurudwaras. On the eve of Maghi falls the common Indian festival called the Lohri when bonfires are lighted in Hindu homes and alms are also distributed. The largest assembly, however, takes place at Muktsar (Punjab) where big fairs are organized and pilgrims take a holy dip in the sacred waters of sarovar and also visit several shrines. A mahala or big march of pilgrims from the main shrine to gurdwara Tibbi Sahib, sacred to Guru Gobind Singh, concludes the three-day celebration.
http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/
14 January
Makar Sankranti • Hindu What is Makar Sankranti? Makara Sankranti (also apelled Makar Sakranti) is a mid-winter Hindu festival of India and Nepal. The festival is celebrated to mark the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (or the beginning of Uttarayana). The famous Kumbh Mela is also held on Makar Sankranti every 12 years. Hindus gather in large numbers to take a holy dip at Ganga Sagar on this day every year.
15 January - 23 February
A Winter Feast for the Soul
This annual forty-day worldwide period of spiritual practice brings people of all faiths together in prayer and meditation for personal and planetary peace.
The inspiration for this work came out of a three-line poem by Rumi:
What nine months does for the embryo,
Forty early mornings
Will do for your growing awareness.
Based on the success of the first Winter Feast in Idaho (2008), the interest that it generated across the globe, and the need for peace efforts at this time in our history, the founders decided to extend the outreach worldwide. To learn more, visit the Winter Feast of the Soul website and watch their YouTube video.
18 January
World Religion Day • Baha'i
On this day we remember that all religions arise from the One Source and are different paths to that One who is known by various names. It is an opportunity to acknowledge that the journey and beliefs of those among us are as real and meaningful as ours are to us and finding ways to breathe, believe and become -- together. http://www.bahai.net/
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity • Christian
The theme for this year is: "........that they become one in your hand"
(Ezekiel 37:17)
Resources:
26 January - 9 February Chinese New Year 2009
Also known as Lunar New Year, this festival celebrates the 2009 Year of the Ox, 4706-4707 in the Chinese calendar. Traditional mythical dragons lead colorful processions; and family reunions honor the ancestors, weaving together past and present. The Chinese New Year is celebrated as the symbol of spring's celebration. In fact in China the Chinese New Year is still called the Spring festival. It is celebrated after the fall harvest and before the spring planting season. The date of the Chinese New Year is always changing and is dependant on the Chinese calendar. Emperor Huangdi in the year 2637 B.C.E invented the Chinese calendar.
http://www.hkfastfacts.com/Chinese%20Festivals/chinese_new_year.htm
27 January
Mahayana Buddhist New Year
In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Lao, the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the new year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. As for example, Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later. In Tibet, Losar is the most important holiday in Tibet, marking the Tibetan New Year.
Observed with diverse ceremonies -- such as yak-butter sculpting in Tibet -- the New Year in Mahayana countries is a time of cleansing from sins of the past year and resolving to make a fresh start.
http://www.newyearfestival.com/buddhist-new-year.html
1 February
Four Chaplains Sunday • Interfaith
Four Chaplains Sunday is an Interfaith Commemoration of the event in World War II when four Chaplians of Jewish and Christian traditions (Catholic and Protestant) gave their life jackets to others as a troop ship sank in the Atlantic.
http://www.fourchaplains.org/story.html
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