December is a month rich in tradition and celebration, reflected in the beautiful transformation of towns and homes adorned with festive decorations to honor Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ.
Yet, this spirit of celebration is not unique to Christianity; December also brings forth a mosaic of cultural and religious observances worldwide, inviting us to reflect on our ancestors' legacies.
Buddhists observe Bodhi Day in honor of Mahatma Buddha's enlightenment, adorning their homes with lights and Buddha statues. The Jewish community lights candles over eight nights to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. African American communities mark Kwanzaa for seven days, focusing on principles like unity, self-determination, and faith.
For Sikhs, December is a solemn time of remembrance and sacrifice. While November celebrates Guru Nanak's birth with joy, festive decorations and community events, December reflects on the profound sacrifices made by Sikh Gurus. Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Ninth Guru, met a martyr's fate opposing the forced conversion of Hindus under Emperor Aurangzeb, valiantly defending religious freedom.
Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru, commemorated his father's sacrifice in the Dasam Granth, extolling his protection of the Hindu faith and his ultimate sacrifice for righteousness, by writing:
"He (Guru Tegh Bahadur) protected the forehead mark and sacred thread (of the Hindus) which is a great event in this age of Kaliyuga. For the sake of saints, he laid down his head without even a sign of pain. For the sake of Dharma, he sacrificed himself. He laid down his head but not his creed."
Tragically, this month also recalls the sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh's family, including his four sons, aged 18, 14, 9 and 6, and his mother. Elder sons attained martyrdom along with 40 other Sikhs while fighting coalition forces of the Mughals and of Hindu hill chiefs, known as the Battle of Chamkaur. Interestingly, this battle was fought by 40 Sikhs against an army of 1 million, probably the world's most unbalanced war. While younger sons were imprisoned along with their grandmother and faced brutal trials and martyrdom rather than renouncing their faith.
At that moment, Guru Gobind Singh's brave message, "So what, if I have sacrificed my four sons. Still thousands of my sons are still alive," infused Chardi Kala in Sikhs. Chardi Kala means always remaining in a positive, buoyant, and optimistic attitude with a blissful mental state.
This steadfastness was a catalyst that eventually led to the end of centuries of Mughal rule, paving the way for religious liberty in the Indian sub-continent.
The Sikh community honors these sacrifices with religious gatherings and remembrances at Gurdwaras worldwide, paying tribute to their ancestors' courage and resolve. These observances serve as a poignant reminder of our heritage and the enduring spirit of resilience and faith.
As we celebrate and reflect, let's remember that traditions are the steps we take from the past into the future.
They are the hind steps that propel us forward, giving us the momentum to advance into the new year. With each tradition we honor, we step closer to a brighter, more united future. Here's to carrying the spirit of December's rich traditions into a hopeful and harmonious New Year 2024.
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