Diwali-Festival of Lights 2010

We have long since agreed that our children would know who Santa Claus was, but that our family would not celebrate the tradition of the plump, jolly, old man visiting our home and bearing gifts to the "good" little boys and girls of the world.  Often people have asked us why and have a hard time understanding our decision.  It's not that we think Santa is "bad" or satanic.  On the contrary.  One main reason for our decision is because of the Hindu festival being celebrated today.

Diwali-the Festival of Lights.  Hindu families decorate their homes with lights, burn candles outside their doors, set off fireworks, buy tons of presents and deliver them to family and friends.  There are no restrictions on how, when or where fireworks can be let off and, therefore, have been going off for the last week-nonstop-in places you would never think would be safe!  And aren't!  17 story buildings do not always provide the most "open" space for shooting crackers.  But hey!  What to do?   Tonight, families will perform, out of duty, pujas (rituals of worship chants that include leaves, fruit, incense, rice, flowers, money and tikka powder) in front of their idols for health and wealth for the year until next Diwali.  It was been explained to us before that they light their homes brightly and in a beautiful manner so that when their home is visited by the goddess Lakshmi, she will be pleased and will bless them for their "good" deeds.  It will be easier to find their home if lit bright and beautiful!  One friend told us, "It's just like when Santa Claus visits your home to give you gifts for being good".

So just like many people in the States celebrate Christmas only for Santa Claus and the warm cozy comforts of the holiday, so most Hindus celebrate Diwali only for the secular experience and the false satisfaction of appeasing the gods for their personal benefit.  Therefore, our prayer during this winter season in India, the time of Diwali and ending after Christmas, is that HIS light, the light that the darkness did not like nor would accept, would so shine!  Misconceptions and misunderstandings cleared!  Truth revealed!  That what our family, friends, and neighbors see in us would be something different than they have ever seen before.  And through us, the spotlight would be on HIM!  The Savior, Author, Perfecter, and Light of the World!