Law Enforcement Officers from three of the world's largest religions celebrate different ways during the month of December.
Christians, Jews, and Muslims have specific ceremonies and dates. Regardless of an officers faith tradition we can all take time out to spend some time with our family and friends. Many officers will have to work on the holiday and miss the kids opening presents or participating in other rituals.
But as always the officer can make it up to the family as they celebrate in their own way on an alternative day or at a different meal.
Christians celebrate Christmas, Jews Hanukkah, and Muslims Hajj.
Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that marks and honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth Modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, church celebrations, and the display of various decorations - including the Christmas tree, lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes, holly, and Santa Claus Christmas is celebrated throughout the Christian population, but is also celebrated by many non-Christians as a secular, cultural festival.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a special candelabrum, the Menorah one light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night.
The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. It is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. It is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah. The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
With all of the festivities going one there are sure to be some officers without a family. This year would be a great time to invite the officer to share a meal and the holiday with your family.
Holidays are especially hard for officers who have lost a family member and they are also very difficult for officers of entire departments if this is the first holiday season since a line-of-duty death in the department. Be sure to remember the slain officer's family this year. It is a most difficult time. Just sending a card, making a phone call, or dropping by the house can mean so much to them. It is important to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to do it.
If you know of a family who is especially needy this holiday take some groceries by and maybe a few gifts for the children. This is a great way to promote community policing.
Every community has homeless or people down on their luck. As an officer be sure to avail yourself of the locations of Christmas meals at shelters or churches. Perhaps write them down and make copies and hand out to those less fortunate. We are all God's children.
If you are working on the holiday make sure to go out of your way to extend seasons greetings. You are the department’s representative on the streets of your community. Sure you have a job to do, but remember to be professional and caring.
As you do to the least of these my brethren you do to me - JESUS
Happy Holidays.
