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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: calgal who wrote (513394)	12/20/2003 1:17:30 AM
From: calgal	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Bush gives holiday greetings By Richard Tomkins UPI White House Correspondent WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush has left no bases untouched this holiday season, sending personal greetings and best wishes Friday to Christians, Jews and African-Americans alike. "I send greetings to those observing Kwanzaa," he said in one greeting. "Celebrated by millions across the world, Kwanzaa honors the history and heritage of Africa." In another statement he noted Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights which celebrates "the triumph of Jews against tyranny and oppression more than two millennia ago." Christmas, he said in a third release, commemorates "all the blessings that fill our lives, beginning with the greatest blessing that came on a holy night in Bethlehem" -- the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, whom millions around the world worship as the Messiah foretold in the Bible and the son of God. The White House released the messages within minutes of each other. In a way it's appropriate. The United States today is more religiously diverse than ever and the president is meant to be the president of all citizens. But no matter which of his greeting one reads, a common thread runs through all: The holiday season celebrated in December signifies a commitment to hope, the strength of faith and compassion toward fellow human beings. Of the three holidays, Kwanzaa is the newest. It dates to 1966, the brainchild of Maulana Ron Karenga, a black activist and university professor in California. The 7-day festival -- each is linked to a principle, such as Umoja, or unity -- took its name from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," or first fruits, a reference to harvest festivals in Africa. It was created to reaffirm the African roots of black Americans and promote a feeling of togetherness and common culture. It's celebrated Dec. 26-Jan. 1. Hanukkah dates back more than 2,300 years ago and commemorates the driving out of the Syrians from Israel and the reclaiming of the sacred Temple in Jerusalem by a group of faithful known as the Maccabees. It is celebrated by Jews the world over between the end of November and the end of December. Christmas celebrates the birth of the Jesus Christ. No matter that it is considered unlikely that Dec. 25 was Jesus' actual birth date. The promise, hope and faith the infant in the manger symbolizes transcends any early Christian attempt to one-up the Roman's pagan winter solstice holiday of Saturnia. "This holiday season, as we share in the spirit of giving and enjoying familiar Christmas traditions, we give thanks for the wonder of God's love and rededicate ourselves to helping those in need," Bush said. "During this joyous time of the year, Americans renew our commitment to hope, understanding, and the great promise of our nation," he added in his Kwanzaa greeting. "In honoring the traditions of Africa, Kwanzaa strengthens the ties that bind individuals in communities across our country and around the world." And in ending his Hanukkah greeting, he summed up the common threat again. "May the joy of Hanukkah and the peace and goodwill of the season fill our hearts and inspire us to lead lives of compassion."