December and Sikhs - is it Christmas or something more?

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December is usually a lead up to Christmas which is a celebration of the birth of Christ (without going into the debate of whether Jesus Christ was born on the 25th of December). Now the majourity of people will still celebrate Christmas as a cultural reason rather then religious. People will spend time swapping presents, eating too much, meeting up with family/friends and watching TV shows only on TV at this time of year. 

Sikhs take this time of year to remember the sacrifices made by our brothers - the Sahibzadey.

The four Sahibzadey, Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Jujhar Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh, Baba Fateh Singh, were sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and gave up their lives at the ages of 17, 15, 9 and 7 for justice and truth.






21st December

Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh were educated and trained as saint-soliders. They both traveled with Guru Gobind Singh Ji to the city of Chamkaur where the fourty Sikhs were attacked by thousands of Mughal forces. In the battle that followed, both Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh died bravely on the battlefield.

26 December

Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh were captured along with their Grandmother, Mata Gujri Ji in the city of Sirhind. They were imprisoned overnight in an open tower with no food or water. In the following days, the youunger Sahibzadey were taken to the governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan, and he offered them their lives, freedom and wealth if they converted to Islam. The Sahibzadey refused and were bricked alive.


Mata Gujri Ji was left locked in the open tower were she was martyred.

So this time of year for Sikhs is a time of rememberance for the Sikhs. We remember that standing up for truth, justice and freedom is more important than our lives and that our young brothers, our grandmother and many other Sikhs gave up their lives so that we can be here today. They did not falter when challenged and did not lose their faith.

As a Sikh we believe that the whole human race is our family - so if we are to give presents, why are we choosing who to give presents to and more importantly, why not give presents to those who are not as well off as we are. Why are we forgetting our own history and planning Christmas parties, big dinners and shopping.

Lets not get carried away in the Chritmas tradition of over spending, over eating and talking too much. Look at the meaning of the Sahibzadey names Ajit - Unconquerable, Jujhar - Tenacious (not readily giving up), Zorawar - Brave, Fateh - Victorious. Sikhs should live in this way. We should not falter and lose our faith either.

Sahibzadey, An Animated Movie ----- Trailer

Forgive me if I have said anything wrong......