Holiday Message from the Grand Master

Dear Brethren and Ladies,

First and foremost, I hope and pray that you and your loved ones are in good health and looking forward to many wonderful gatherings as the Holiday Season approaches. 

We are truly blessed this particular year on the 25th Day of December, as the miraculous light of the Judeo-Christian Faiths are woven together on the very same day. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights resonates around the heroic struggle for freedom by the Maccabees, whereby the menorah with only one single day’s worth of oil burned brightly, filling the Temple with light for eight long days. 

Likewise, Christmas acclaims the Birth of the Christ Child, the Light of the World and Prince of Peace. Both Hanukkah and Christmas share this message of light with rejoicing, song, good food, love and the giving of gifts and glad tidings to each other. 

This Holiday Season, it my hope and message that you will take the teachings of Hanukkah and Christmas to heart and reflect upon the insightful and perceptive words found in the short poem titled “A Friend’s Greeting” by the British American, Edgar A. Guest known affectionately as the “Peoples Poet,”  

I'd like to be the sort of friend

     that you have been to me;

I'd like to be the help that you've been

     always glad to be;

I'd like to mean as much to you

     each minute of the day

As you have meant, old friend of mine,

     to me along the way.

I'd like to do the big things

     and the splendid things for you,

To brush the gray out of your skies

     and leave them only blue;

I'd like to say the kindly things

     that I so oft have heard,

And feel that I could rouse your soul

     the way that mine you've stirred.

I'd like to give back the joy

     that you have given me,

Yet that were wishing you a need

     I hope will never be;

I'd like to make you feel

     as rich as I, who travel on

Undaunted in the darkest hours

     with you to lean upon.

I'm wishing at this Christmas time

     that I could but repay

A portion of the gladness

     that you've strewn along the way;

And could I have one wish this year,

     this only would it be:

I'd like to be the sort of friend

     that you have been to me.

In similar fashion, I ask that you dwell upon the kind yet impassioned words found in the poem “Chanukah Dreams”, authored by Judith Ish-Kishor, the Bostonian poet and author of Children’s Literature for Jewish-American youth:

Chanukah I think most dear

Of the feasts of all the year.

I could sit and watch all night

Every twinkling baby light.

Father lights the first one – green;

Hope it always seems to mean;

Hope and Strength to glow anew

In the heart of every Jew.

Jacob lights the blue for Truth.

Pink for Love is lit by Ruth.

Then the white one falls to me,

White that shines for Purity.

How the story of those days

Fills my wondering heart with praise!

And in every flame one sees

The heroic Maccabees.

As members of this dear brotherhood we yearn to find more light, by learning through the precepts and examples found in the Holy Scriptures on how to be good men and Masons. It is this common purpose by which we are all held together, one fraternity, one family, under God. Being an integral part of the Masonic family ensures that we will take care of ourselves by helping those less fortunate than us. 

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not also recognize and salute all our Veterans and active members of the Armed Forces for their devotion to our Country. Especially, those Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who in the performance of their duties serve in far away places, away from their loved ones, in an effort to keep us all safe and protected.

May each of you and your family members have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Healthy New Year.

With fraternal love,

Steven Adam Rubin, Grand Master

Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of New York