HumanLight

HumanLight is a secular holiday focusing on reason, compassion, and humanity, celebrated annually on December 23. This day offers humanists, atheists, and freethinkers a dedicated time to gather and reflect on positive human values during the traditional winter holiday season.

History of HumanLight

The holiday was established relatively recently, having been founded in 2001 by the New Jersey Humanist Network. Dr. Patrick Colucci, a leader within the organization, played a central role in creating the concept. The founders wanted to provide a specific date for the secular community to celebrate the winter solstice season. They chose December 23 to place it within the peak of the holiday season while maintaining a distinct identity separate from religious observances like Christmas or Hanukkah. ¹

Since its inaugural celebration in Verona, New Jersey, the observance has grown significantly. Major organizations like the American Humanist Association soon endorsed the holiday, helping it spread across the United States and eventually to other countries. The central metaphor of the holiday is the “light” of human reason and the positive light people can bring to the world through their actions, rather than light derived from supernatural sources or ancient miracles.

Why is HumanLight important?

This observance provides a necessary sense of belonging for the non-religious community during a time of year heavily dominated by religious traditions. It validates the secular worldview by demonstrating that winter involves universal themes of togetherness and reflection that apply to everyone, regardless of faith. By setting aside a specific day, secular individuals can participate in the seasonal festivities without feeling like outsiders or feeling pressured to adopt rituals that do not align with their beliefs.

The holiday explicitly champions the values of reason, compassion, and hope. It shifts the focus from ancient traditions to the future of humanity and the capability of people to solve problems. This focus encourages participants to take responsibility for the world around them. It serves as a reminder that human beings possess the tools necessary to build a better, more ethical society through scientific inquiry and empathy.

• It reinforces the value of using reason to solve problems.
• The day unites the secular community in celebration.
• People focus on building a positive future for humanity.
• It highlights the importance of compassion in daily life.
• Families create new traditions based on shared human values.

How to Celebrate HumanLight

Celebrations are generally flexible and can be adapted to fit individual or community preferences, as there are no rigid dogmas attached to the day. A common practice involves lighting three candles, which represent the three core pillars of the holiday: Reason, Compassion, and Hope. Many families or local humanist groups organize potluck dinners or gatherings where people discuss their thoughts on the past year and their aspirations for the future.

Charitable acts are also a central part of the observance. Since the holiday emphasizes human agency in improving the world, many people choose this day to volunteer at shelters, donate to food banks, or support human rights organizations. Others might spend the evening reading poetry, listening to music, or engaging in discussions about science and philosophy. The goal is to create a warm, welcoming environment that celebrates human potential.

• Light three candles representing reason, compassion, and hope.
• Host a dinner party for friends and family members.
• Volunteer time to help those in need in your community.
• Read science-based books or secular philosophy together.
• Make a donation to a charity that supports human rights.

HumanLight Dates Table

1. https://humanlight.org/[↩]