Happy December Holidays

 Holidays celebrated in December

December, the chilling winter month, is known for its festive parties and celebrations. Some of these events are steeped in solemn tradition, while others focus on lighthearted merriment. Each holiday offers a unique perspective on various cultures, histories, and religions.

Since 1900, the first night of Hanukkah and Christmas fell on December 25 four times.

They Commemorate Different Historical Moments.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine. As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established pagan celebrations. The date was not widely accepted in the Eastern Empire, where January 6 had been favored, for another half-century, and Christmas did not become a major Christian festival until the 9th century.

Hanukkah became a holiday on the Jewish calendar in 139 BCE, when the miracle of the oil occurred, and the Jews celebrated. The rabbis then proclaimed that these eight days should become an annual holiday1. Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew, and the holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces. With the tiny supply of ritually pure oil that they found in the temple, they lit the menorah — and it stayed lit for eight days

Christmas falls every year on December 25 of the solar calendar. 

Hanukkah also falls on the 25th of the month — but of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which is determined by the lunar calendar. As a result, Hanukkah falls on a different date each year on the secular calendar.

They’re Celebrated Differently:

Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting candles, giving gifts and eating fried foods. Going to synagogue is not actually an important part of Hanukkah. There are special blessings incorporated into regular services during the days of Hanukkah, but there is no special Hanukkah service. 

Christmas celebrations include going to Christmas Mass, enjoying a hearty dinner, and opening presents left under a Christmas tree.

St. Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas Day is a popular holiday celebrated in several European nations during the month of December. It commemorates the life of St. Nicholas of Myra, who inspired the figure of Santa Claus and Father Christmas. Known for his selflessness and kindness towards children and those less fortunate, he gave away all of his wealth to help others. The holiday falls on December 6th, the day he passed away in 343 A.D. Festivities including parades, feasting, exchanging gifts, and participating in festivals are common ways to honor this beloved saint.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Virgin of Guadalupe is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic faith, and it is associated with a supposed appearance by her and a highly revered image that resides in the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa, derived from the Swahili phrase “First Fruits,” is rooted in traditional African harvest celebrations and embodies values such as family ties and togetherness. This meaningful holiday takes place from December 26 to January 1, where countless African Americans don unique attire, adorn their homes with produce, and illuminate a kinara candle holder.

Three Kings Day

The final day of the Twelve Days of Christmas is known as the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. It marks the day when the three wise men first laid eyes on baby Jesus and presented him with gifts. In Spain, this day is also celebrated as a second Christmas, with children receiving presents from the three kings. In Puerto Rico, it is customary for children to leave a box with hay under their beds in hopes that the kings will bring them good presents. Meanwhile, in France, a delectable King cake is baked and traditionally contains a hidden coin, jewel, or toy inside.

Epiphany holiday

Theophany, also known as Denha, Little Christmas, or Three Kings' Day, is a Christian holiday that commemorates the moment when God revealed himself in human form as Jesus Christ.

Winter Solstice

On December 21, the Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year. Across the globe, people come together to commemorate this event with various festivals and celebrations. In ancient times, bonfires and candles were lit as a way to welcome back the sun during this dark time of year.

St. Lucia Day

In celebration of this third-century martyr on December 13th, numerous girls in Sweden don long white dresses adorned with red belts and a crown of lit candles atop their heads. They wake their families up by singing traditional songs and serving them coffee along with twisted saffron buns known as "Lucia cats."

New Year

On the seventh day of Christmastide, which falls on 31 December in the Gregorian calendar, people around the world celebrate New Year's Eve. This is a time for social gatherings where friends and family come together to eat, drink, dance, and watch or set off fireworks to welcome the new year. In Ecuador, it is a tradition to dress up a straw man with old clothes and make a list of all their faults. At midnight, they burn the straw man as a symbolic way to let go of their shortcomings and start fresh in the new year.

Ōmisoka

New Year’s Eve, is considered the second-most important day in Japanese tradition as it is the final day of the old year and the eve of New Year’s Day, the most important day of the year. Families gather on Ōmisoka for one last time in the old year to have a bowl of toshikoshi-soba or toshikoshi-udon, a tradition based on eating the long noodles to cross over from one year to the next.

Chinese New Year

Children dress in new clothes to celebrate and people carry lanterns and join in a huge parade led by a silk dragon, the Chinese symbol of strength. According to legend, the dragon hibernates most of the year, so people throw firecrackers to keep the dragon awake.

Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting during daylight hours), and Muslims usually give zakat (charity) on the occasion which begins after the new moon sighting for the beginning of the month of Shawal.

Happy Holidays!