December is a time of celebration, and there are many special holidays that fall within the month. Some of these include Christmas, Hanukkah, and St. Stephen’s Day, as well as the National Cookie Day. But there are also plenty of other reasons to celebrate this month! Read on to discover more about some of the best holidays in December.
Christmas
The secular world follows the Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, which places Christmas in its normal December 24-25 slot. However, many Orthodox churches still use the older Julian calendar, established by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar in 46 B.C., which trails the Gregorian calendar by 13 days. Therefore, Dec. 25 falls on a Saturday in the rest of the world, while Dec. 26 is a Friday and Christmas Day follows on January 7.
Many traditions associated with Christmas celebrate a blend of pagan, Christian, and secular themes. Modern celebrations involve gift giving, nativity plays, the exchange of Christmas cards, church services, and various Christmas decorations. Christmas is celebrated by many different religions, but the main theme is the birth of Jesus Christ.
In some countries, gifts appear in the stockings of children. In others, gifts are hidden in shoes or pillowcases. In the United States, gifts are often delivered by Santa Claus. In other countries, Santa is represented as a “Winter Father,” or the baby Jesus. The three wise men’s caravan is also believed to deliver gifts to children. In many European countries, Santa is accompanied by a sidekick known as Krampus.
The celebration of Christmas started many years before the birth of Christ, in fact, it dates back to the pre-Christian winter festivals of Samhain and Enoch. The first celebrations of Christmas were at this time called “Saturnalia.” In the seventh century, the celebration of the equinox took on a more child-centered form.
While December is the traditional Christmas month, it has also been celebrated as Hanukkah, a Jewish festival that begins on the eve of Kislev 25, the Jewish calendar month that corresponds with December. The holiday was originally celebrated on the night before the Jewish Temple’s re-dedication. The Christmas date was chosen to commemorate Jesus’ birth and the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem.
St. Stephen’s Day
The first day of December is celebrated in Ireland as St. Stephen’s Day. The holiday is a time for shopping, sightseeing and festivities. This popular holiday has many traditions, but the main focus is on the celebration of the birth of St. Stephen. Many bakeries and restaurants offer special treats for the occasion.
December’s other celebrations include World AIDS Day, which honors the people who died of AIDS and raises awareness for the disease. This month also celebrates the giving spirit and new beginnings. Many people make resolutions to lead more meaningful lives. For example, they might resolve to do more good work or help others.
Bodhi Day
Bodhi Day in December is a time for Buddhism to celebrate the enlightenment of Buddha. The day is also an opportunity to replant the seeds of enlightenment. In the western world, Bodhi Day is celebrated on December 8, but many other places observe the day on a different date. The next lunar Bodhi Day is January 10, 2022. Families can visit a temple on this day to participate in chanting and offer a quiet meal of rice and milk, which is similar to the first meal Buddha offered himself after he gained enlightenment. Some families also decorate a bodhi tree for the day. The celebrations emphasize kindness, meditation, and study of the Dharma.
Bodhi Day is celebrated on December 8 on the Gregorian calendar in Japan. In the 19th century, Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar. As a result, many traditional Buddhist holy days were given fixed dates. The Buddha’s birthday always falls on April 8, and Bodhi Day falls on December 8. However, this is inconsistent with the Chinese lunar calendar. As a result, some Mahayana Buddhists outside Asia are now adopting the December 8 date.
During this time, Buddhists should meditate on the meaning of enlightenment and place reminders around their homes. Lighting candles is also traditional to recognize the day. Candles are also lit for 30 days following the day. Another tradition is to set up a lighted star that represents the rising of Venus. If you can’t attend a temple on this day, you can host a Bodhi Day event in your own home.
Bodhi Day in December is also celebrated internationally. Many Buddhists decorate their homes with a Bodhi tree. Others use multi-colored lights and reflective ornaments, while others place ornaments representing the Three Jewels – Buddha, Dharma, and Buddha. Some people also visit a stupa to pay respect to the Buddha. Bodhi Day is a time to reflect on Buddhism and appreciate its relevance in today’s world.
