Calendar of Religious Holidays

December 2010

2-9

Hanukkah
(Jewish)

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah commemorates the 164 B.C.E. Maccabean recapture and rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. During this celebration, special readings and songs that focus on liberty and freedom are performed, and gifts are often given. Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, and on each night a candle from the Menorah is lit to represent the miracle of the eternal flame. Tradition has it that there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the flame in the Temple for one day, but the oil miraculously burned for eight days, the time it took to prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.

6

Saint Nicholas Day
(Christianity)

On this day, Christians celebrate Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. Saint Nicholas was known for his kindness and generosity. He is also recognized for his secret gift-giving, as when he discreetly provided the dowry for three poor farmer's daughters to save them from destitution. For many, this day is celebrated by giving gifts. The American Santa Claus is derived from the Dutch Sinterklaas, another name for Saint Nicholas.

7

Hijra, New Year
(Islam)

Al-Hijra is the first day of the new year in the Islamic calendar. It is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the month that Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina.

8

Bodhi Day, Rohatsu
(Buddhism)

This day marks the time when Prince Siddhartha Gautama, a spiritual teacher and founder of Buddhism, positioned himself under the Pipul tree and vowed to remain there until he attained supreme enlightenment. Buddhist traditions vary as to what Siddhartha's experience was while meditating under the tree, but all agree that upon the rising of the morning star, he had experienced enlightenment and attained Nirvana: a state of being free from suffering and broken from the cycle of rebirth.

8

Immaculate Conception
(Catholic Christianity)

The Immaculate Conception celebrates the belief that the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from the taint of original sin all of her life. Catholics observe this as a day of obligation and church attendance is required.

12

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
(Catholic Christianity)

In December of 1531, Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin saw visions of the Virgin Mary on the hill of Tepeyak near Mexico City. On December 12, Mary instructed him to ask church officials to build a basilica in her honor in Mexico City. When Juan Diego asked for a sign, she placed roses in a blanket that he carried with him on his journey to the city. Upon arrival, he unrolled the blanket to find an image of Mary imprinted on the cloth. The Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe was built in her honor, and thousands of Catholics make pilgrimages there every year. This day is celebrated with festivals, dances and special masses.

16

Ashura
(Islam)

Ashura is the anniversary of the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. Taking place on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, Ashura is observed with fasting, mourning, and decorating replicas of Husayn's tomb.

16-25

Posadas Navidenas
(Christianity)

In Hispanic Christian tradition, Posadas are the celebrations that happen during the nine days before the "Noche Buena" or "Holy Night" of December 24th. These Posadas are an enactment of Joseph and the Virgin Mary looking for lodging on their pilgrimage to Bethlehem. In some practices, families in a neighborhood will take turns hosting, or playing the part of innkeeper, while others have a door-to-door procession with candles and symbolic elements.

17

10th Tevet (Judiasm)

The 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tevet is a Jewish fast day that reflects upon Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia's siege of Jerusalem 2,500 years ago. This event ultimately led to the destruction of the First Temple, Solomon's Temple, and Babylonia's conquest of Israel's Kingdom of Judah.
 

21

Yule
(Christianity, Pagan)

Yule marks the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, and celebrates the rebirth of the sun in the Norse pagan tradition. The modern day, western Yule festival contains a large blend of celebrations, leading back to multiple cultures and religious practices. Christians often celebrate this as the birth of light through Jesus. Practices include decorating a fir or spruce tree, burning a Yule log, hanging mistletoe and holly branches and giving gifts.

25

Christmas
(Christianity)

Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The actual date of Jesus' birth is unknown, but December 25th was made popular by Pope Liberius of Rome in 354 A.D. Although this day is celebrated by Christians throughout the world, traditions and practices vary within different cultures and communities. The day is often celebrated in prayer and song at church services, and gifts are often given to represent the gifts Jesus received from the three kings.

25

Feast of the Nativity
(Orthodox Christianity)

The Feast of the Nativity is the Orthodox Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is also the break of a 40-day fast, in which participants purify both body and soul in preparation for Christ's birth.

26

Feast of the Holy Family
(Catholic Christianity)

This day celebrates the family unit, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and is recognized with special prayer. The moveable feast is usually celebrated the Sunday after Christmas, or if Christmas is on a Sunday, December 30th.

26

Death of Prophet Zarathushtra (English: Zoroaster)
(Zoroastrianism)

This day commemorates the death of Zoroaster, an Iranian prophet and philosopher that founded Zoroastrianism. Zoroaster believed that the purpose of humankind was to always live truthfully, and to pursue constructive thoughts and deeds. Iranian followers of Zoroastrianism observe this day on December 26th, often through mourning and prayer. Parsi followers observe Zoroaster's death in May.

28

Holy Innocents
(Christianity)

Holy Innocents is the Christian day of solemn reflection, recognizing the male children of Bethlehem who were killed by Herod the Great in his attempt to eliminate the infant Jesus, whom he deemed as a threat to the throne.

31

Watch Night
(Christianity)

Watch Night traditionally began with the Moravians, a small Christian denomination from what is the present-day Czech Republic, in the early 1700s. Participants attend special church services to reflect upon and give thanks for the previous year, and pray for the future. Watch Night became a significant event for African-American Christian communities after the celebration of 1862, the evening before the Emancipation Proclamation went into affect and abolished slavery.