The Beauty of December
December is filled with wonderful holidays and traditions with most dating back a long time ago. One such holiday honors the birth of Saint Nicholas on December 6th, the saint who serves as a role model for giving and is also known as Santa Claus. Rohatsu also known as Bodhi Day is celebrated on the 8th. It’s considered a historical day in which Buddha vowed to sit under the Bodhi tree until he reached spiritual enlightenment. It’s celebrated through meditation and is embraced similarly to how Christians celebrate Christmas to honor Jesus. Another sacred event occurred on this day known as the day of Immaculate Conception which is revered by Catholics in honor of Jesus’s mother Mary.
During several weeks in December, the festival of lights (Karthigai Deepam) is one of the most beautiful traditions celebrated throughout South India. The cheerful and vibrant festival aims to welcome the positive things and eradicate the negativity and the evils. The ceremony starts by lighting a huge fire on the top of the hill. This is considered to be a sacred activity as many people gather to witness this. Temples and households are decorated with clay lamps and diyas. I love the significant role lights play in various traditions and cultures. I remember visiting my late husband’s family in Sweden during the wintery month of December. There were lights in most windows illuminating the way - breathtaking against the often snowy streets and rooftops.
In Judaism, Hanukkah is celebrated this year from November 28th to the 10th. It’s known as the Festival of Lights and is observed for eight days and nights. Candles are lit each night on a menorah, special songs are sung, special prayers are recited, food is eaten, and gifts are given. It’s a very sacred time for Jewish people. On the 10th, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is primarily a Catholic holiday celebrated by Mexicans and Americans of Mexican descent that honors the reported appearance of the virgin Mother Mary in Mexico City. On the 16th, Posadas Navienas is a primarily Hispanic Christian holiday that acknowledges Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. The Winter Solstice is honored by the Nordic nations – Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland on the 21st. It’s the shortest day and the longest night of the calendar year. The Northern Hemisphere will only have 8 hours and 46 minutes of daylight - amazing.
One of the most popular holidays is Christmas and is celebrated on the 25th. It’s primarily a Christian holiday and honors the birth of Jesus. Many will adorn their homes with lights, decorations, will enjoy holiday movies, like It’s a Wonderful Life earlier in the month in preparation for the 25th. Many will attend church services, have family gatherings to share a meal and exchange gifts on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It’s a wonderful and sacred time of year. On the 31st, many Christians will thank God for the safety they’ve received during the year. This tradition is called Watch Night. It’s also called Freedom’s Eve in remembrance of the Emancipation Proclamation (enacted January 1, 1863), which freed slaves in the Confederate states during the American Civil War.
One of the most universal holidays is New Year’s Eve. It’s a time for reflection on the past year and for acknowledging hopes and dreams for the new year. Many celebrate this day surrounded by family and friends while some will venture out to bigger events like New York City to watch the infamous Ball Drop with thousands of people to experiencing the magnificent fireworks show in Dubai, Australia, Japan, and Paris, just to name a few. Because I go to bed so early, I’m usually snuggled up on my couch with a sparkling water and some homemade popcorn while enjoying watching other parts of the world celebrating the New Year on television.
I absolutely love the month of December. I love its history, traditions, and holidays. I love that it’s steeped in faith, vibrant colors, fabulous energy, music, forgiveness, generosity, rebirth, renewal, and loved ones. May we honor this gorgeous month in partaking in old traditions while creating a new one or two. May we also be helpful, giving, and kind to those who are in need of something material or simply to know they are loved. May the richness of December fill your soul with beautiful moments.
Would love to hear how you are enjoying your December on https://www.facebook.com/kimberlynilssonauthor