4 Other Holidays Celebrated in December

When we hear ‘December’, most of us think ‘Christmas’ and that is true. However, there are other holidays celebrated this month and I will be sharing four of them with you today.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah (‘dedication’) is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated over the course of eight days. It starts on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev (based on the lunar cycle) so it sometimes falls in November. This holiday commemorates the rededication of the second temple that was built after the Maccabean revolt.

Las Posadas

Las posadas (‘The Inns’), is a Hispanic celebration that begins nine days before Christmas (16th December to 24th December). On these days, there is a procession through the streets in which the people try to seek lodging at homes or inns but are refused. This is done to commemorate Mary and Joseph’s experience before Jesus was born. 

Yule or Winter Solstice

The winter solstice on the 21st of December marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. During Yule, the celebration marks the rebirth of the sun or the great horned hunter god. 

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration from December 26th to January 1st. It is marked by African Americans celebrating African culture. 

Are there any celebrations you know of? Let us know in the comments below 🙂