If you’re not familiar with December’s global holidays, you’re missing out. From Boxing Day to St. Stephen’s Day, this article will help you get started. You’ll also learn about Kwanzaa and Las Posadas, among other events. We’ll also touch on other holidays, such as the Jewish New Year and the Hindu festival of Diwali. So, take some time to learn more about December’s holiday calendar.
St. Stephen’s Day
In Ireland, St. Stephen’s Day is celebrated on December 26. It commemorates the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, who was a Jewish convert to Christianity. He was stoned to death by other Jews who did not believe in Jesus. The holiday is also celebrated around the world as a day of celebration. For many, St. Stephen’s Day is an opportunity to make new friends, visit friends, and attend a pantomime or church service.
While celebrating St. Stephen’s Day is a worldwide holiday, there are a number of differences between different traditions. It is a Christian holiday, but also a day of charity and care. In the UK, small gifts are often given to household servants. Many people also visit local orphanages on this day. However, if you are celebrating St. Stephen’s Day in your country, you should consider the following tips.
Boxing Day
As the 26th of December approaches, it’s time to start thinking about Boxing Day. Though its origins aren’t entirely clear, the holiday was first celebrated in the middle ages in the United Kingdom. It was the day when servants would give gifts and churches would hold special events for giving gifts. Today, Boxing Day is a prominent Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. While Christmas is the most celebrated global holiday in December, other countries are also celebrating Boxing Day in some way.
Although its origins are unclear, Boxing Day is most commonly celebrated in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. While it’s not a holiday centered on boxing, some countries also celebrate it with prizefights. In Ireland, the day is also known as “Wren Day” because poor children would kill a wren in hopes of gaining good luck. Today, wrens don’t figure into Boxing Day celebrations, although you might see a real wren on a decoration.
Kwanzaa
The weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa, which takes place in the United States from December 26 to January 1, celebrates the culture, history and achievements of African Americans. This holiday originated in 1966, when Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, Long Beach and executive director of the Kawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies, decided to create a holiday that would honor African heritage and inspire people to work for progress.
The tradition of Kwanzaa has roots in African harvest festivals. It celebrates family as the basic social unit. In ancient Africa, family was the most important aspect of life. The Ibo people of Nigeria believed that the last part of the libation was the property of their ancestors. That is why the libation cup, modeled after a traditional African cup, is passed from family to family during this celebration.
Las Posadas
One of the many December global holidays is Las Posadas, a nine-day Mexican Christmas celebration. The name comes from the story of Mary and Joseph during the time before Jesus was born. In a modernized version, the nine days of Las Posadas represent the nine months that Mary was pregnant before Jesus was born. Each day of the festival includes a candle-lit procession of children and their parents.
The nine-night celebration of Las Posadas is celebrated by preparing traditional dishes and drinks for guests. Traditionally, tamales are prepared with softened lard and corn dough. Tamales are filled with pork or chicken and various sauces, and covered with a corn leaf. Tamales are then placed in a steamer and kept warm until serving time. To celebrate this day, people all over the world enjoy the food and festivities.
World AIDS Day
Every year, the United States President delivers a keynote address on World AIDS Day. Since 1995, other heads of state have also delivered addresses on the day. Additionally, every year, the White House displays an AIDS Ribbon across the front of its building, raising awareness and garnering international attention. Each year, UNAIDS also comes up with a specific theme for World AIDS Day. Generally, the holiday is marked with a series of special events and activities.
While the day is observed on December 1, it also serves as an opportunity to mourn those who have died of AIDS and raise awareness about the disease. The virus that causes AIDS attacks a patient’s immune system, reducing their ability to fight off other diseases. Although recent advances in treatment have helped the AIDS epidemic in some ways, it still claims two million lives a year and kills about 250,000 children.
New Year’s Eve
Celebrated around the world, New Year’s Eve brings together people from all walks of life. For many, it is an opportunity to say goodbye to the year and welcome the new one. In many countries, celebrations take place at midnight, and in others, celebrations begin before the sun rises. Here are some ideas for celebrations around the world. Read on to learn more about the holiday and how it is celebrated around the world.
Christmas is perhaps the most popular part of the December celebrations, and it is celebrated for a variety of reasons. It is believed to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, who was considered the son of God. It is also a great time to get together with family and friends, eat good food, and exchange gifts. Many people also use this day to enjoy time off from the regular routine.
