December is the 12th and last month of the year according to the Gregorian calendar, which is used in almost all the world today. It was the 10th month in the early Roman calendar and takes its name from the Latin word decem, which means ten. It became the 12th month in a later Roman calendar. In 46 B.C., the Roman statesman Julius Caesar added two days to December, which before then had only 29 days. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22. The day of the solstice is the first day of winter. That day, or a day shortly before or after it, is the shortest day of the year—that is, the day with the least amount of sunlight. The December solstice is known as the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. The day of the summer solstice is the first day of summer. That day, or a day shortly before or after it, is the longest day of the year.
The time near the winter solstice has long been a time of celebration. In Sweden, the Feast of Santa Lucia marks the start of the Christmas season. There, it is called Luciadagen (Lucia Day), and is a celebration of light. The ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia in mid-December with feasting, parties, and gift giving. The festival honored Saturn, the god of agriculture. China’s winter solstice festival, Dongzhi, features foods said to strengthen the body for winter’s cold. Traditionally, it was also a day to honor family ancestors. Toji, celebrated in Japan, includes foods said to be both nourishing and lucky. The Iranian celebration called Shab-e Yalda, Yalda Night, or Chelleh Night has ancient Persian roots. On the longest night of the year, Iranians gather for fun, poetry, and one more taste of the year’s summer fruits.
Christmas Day, December 25, is the chief holiday of the month in many countries today. Christians celebrate it as the birthday of Jesus Christ. The date of the celebration may have been set near the solstice to counter pagan celebrations that occurred at that time of year. On this day, many people go to religious services and exchange gifts. In many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, the day following Christmas is called Boxing Day. The holiday may date from the Middle Ages when priests opened the church’s alms (charity) boxes on the day after Christmas and distributed the contents to the poor. Or it may have begun with lords and ladies in England, who presented Christmas gifts in boxes to their servants on December 26. In the Bahamas, the Junkanoo celebration and parade is held on Boxing Day and again on New Year’s Day.
The Jewish holiday Hanukkah usually falls in December. Hanukkah is also known as the Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedication. The holiday recalls the miracle of the lamp burning in the Temple for eight days with only enough oil for one day when the Temple was rededicated in 165 B.C., after the Jews successfully overthrew their Syrian rulers. A relatively new holiday, Kwanzaa, originated in the United States and is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. This African American holiday is a celebration of family, ancestors, and the harvest. On December 16, South Africans observe a public holiday called the Day of Reconciliation. Its purpose is to encourage national unity. The last day of December is New Year’s Eve, when, at midnight, a new year is ushered in.
Holly, narcissus, and poinsettia are the flowers associated with December. The turquoise and the zircon are December birthstones.
