Recognizing and Celebrating Diversity in December

Many calendars delineating multi-cultural traditions are exclusively interfaith.  Interfaith may build bridges across people of different faiths, but it builds a wall that marginalizes the non-religious demographic.  Below is a multi-tradition, InterWorldview calendar for December showing celebrations, commemorations, and meaningful days for people of all religious, secular, and spiritual identities.

December 1st

  • (Islam) Eid-Maulad-un-Nabi – Anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. Some Muslims mark this occasion by special prayers, whilst other Muslims may mark the occasion by dedicating more time to reading the Koran.
  • (USA) Rosa Parks Day – Commemorates the arrest of Rosa Parks, in 1955, for defying segregation by refusing to give up her seat on the bus for a white passenger. The incident led to the end of segregation.
  • (UN) World Aids Day  – This day is designated by the World Health Organization and the United Nations to increase awareness and education of AIDS. Today, over 41 million people are living with HIV/AIDS.
  • (Romania) National Day – Marks the unification of Romania and Transylvania in 1918 and the 1989 overthrow of the communist regime.
  • (Portugal) Independence Day – Celebrates the reinstatement of sovereignty after the period of Spanish rule between 1580 and 1640

December 2nd

  • (Laos) UAE National Day – Commemorates the overthrow of the monarchy in 1975 and declaration of the republic.
  • (UN) Int’l Day for the Abolition of Slavery  – United Nations initiative to raise awareness about the more than 40 million people worldwide who are victims of modern slavery.

December 3rd

  • (Christian) First Sunday of Advent  – The Christian church year begins with Advent (from the Latin adventus meaning ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’) which is also a time when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
  • (UN) Int’l Day for Persons with Disabilities  -The theme for 2017’s International Day is “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want”. This theme notes the recent adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of these goals in building a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities.

December 5th

  • (UN) Int’l Volunteer Day – This day is a unique chance for volunteers and organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to promote their work among their communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, government authorities and the private sector.
  • (Haiti) Discovery Day – Celebrates the day Christopher Columbus found Haiti on his second voyage to the New World in 1492.

December 6th

  • (Christian) St. Nicholas Day He is the patron saint of Russia and came from a town in Turkey. Being known as a protector of children, the tradition of leaving shoes out in the hopes of receiving treats is practiced in the Dutch, German and Eastern European communities.
  • (Finland) Independence Day Marks independence from Russia in 1917
  • (Spain) Constitution Day

December 7th

  • (USA) Pearl Harbor Day This day commemorates the attack of the Imperial Japanese Navy and Air Force on the armed forces of the United States stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing two thousand people. This caused the United States to enter into World War II.

December 8th

  • (Catholic) Feast of the Immaculate Conception According to the Catholic religion, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without Original Sin in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.
  • (Buddhist) Bodhi Day In Japanese Zen, Bodhi Day is called “Rohatsu” and is the observance of enlightenment of the historical Buddha. Zen monasteries observe this day with a meditation retreat lasting several days. On the last night of a Rohatsu sesshin, monks and students often sit in meditation until dawn, as the Buddha did 25 centuries ago.

December 9th

  • (Tanzania) Independence Day Tanzania achieved independence of Tanganyika from the United Kingdom in 1961.
  • (UN) Int’l Anti-Corruption Day “On International Anti-corruption Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to ending the deceit and dishonesty that threaten the 2030 Agenda and our efforts to achieve peace and prosperity for all on a healthy planet.” — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

December 10th

  • (Thailand) Constitution Day Commemorates the signing of a national constitution by King Rama VII in 1932.
  • (UN)Human Rights Day Established in 1948 by the United Nations to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sets forth basic rights and freedoms to which all are entitled.
  • December 12th
    (Baha’i) Masa’il (15th month) The first day of the fifteenth Bahá’í month. The English translation of Masá’il (Arabic) is Questions.
  • (Mexico) Christian Our Lady of Guadalupe An important religious festival in Mexico. It commemorates the appearance of the Blessed Virgin to an Indian boy in 1531. Processions, dances and visits are led to her Mexico City shrine.
  • (Kenya) Jamhuri Jamhuri (Independence Day) celebrates independence from Britain in 1963.

December 13th

  • (Jewish) Hanukkah – December 12th through 20th. Also called the Festival of Lights or the Festival of Dedication
  • (Islam) Ismaili Aga Khan’s Birthday  – Aga Khan is the religious head of the Ismaili sect
  • (Sweden) Luciadagen / St. Lucia Day – This day is also known as ‘Queen of Light’. A candlestick parade takes place.

December 15th

  • (USA) Bill of Rights Day  – The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. Among the rights protected are freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and protection from unreasonable search.
  • (Puerto Rico) Navidades –  Marks the beginning of the Christmas season and ends with Three Kings Day on January 6th.

December 16th

  • (Mexico) Christian Posadas  – Dec 16-24: A nine-day traditional celebration throughout Mexico. Processions of pilgrims go door to door asking for posada, which means shelter, commemorating the search by Mary and Joseph for shelter.
  • (Bangladesh) Bijoy Dibash  – Signifies independence after a 9-month Liberation War against Pakistan in 1971. East Pakistan became Bangladesh.

December 17th

  • (Bhutan) National Day –  The date marks the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo of modern Bhutan.

December 18th

  • (UN) International Arabic Language Day  – Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, spoken by more than 422 million people.
  • (Qatar) Independence Day Al-Yaoum al-Watani. National commemoration of Qatar’s unification in 1878.
  • (UN) International Migrants Day

December 20th

  • (UN) Int’l Human Solidarity Day United Nations’ day to celebrate unity in diversity.

December 21st

  • (International. Also observed in Wicca, Satanism, or Atheism/Humanism) Solstice In the Northern Hemisphere – winter begins today. In the Southern Hemisphere, today is the beginning of summer. Between the equator and the Arctic Circle, the sun rises and sets farthest south on the horizon for the year and the period of daylight is at its shortest–12 hours, 8 minutes at the equator and decreasing to zero at the Arctic Circle.
  • (Wicca)  Yule – During the winter solstice – the longest night of the year, the rebirth of the sun which is life sustaining is celebrated. The Yule tree is decorated with fruit and candles are lit to represent the sun.
  • (Shinto) Tohji-Tasai  – The sun is of central importance in Japan and this day celebrates the end of the Yin period of the Sun in its declining strength and the growing power of the Yang period.

December 23rd

  • (USA) Festivus – “Happy Festivus” is the traditional greeting associated with a mock holiday featured in the Season 9 episode of Seinfeld named “The Strike” on December 18, 1997. Since then, many people have been inspired by this zany, offbeat holiday that includes a Festivus pole, the “airing of grievances” and the “feats of strength.”
  • (Humanist)  Human Light Celebration  – On the Saturday and/or Sunday prior to Christmas, celebrates humanist ideals and values, and working toward a happy, just, and peaceful world. Celebrates Humanist achievements and community.
  • (Christian) – Mormon Joseph Smith’s Birthday He was the American Mormon Leader, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
    (Japan) Heisei Emperor’s Birthday –  This is the current Emperor’s birthday. His reign has been named Heisei (Succeed at Peace).

December 24th

  • (Libya) Independence Day  – Commemorates independence from Italy in 1951

December 25th

  • (Christian) Christmas Day  – This day celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth over 2000 years ago. Customs include lighting candles, exchanging gifts and using evergreen decorations to celebrate this day, the most widely observed Christian festival of the year. In most communities it is a family day.
  • (Pakistan) Jinnah’s Birthday  -Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the founder of Pakistan.

December 26th

  • (Zoroastrian) Death of Prophet Zarathustra  – This day marks the death of the founder of the Zoroastrian faith.
  • (African-American/Canadian) USA Kwanzaa  Kwanzaa – celebrated since 1966, means first fruit in Swahili and is a harvest festival. Families exchange gifts and have African-style feasts. Seven-pronged candleholders are lit on each consecutive night for the seven principles: unity, self-determination, working together, sharing, purpose, creativity and faith. The celebration continues through January 1.
  • (Canada, UK, Ireland, England) Boxing Day – It was once a day when the church’s poor boxes were opened. In Britain, originally a day when gifts (boxes) are given to servants, tradespeople, or others who provide services.
  • (Ireland) Wren Day / St. Stephen’s Day  – On Wren Day, boys in wren costumes go from house to house with a captured wren, singing songs and gathering coins. These coins help to pay for a big celebratory feast in the evening.
  • (Bahamas) Junkanoo –  A festival that combines elements of Mardi Gras, mummers’ parades, and ancient African tribal rituals. Continues on January 1

December 30th

  • (Philippines) Rizal Day  – This day commemorates the death of Jose Mercado Rizal in 1896, a Philippine doctor and author whose books denounced Spanish administration. He was an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement.

December 31st

  • (Zoroastrian) Gahambar Maidyarem – Dec 31 – Jan 4: This day celebrates the creation of animals. It is also a time for the equitable sharing of food.
  • (Baha’i) Sharaf (16th Month) – The first day of the sixteenth Bahá’í month. The English translation of Sharaf (Arabic) is Honor.
  • (Japan) Omisoka – To usher in the new year, families clean their homes, eat toshi-koshi buckwheat noodles in the hope that one’s life will be stretched out as long as these noodles. As midnight approaches, Shinto temples around the country begin ringing out the old year, sounding the temple bell 108 times, signifying the 108 human worldly desires removed by the striking of the bell. Most offices are closed Dec 30 – Jan 4 or Dec 29 – Jan 3.
  • (Scotland) Hogmanay – The Scottish New Year, Hogmanay is derived from the French phrase meaning ‘Lead to the mistletoe’. Fire ceremonies, banging of pots and pans at midnight and bringing bread, salt and coal to their hosts to symbolize life, hospitality and warmth mark this exuberant occasion.