In Virginia, you may loosely equate December with the start of winter and sometimes some snow. Most of us directly equate December with a holiday. I love the holidays! Regardless of why you celebrate a holiday in the winter, I believe it is important to celebrate it with family and friends. Although I celebrate for specific reasons, it is always interesting to know why other people celebrate. Below is a brief list of December holidays.
December
Holiday
Foliage
Why would a tree service blog write about holidays? Because greenery is part of many December Holidays. Pictured above from left to right is holly & berries, evergreen trees, and mistletoe.
Religious Holidays
Holidays based on religious celebrations include Christmas, Hanukkah, Las Posadas.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. Religious services are important. Many people put up a Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments. Gift giving and big dinner celebrations are also common.
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in 165 BC. A miracle occurred when one day’s worth of oil burned for eight days in the temple to complete the cleansing. Traditions include the menorah with candles, latkes, and dreidels.
Las Posadas is an eight-day Christmas Tradition that originated in Mexico. It commemorates Joseph’s and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem. Many people participate in reenactments of the journey. Pinatas and religious ceremonies are integral parts of the celebration.
Non-Religious Holidays
In contrast there are secular or non-religious celebrations. These include Kwanzaa, the winter solstice, and New Year’s.
Kwanzaa means “first fruit of the harvest” in Swahili. It starts on December 26th and lasts one week. During Kwanzaa people celebrate their beliefs of unity, faith, creativity, and more.
The winter solstice celebrates the beginning of winter. It occurs in the hemisphere’s winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is usually December 21 or 22. This is when the sun is the farthest away from the earth. As a result, it is the shortest day of the year.
A December Holiday for Everyone
We all know what happens on December 31. New Year's Eve is celebrated worldwide. It is a chance for everyone to celebrate the coming of a new year and the chance for change. Therefore many people make a New Year's resolution to do something different. Others just enjoy the celebration.
A Noteworthy December Holiday We All Should Know
This is not a federal holiday, and it is probably not well known. However, December 7th is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. On this day we remember those who lost their lives during the attack of Pearl Harbor. Flags are flown at half mast, wreath laying ceremonies, and speeches characterize the events.
Happy December Holidays
Vic's Tree Service wishes you a safe and happy holiday experience. We hope it is filled with family, friends, and great memories.
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