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December 2007
Event Calendar
| 1 |
World
AIDS Day First designated in 1988 by the World Health Organization, December 1 is a day for building awareness about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). December 5th - World AIDS Day event: Safe Sex Health Fair - GCC Main campus Central Mall Area; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
| 2 |
First
Sunday of Advent (Christian) Observances leading up to Christmas. |
| 5 |
Hanukkah
(Judaism)
– begins sundown Dec. 4. Goes to the 12th of December. Commemorates the Jewish victory over Syrians/Seleucids in 164 BCE. Upon rededicating their temple after the battle, the Maccabees relit the perpetual light, but only with a small amount of oil. The oil lasted eight days and originated the tradition of lighting one candle each day of the holiday; this is why Hanukkah is otherwise known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication. Suspension of work is not required. |
| 6 |
St.
Nicholas' Day (European
Christian) A Northern European holiday that preceded the familiar Americanized Santa Claus. Not only did St. Nick provide the jolly image of a gift-giving bearded man, but candy canes are, in fact, based on the crozier (hooked staff) commonly pictured in St. Nicholas' hand. |
| 8 |
Bodhi
Day / Rohatsu
(Buddhism) Buddhist celebration of the time when Prince Siddhartha Gautama sat under the Bodhi tree, vowing to remain there, meditating without desire, until he attained supreme enlightenment, which he did in 596 BCE. Immaculate Conception of Mary (Catholic Christian) The feast is linked to the date Dec 8, 1854, when Pope Pius IX formally defined the dogma “infallibly” as a required belief. Many believe that it refers to the conception of Jesus around 6 BCE but it actually refers to the conception of Jesus' mother, Mary, around 24 BCE. The Immaculate Conception commemorates the Virgin Mary's being born free from the taint of original sin. Catholics are required to attend Mass on this day. |
| 9 |
Second
Sunday of Advent (Christian) |
| 12 |
Last day of
Hanukkah (Judaism) Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast day - (Hispanic) Catholic Christian honoring of a legendary appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531 c.e. Masa’il (Baha’i) The 15th month of the Baha’i Calendar called Masa’il (Questions) starts December 11th at sundown. The Baha’i Calendar months are named after attributes or qualities of God. |
| 16 |
Third Sunday of Advent (Christian) |
| 16- -24 |
Las Posadas
/ Posadas Navidenas
(Hispanic Christian) This holiday takes place over nine days or eight, the duration varies in some regions. It commemorates Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their quest to find a place to stay in that crowded city. The couple's journey ends on Christmas Eve. |
| 18 | Hajj
begins (Islam) One of the five pillars of Islam, Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage, known as Hajj, to the holy city of Mecca at least once during their lifetime. Only Muslims who are financially and physically able are obligated to make the journey. Day of Hajj commemorates the last revelation given to the Prophet at Mount 'Arafat shortly before his death. Muslims on Hajj attend a service on the plains in front of Mount 'Arafat. |
| 20 |
Maunajiyaras
(Jainism) Jain day of fasting, silence, and meditation on the five holy teachers: monks, teachers, religious leaders, Arihants (Jinas, enlightened masters) and Siddhas (liberated souls). This day is also regarded as the anniversary of the birth of many of the Tirthankaras or Pathfinders. Eid al-Adhá (Islam) Within the Muslim community, this feast honors the willingness of Ibrahim/Abraham to obey Allah/God by sacrificing his son. It is the most important feast in the Islamic calendar. The date coincides with the end of the annual pilgrimage (the Hajj) to Makkah/Mecca – but is not limited to those who have traveled to the holy city. The Festival of Sacrifice is the concluding act of pilgrimage and is observed even when not on pilgrimage. As Abraham offered his son, Ishmael, to God, Muslims offer sheep, goats, and camels. The feast is commemorated by eating only a portion of a meal and donating the rest to the poor. The faithful usually take the day off as a religious holiday (and some traditions hold multi-day festivities). |
| 21 | St. Thomas
Day (Christian) Christian remembrance of the Apostle of Jesus who traveled east toward India and is now the Patron Saint of India and Pakistan. |
| 22 |
Yule (Wicca/Neo Pagan for Northern hemisphere, multiple religions elsewhere, including Christian) – begins sundown Dec. 21 The Winter Solstice happens on this day. It is celebrated by many Aboriginal, Norse, and Neopagan religions around the world as a celebration of the winter-born king, symbolized by the rebirth of the sun. The Wiccans consider it one of the four minor Sabbats. The longest night and shortest daytime occurs on this day. Christians consider this a celebration of the light dawning in Jesus. Litha (Wicca/Neo Pagan for Southern hemisphere) – begins sundown Dec. 21 Wicca celebration of the sacred marriage in which energy of the gods is poured into the service of life. Tohji-taisai (Shinto) The Grand Ceremony of the December Solstice celebrates the joy of the ending of the yin period of the sun, when it declines in strength, and the beginning of its growing power or yang period. The sun is of central importance in Japan, expressing the presence of Amaterasu Omikami, the Kami of the Sun. |
| 24 |
Fourth
Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve (Christian) |
| 25 |
Christmas
(Christian) Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Although some pre-Christian traditions have influenced how this holiday is celebrated, it holds profound religious meaning to Christians worldwide. Christmas encourages family get-togethers, gift exchanges, festive parties, and a lot of joy. Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox Christian) |
| 26 |
Zarathosht
Diso (Zoroastrian) Commemoration of the death of the Prophet Zarathustra; a solemn occasion devoted to special prayers and discourse concerning the life and works of Zarathustra. St. Stephen’s Day (Christian) Christian remembrance of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. |
| 26- -Jan 1 |
Kwanzaa "Kwanzaa" is Swahili for "first fruits." This non-religious celebration of African-American origin was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga. The holiday is dedicated to seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Kwanzaa is celebrated by many North Americans of West African descent in recognition of their African heritage. |
| 28 |
Holy
Innocents (Christian)
Christian day of solemn memory of male children killed by King Herod in the attempt to destroy Jesus. This feast day inspires modern Christians both to consider and to help eliminate the suffering of children throughout the world. |
| 30 |
Feast
of the Holy Family (Catholic
Christian) The Holy Family celebrates the union of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as a family unit. Like most families, they had their trials and joys. |
| 31 |
Watch
Night (Christian) Historically, Watch Night has been celebrated in some places by Christians who gathered on December 31 to thank God for helping them make it through another year. In African American communities the day gained special importance, because on New Year's Day in 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was to herald the end of slavery in the United States. Many slaves gathered together in churches or other meeting places to celebrate together. Such gatherings often take place in churches today, with celebrations including songs and speeches. Sharaf (Baha’i) Celebrates the 16th month on their calendar. The name means "Honor". Ghambar Maidyarem (Zoroastrianism) This day celebrates the creation of animals. It is also the time for equitable sharing of food. |