In the Gregorian calendar, December is the twelfth and last month; in the Julian calendar, it is the sixth and last month. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the coldest month of the year, whereas in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the warmest. The summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere both fall in December.
The Latin word “decem,” which means “ten,” is where the name December originates. This is due to the fact that the Roman calendar, which started in March, originally designated December as the tenth month. December is the twelfth and last month of the calendar, having been added by the Roman monarch Numa Pompilius in 713 BC together with January and February.
December has a lengthy and rich past. December was a month of festivity and feasting in ancient Rome. December saw the Saturnalia, a week-long celebration honoring the god Saturn. During the Saturnalia, people would exchange gifts, feast, and celebrate.
December is known as Advent in the Christian religion, when people get ready for the birth of Jesus Christ. The fourth Sunday before Christmas marks the start of Advent, which concludes on Christmas Eve. Christians frequently use Advent wreaths and calendars to beautify their houses during the season of Advent.
In addition, December marks a number of significant celebrations and holidays. December marks a number of festivals in the US, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. December is the month for New Year’s Eve and Day in several other nations.
This is a more thorough examination of December’s past:
Bygone Rome
December was a month of festivity and feasting in ancient Rome. December saw the Saturnalia, a week-long celebration honoring the god Saturn. During the Saturnalia, people would exchange gifts, feast, and celebrate.
In ancient Rome, the Saturnalia was a highly celebrated celebration. It was a time of feasting and gift-exchanging when slaves were permitted to assume the role of masters. There was a lot of happiness and rejoicing during the Saturnalia.
The Early Church
Early Christians observed fasts and times of prayer in December. According to Church doctrine, December is a period of preparation for Jesus Christ’s birth.
The Church started commemorating Jesus’ birth on December 25 in the fourth century. Because it was thought to be the day of Jesus’ birth, this day was selected. The most significant celebration on the Christian calendar is the Nativity of Jesus.
modern era
December is a joyful and celebratory month in the modern era. Holidays like Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas are approaching.
The most celebrated holiday in December is Christmas. It is a time to give, spend with loved ones, and celebrate. Christians all throughout the world celebrate Christmas.
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, which marks the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is observed for eight days, starting on Kislev 25.
The African-American festival of Kwanzaa honors African ancestry and culture. On December 26, Kwanzaa is observed for seven days.
New Year’s Eve and Day are also observed in December. On New Year’s Eve, festivities and celebrations are in order. On New Year’s Day, people take some time to reflect and make new starts.
In summary
December is a month steeped with tradition and history. It’s a season of excitement, celebration, and fresh starts.