Welcome, December!
Fun Facts About the Year's Final Month
Well, we have finally reached the final month of 2023! Can you believe another year has nearly passed us all by? Awash with holidays and some much-needed breaks from school and work (hopefully!), December often feels like it flies right by. Before we know it, we'll be writing 2024!
This week, we're going to share a few facts about December to keep things light and fun during the final stretch of the holiday season!
December as the 12th Month
Though it comes from the Latin word decem, meaning ten, December is the 12th month. It was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar, but things got restructured by the Roman senate in 153 BCE, and the months of January and February were added. Now, the Latin roots of the month's names don't align with where they fall.
AD vs Jesus' Birth Year
Though you often see BC (Before Christ) or AD (Anno Domini) and associate it with the birth of Jesus Christ, it is not believed that he was born in year 0, or actually even on Christmas Day! Between changing calendars and a lack of specifics on his exact birthday in the Bible, it is generally accepted that he was born between the years 4 and 6 AD.
Holidays all Throughout the Month
December has more holidays than any other month despite the oftentimes very chilly weather in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice marking the shortest day of the year. Here are the dates of celebration this year:
- Krampusnacht: December 5
- Hanukkah: December 7–13, 2023
- Winter Solstice and Yule: December 21–January 1
- Christmas Day: December 25
- Boxing Day: December 26
- Kwanzaa: December 26–January 1
- New Year's Eve: December 31
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