December 1...World AIDS Day - has become an annual day of     recognition of AIDS to remember those who have died. To acknowledge the need for continued commitment to care for those who are HIV/AIDS positive. To support the research to find a cure

December 8 ... Bodhi Day (Buddhist) celebrates the Buddha's enlightment

December 10... International Human Rights Day - established by the United nations in 1948 commemorates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

December 8 -15...Hanukkah (Jewish) the Festival of Lights is an eight day festival recalling the war fought by the Maccabeees for religious freedom and rededication of the temple after recapturing it from the Syrians. Each evening a candle is lit on the "Menorah" / candelabra representing each day's miracle. Hanukkah is a time for singing,visiting, giving gifts and playing games. "Dreidel" / spinning top is a popular Hanukkah game

December 12... Our Lady of Guadalupe Day - Mexico: a major celebration that honors the "Dark Virgin of Guadalupe" - the Republic's patron saint. The "Dark Virgin" is comparable to the European "Virgin Mother"

December 16 -24... Las Posadas - Mexico includes processions and parties re-enacting Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem

December 21 ... Winter Solstice or the first day of winter. occurs on or around Dec. 22. this is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere

December 25 ... Christmas (Christian) is Jesus' birth. Celebrated on Dec. 25th  by Western churches and on Jan.7th by Eastern Orthodox churches

December 26 - January 1 ... Kwanzaa (United States) is an African - American holiday started in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African world scholar. It is based on the agricultural celebrations of Africa called "the first fruits" celebrations - which are times of harvest, gathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment and celebration. Kwanzaa is a time for achievements, reverence for the Creator and creation, commemoration of the past, recommitment to cultural ideals and celebration of the good. Kwanza, a Swahili word, means "first". Kwanzaa spelled with the double vowel at the end of the word refers to the holiday. it is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, thus practiced by Africans of all religious faiths

December 31... New Year's Eve