Festivals Calendar

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December 2008
8 December		Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is mainly marked by the Roman Catholic church, to celebrate the doctrine that Mary herself was born free from original sin, leaving her sinless to bear Jesus. BBC Religion and Ethics: The Immaculate Conception.
8 December		Bodhi Day On Bodhi Day some Buddhists, for example those in the Pure Land tradition, celebrate Gautama's attainment of Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, India. Bodhi Day.
9 December		Eid-ul-Adha / The Festival of Sacrifice This major Muslim festival marks the end of the Hajj (the pilgrimage to Makkah). Animals are sacrificed by pilgrims at Mina, on the way back to Makkah from Mount Arafat, in commemoration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. Muslims around the world share in the celebrations, sacrificing an animal if they can afford it, the meat being distributed to the poor and shared with family and friends. IslamiCity.com - Eid-ul-Adha.
22 - 29 December		Hanukah Hanukah is the Jewish celebration of the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, after it was recaptured from the Syrian Greeks in 165 BCE. Candles are lit, one for each of the eight evenings of Hanukah and food cooked with oil is eaten, to remember the miracle with oil that kept the Temple lights burning. ORT: Hanukkah - Festival of Lights.
24 December		Christmas Eve On Christmas Eve churches hold evening carol services and Midnight Masses to herald the arrival of Christmas Day and celebrate the birth of Jesus. BBC Religion and Ethics: The Story of Christmas.
25 December		Christmas Day Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus who Christians believe to be the Son of God. Gifts are reminders of the offerings brought to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. Crew's Nest Holidays & Celebrations: Christmas.

[Last updated: 27/10/08]