Celebrating light and renewal: December holidays across faiths

Over 2,500 years ago, Siddhartha Gautama sat beneath a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, seeking answers to life’s deepest questions. After days of meditation, he attained enlightenment—a moment that would shape the spiritual path for millions worldwide. Today, Buddhists commemorate this awakening on Bodhi Day, a quiet celebration of wisdom and compassion that falls each December.

December, across cultures and faiths, remains a season of reflection, warmth and community. From Bodhi Day to Hanukkah, Advent and Kwanzaa, these holidays share common threads—hope, generosity and renewal—making this month a rich tapestry of traditions. For librarians curating collections or planning programs, these celebrations offer opportunities to connect patrons with stories that transcend boundaries.

Christian Traditions in December

For many, December is synonymous with Advent and Christmas, celebrations rooted in anticipation and joy. But the Christian calendar also honors saints whose feast days carry deep cultural significance.

• • St. Nicholas (December 6): Known for his generosity, St. Nicholas inspired modern gift-giving traditions.
  • St. Lucy (December 13): Her feast day symbolizes light overcoming darkness—a theme echoed in Scandinavian festivals.

Resources like Acta Sanctorum, part of ProQuest One Religion and Philosophy, from Clarivate, provide fascinating historical narratives of these saints, offering primary sources that illuminate how these traditions evolved over centuries.

Jewish Tradition – Hanukkah

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple and the miracle of oil that burned for eight days. Beyond its historical roots, Hanukkah speaks to resilience and faith. Scholarly articles in various collections within the 20th Century Religious Thought Library explore how Hanukkah has adapted across cultures, from ancient Judea to modern celebrations worldwide.

African American Tradition – Kwanzaa

Created in the 1960s, Kwanzaa celebrates African heritage and community through seven guiding principles, from unity to creativity. It’s a cultural holiday that emphasizes reflection and empowerment. Dissertations and cultural studies in the Religion Collection in ProQuest One Religion & Philosophy provide rich context for librarians seeking to highlight Kwanzaa’s meaning and evolution.

Shared Themes Across Faiths

These holidays share powerful motifs:

• • Light as a universal symbol of hope
  • Generosity and community as antidotes to isolation
  • Renewal during the year’s darkest days

These common threads remind us that December is not just about individual traditions — it’s a collective yearning for connection and meaning.

Collections That Foster Understanding

For librarians, December offers a unique opportunity to showcase resources that foster understanding across faiths. Through historical texts such as Acta Sanctorum and other interdisciplinary collections in ProQuest One Religion & Philosophy, your library can help to enlighten students and faculty on the influence of religion and philosophy on culture, society and history. In doing so, we celebrate not only diversity but the shared human values that unite us all.