Religious Calendar
December 2019 - January 2020
The calendar below, created by Dr. Peter Yuichi Clark, is an excellent way to keep on top of religious high holy days and festivals as they go by. It is especially useful for those in interfaith vocations who need this information on a day-to-day basis.
TIO is cooperating with another “working” religious calendar project being led by Read the Spirit. It extends what we usually mean by religious calendar to include important civic holidays. It identifies major religious holidays more than a year in advance. Most important, it features stories about what these many religious festival events are all about – what they mean, the important stories, the food associated, and how particular events are celebrated. Your own stories of religious holidays, whatever your tradition, are welcomed at the site. Check it out!
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For Native Americans of the Zuni tribe in New Mexico, December marks the time of the Shalako Kochina Ceremony. For other aboriginal tribes, this is the season when the river freezes and the land sleeps, known as Luut’aa.
The Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony, in which old fires are extinguished and new fires are lit, and the Hopi Holy Cycle, in which the changing of the seasons and the nature of the Hopi sacred universe are celebrated, begin in January and February, but the dates of observance vary by tribe. It is also the season of K’aliyee, the time of the north wind that blows off glaciers and icecaps that linger from the last ice age.
Sunday, December 15
Third Sunday of Advent (joy) – Christianity (Western churches)
Monday, December 16
Posadas Navideñas begins (through December 25) – Christianity (Western churches)
A Latino/Latina Christian feast of the Lodgings, commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph toward Bethlehem in preparation for the birth of Jesus.Simbáng Gabi begins (through December 24) – Christianity (Roman Catholic and Philippine Independent churches)
A nine-day series of night Masses observed by Filipino/Filipina Roman Catholics and members of the Philippine Independent Church in anticipation of Christmas and in honor of the Virgin Mary.
Tuesday, December 17
Birthday of Amitābha Buddha – Buddhism
Marking the birth of the bodhisattva Dharmakāra who resolved to attain enlightenment as a buddha and vowed to create a Pure Land. He became the buddha Amitābha (“infinite light”), and any sentient being who desires to be born into that land is guaranteed rebirth there through his vow, and from there she/he/it will unfailingly reach Nirvana. This belief forms the foundation of Pure Land Buddhism, which is practiced by many Buddhists in Japan, China, and other East Asian countries.
Thursday, December 19
Maunajiyaras – Jainism
A day of fasting, silence, and meditation on the five holy beings: monks, teachers, religious leaders, Arihants or Jinas (enlightened masters), and Siddhas (liberated souls). This day is also marked as the birth anniversary of many Tirthankaras or Pathfinders.
Saturday, December 21
Winter Feast – Native American spirituality
A time when Native Americans of the Woodland tribes share food with the spirits of winter.Yaldā – Zoroastrianism
The “night of birth” which marks the longest night of the year, after which days begin getting longer—thus symbolizing the victory of light and goodness over dark and evil. This festival is celebrated with storytelling, poetic readings, family reunions, and feasting.Yule – Wicca
A celebration symbolizing the rebirth of the sun by the Goddess. A present-day Wicca event that ritually marks the shedding of the dross of the past year and contemplating one’s future spiritual development.Tohji-Taisai [Grand Ceremony of the Winter Solstice] – Shintō
This day marks the end of the sun’s decline (the yin period) and the beginning of its growth (the yang period). In Japanese spirituality, the sun is expressive of Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and guiding spirit of the Japanese people.
Sunday, December 22
Fourth Sunday of Advent (love) – Christianity (Western churches)
Chanukah [Hanukkah] begins (through December 30) – Judaism
The Jewish Festival of Lights commemorates the Maccabean victory over Syrian-Greek oppressors and the recapture and re-dedication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165 B.C.E. Special readings and praise songs focus on liberty and freedom. The eight-candle Menorah is lit at sundown, and gifts are given.
Monday, December 23
Birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Commemorating the birth of Joseph Smith, Jr., in 1805 C.E. in Vermont. He translated what became known as the Book of Mormon and became the first president of the LDS Church when it was founded in 1830 in Fayette, New York.
Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Eve – Christianity (Western and Eastern churches)
Celebration of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. It is observed with worship, carols, candle lighting, manger scenes and festive meals.
Wednesday, December 25
Christmas Day/Feast of the Nativity – Christianity (Western and Eastern churches)
Celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, observed by prayers, exchanging of gifts, and family parties.
Thursday, December 26
Kwanzaa begins (through January 1) – African American heritage
A seven-day festival that celebrates values highly regarded by people of African American ancestry. The values include umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). Each of these principles, collectively known as the Nguzo Saba, is represented by a red or green candle, each of which is lit on successive days using a central black candle.Synaxis (Sobor) of the Theotokos – Christianity (Eastern churches)
According to Eastern Orthodox Christians, this feast day is perhaps the most ancient celebration of Mary in the Christian tradition. It commemorates Mary as the human being through whom Jesus’ incarnation as the human Son of God was made possible. The terms “synaxis” and “sobor” refer to a liturgical gathering and often indicate special occasions for divine worship.Zaratosht Diso [Anniversary of the death of the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster)] – Zoroastrianism
Estimates of when he lived vary from the sixth to the second millenium B.C.E., but this date memorializes the death of the prophet Zoroaster, whose hymns (gathas) are preserved in the Zoroastrian scriptures.
Friday, December 27
St. Stephen’s Day – Christianity (Eastern churches)
Remembrance of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Saturday, December 28
Holy Innocents’ Day – Christianity
A day of solemn memory for the male children of Bethlehem killed by King Herod in an attempt to destroy Jesus.
Tuesday, December 31
Ghambar Maidyarem (through January 4) – Zoroastrianism
A celebration for the creation of animals, and a time for the equitable sharing of food with others.Sharaf – Bahá’í
The beginning of the sixteenth month of the Bahá’í year; its name means “honor.”
Thursday, January 2
Jashne Sadeh – Zoroastrianism
A celebration of the discovery of fire by King Hashang of the Peshdadian dynasty; it is a festival in which a large bonfire is built as an act of defiance to drive back the winter.
Friday, January 3
Birth of Gurū Har Rai – Sikhism (Nanakshahi calendar)
A celebration of the birth of the seventh of the Sikh gurūs [1630 – 1661 C.E.], according to the Nanakshahi calendar.
Tuesday, January 7
Feast of the Nativity (Christmas) – Christianity (some Eastern churches)
The celebration of Jesus’ birth begins at sundown on this day, according to the Julian calendar used in some Orthodox churches.
Wednesday, January 8
Seijin-no-hi – Shintō
Coming-of-Age Day, a Japanese national holiday in which families travel to shrines and announce to the gods that their children have reached adulthood. Prayers are offered for the children’s wellbeing and lifelong health.
Tuesday, January 14
Makar Sankranti – Hinduism
A festival marking the change from decrease to increase of the sun.
Friday, January 17
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins – Christianity
Saturday, January 18
Sultán – Bahá’í (Jan. 18-19)
The first day of Sultán (Sovereignty), the seventeenth month of the Bahá’í year.
Monday, January 20
World Religion Day – Bahá’í
A celebration of the teachings of unity found in all religious traditions. The observance begins at sundown.
If you want more information about any of these holy days, please contact
UCSF Medical Center Spiritual Care Services at 415-353-1941 (Rev. Dr. Peter Yuichi Clark)
Our thanks to the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, the Multifaith Action Society of British Columbia (Canada), BBC’s Religion Website, Peel Schools District Board (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), the Arizona State University Provost’s Office, the NCCJ of the Piedmont Triad, the Anti-Defamation League, Project Interfaith (Omaha, NE), the University of Victoria Faculty of Law (British Columbia, Canada), the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, and www.interfaithcalendar.org
To subscribe to this calendar and sync it with your Google, Outlook, or iCal calendars, visit ucsfspiritcare.org and select the “Resources” menu.