Christmas gets all the publicity for December. As it should I guess. While waiting and anticipating the day of fun and presents, though, we miss some other interesting days. Do you know what these other December days are better known as? Many come from some religious lore, mostly because this is the month when it gets quite dark. But then the sun comes back.

1) This date in early December is named for a Catholic saint. He was a bishop whose fame came from giving to the needy, especially children. Can you name the date and the honoree?

2) “Yesterday {date} A date that will live in infamy” intoned FDR in 1941. What is the day named and what is the date?

3) On this date in 1791 The Bill of Rights were added to the Constitution. We should really celebrate this, but I bet few even know this date.

4) Last year I learned from a friend from Iran that they have a celebration called “the longest night.” What date do you think that is held on?

5) Back in the Roman days, this began on Dec. 17 and lasted 7 days. It was the feast of feasts and I vote to bring it back. What is it called?

6) Don’t celebrate Christmas, Chanukah or Kwanzaa? Well a popular TV show provided us with this holiday that includes the annual “Airing of Grievances.” What is the name and the date of this holiday?

7) Really big in the British Commonwealth, this is the day that presents are given to servants and the poor. Now it is major gift exchange day in the Commonwealth. Day’s name and date?

8) In the northern nations of Europe, December 20-31 celebrates the shortest day and the return of light. We have adapted the name of this holiday into our language. What is the holiday?

9) A major holiday in old Norse and some Southern European countries, this saint’s holiday on December 13th celebrates the return of light. Any idea who she is?

10) December 8th is a big day for Catholics. Any idea what the date celebrates?

Well, Looks like a lot of the celebrations deal with the return of light. Various calendars throughout history has had that date as Dec. 25th, Dec. 13th and of course Dec. 21. Looks like many of those became holidays.

Answers? Wait for Christmas! Er – ah – here:

1) Decemebr 6th, Saint Nicholas Day. Repeat his name about 10 times real fast and you get — Santa Claus.

2) December 7th, 1941. We remember Pearl Harbor day annually in the US.

3) December 15th.

4) why on December 21st of course. Sounds like a good tradition.

5) the Saturnalia, honoring the god of seed and sowing.

6) Festivus (for the rest of us) celebrated on Dec. 23rd. From the Seinfeld show.

7) Boxing Day

8) Jul (yule in our language).

9) St. Lucia (Sancta Lucia). Lucia is a form of the word for light in Latin. Dec. 13th was the shortest day in their calendar.

10) The Immaculate Conception. Celebrates Mary being conceived without original sin, so she could be Jesus’ mother.

Looks like there is something to celebrate every day in December. Get to it!