December, the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, contains thirty one days.
The name is derived from the Latin "decem" for "ten" as it was originally the tenth month of the year before the insertion of January and February.
The winter solstice (the sortest day of the year) falls in December making the month the middle of winter. The ceremonies and festivities surrounding the solstice were adopted by the Christian Church as Chritmas, the Holy day celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ.
Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ, is celebrated on December 25th. In Ireland the month is known as "M� na Nollaig" meaning literally "the month of Christmas".
Since prehistoric times, the wintr solstice with the prospect of lengthening days heralding the return of life in spring was a cause for ceremony and celebration.
Rather than fight the deeply entrenched pagan celebrations, the Chirstian Church adopted the celebrations and set December 25th as the date for celebrating Christmas.
December 26th is a public holiday in the UK and Ireland. In the UK it is known as
"Boxing Day" after the archaic practice in large houses of bringing
presents "downstairs" for the servants in boxes on the day after
Christmas. In Ireland it is known as "St Stephen's Day".
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