Religious Holidays and Festivals, 2004

November 28--Advent, the four-week period before Christ's birth, begins (Christian)

December 8--Bodhi Day (Rohatsu), celebrating the Buddha's enlightenment (Buddhist)

December 8--Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary, Christ's mother (Catholic Christian)

December 8--Hanukkah, the festival of lights celebrating the miracles of the Maccabees, begins (Jewish)

December 12--Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Latin American representation of the Virgin Mary (Catholic Christian) December 12--Advent Fast begins for Eastern Orthodox Christians

December 21--Yule/Winter Solstice (Wicca and earth-based faiths)

December 25--Birth of Christ celebrated (Christian)

December 26--Kwanzaa begins (Interfaith)