The month of the dark night that lights up with colour for the festivities, especially religious ones, in the western world and so, clearly in Italy, owes its name, December, to the Roman calendar. The word, in fact, derives from the Latin decem (the tenth month) since the Roman calendar began in March.
In astronomy, the most important phenomenon is the winter solstice: this year it falls on 22 December and is the shortest day of the year, the day with the fewest hours of daylight.
Religious festivities begin on 8 December, feast of the Immaculate Conception (recalling the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin), and Italian tradition has it that this is the day to begin putting up bright decorations. The Christmas tree, the Christmas crib, all the Christmas lights, both inside and out, shine and sparkle, throwing a bright luster on things, light that nature lacks in this season.
Some children, and even adults who fondly remember their childhood, open a door on their Advent calendars every day beginning December first. The final door is opened on 24 December, Christmas Eve; the long-awaited day finally arrives with the celebration of the birth of the Child-Jesus and the gifts left by Santa Claus. Family feast par excellence, Christmas gathers everyone, adults and children, around the table and the food they share is most likely the best of the whole year, both in quality and quantity.
The month draws to a close on New Year’s Eve, 31 December, when we see the old year out and welcome the New Year in, in the hope that it will be both happier and more prosperous. Fireworks and noise-makers light up the sky everywhere beginning at midnight and people drink a toast and offer one another best wishes for a Happy New Year – in the warmth of friendship and love – at least, that is the hope.