The month of December is usually filled with joy and celebration as those from around the world begin preparations for the most fascinating holiday season of the year.

While it seems as though almost everyone is celebrating, the truth is that not everyone is celebrating the same thing. With that in mind, let’s explore a few of the different holidays celebrated throughout the month of December around the globe.

7. Innocents Day – Albania

Innocent’s Day is traditionally observed in Albania and honors the lives of the infants who were killed during the Massacre of the Innocents in the Old Testament of the Bible. It was recorded that Herod the Great, then the King of Judea, had ordered the slaying of all of the male children in Bethlehem because he was afraid of the newborn “King of the Jews” taking his throne from him. The holiday is usually celebrated with a mass and is typically held on the 27^th or 28^th of December depending on whether you are in East Syria or West Syria. Everyone else celebrates on the 29^th of December.

6. Jamhuri Day – Kenya

In Kenya, Jamhuri Day is acknowledged on December 12^th in celebration of the day in 1964 when Kenya was officially established as its own republic. Kenya had actually become an independent of the United Kingdom on December 12, 1963 so locals celebrate both special events on this day each year.

5. Boxing Day – Global

Boxing Day, contrary to popular belief, has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. As a matter of fact, it was named after the act of placing gifts in boxes to be wrapped and presented to others. Usually celebrated the day after Christmas, December 26^th, in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong, Boxing Day is a public bank holiday that correlates with St. Stephen’s Day.

4. Discovery Day – Dominican Republic & Haiti

Discovery Day, on December 5^th, marks the day in 1492 on which it is believed Christopher Columbus discovered the land now known as the Dominican Republic. The holiday is celebrated throughout the Dominican Republic as well as Haiti.

3. Feast of Saint Barbara – Lebanon

December 4^th is the day on which those living in Lebanon celebrate the Feast of Saint Barbara. The day honors the saint who is considered not just a saint but a martyr as well. The church questioned the legitimacy of the legend surrounding her impact on history and removed her from the liturgical calendar in 1969 but there are a few countries, including Lebanon, who still recognize the saint and her work.

2. Immaculate Conception – Global

December 8^th, in Chile and in several other countries, is the day chosen to celebrate the Immaculate Conception. The Immaculate Conception represents the day that the Virgin Mary conceived Jesus and is considered to have done so without committing any sin. The Immaculate Conception is today considered one of the four dogmas of the Catholic church but when it was first established as a holiday in 1476 it had not yet been proclaimed as such so the people were free to decide whether or not they wanted to celebrate and those who did not were not accused of heresy.

1. Christmas Day – Global

Christmas Day is a Christian holiday celebrated on December 25^th of each year. The day honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, though it is widely acknowledged that the baby was not actually born in December. It is believed that the birth of Jesus is celebrated during the month of December in order to correlate with the winter solstice or some other winter festival held during the Roman era. Despite its Christian roots, the Christmas holiday is celebrated by those of varying faiths and many participate in the traditions of holiday greeting card sending, gift giving, tree decorating, and many others.

These represent just a handful of examples of the myriad of holidays celebrated around the globe. Remember to be respectful of the traditions of others while traveling – and don’t be surprised if you find the holidays you cherish celebrated in a completely different manner when you arrive in a foreign destination!