INSIDE THIS EDITION:
- LLC SENDS OUR LOVE AND SUPPORT TO BROWN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND EMPLOYEES
- DECEMBER: A MONTH OF CELEBRATIONS
- HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM THE LLC BOARD
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On Saturday, December 13, two Brown University students lost their lives, and nine more students were injured in a shooting at the Barus and Holley Building in Providence.
The Lifelong Learning Collaborative and its members share the grief felt throughout the Brown community, a community of which we are very much a part.
First established as a Brown-sponsored program, LLC's membership includes former Brown faculty and employees and numerous alumni, parents, and grandparents. Some of us fondly remember working with Brown student interns. Brown faculty are valued guest speakers in LLC classes and webinars, and many of us enjoy the opportunity to attend plays, concerts, and lectures on the Brown campus.
We send our love and support to students, faculty, and employees.
December: A Month of Celebrations
Christmas, celebrated annually on December 25, is a sacred religious holiday as well as a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For roughly two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Christmas Day—which falls on Thursday, December 25, 2025—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.
Hanukkah is a Rabbinic Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple following the Jewish Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.
Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from November 28 to December 27 in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. One branch is placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shammash , "attendant"). Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shammash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. It is the only Jewish holiday to begin in one month (Kislev) and end in another (Tevet) on the Hebrew calendar.
HOGMANAY is the Scottish word for New Year’s Eve which is celebrated on December 31. For centuries, this time of year has been a period of merrymaking for people around the world. Every year as the long winter’s nights creep by, Scotland looks forward to the biggest party of the calendar when we defy darkness to see out the old year and welcome in the new.
KWANZAA is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. Kwanzaa is a time for families and communities to come together to remember the past and to celebrate African American culture.
The seven principles which form its core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent. These principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
Saint Nicholas Day: The Feast of Sinterklaas—At the beginning of the Advent season is St. Nicholas Day (December 6, or December 19 on the Julian calendar). St. Nicholas was a bishop known for his good deeds, especially those that helped children and the needy. He often gave generously and without anyone knowing the gifts were from him. Many European countries celebrate the Feast of Sinterklaas—also known as St. Nicholas—starting on the 5th of December, the eve of the day, by sharing candies, chocolate letters, small gifts, and riddles. Children put out their shoes filled with carrots or hay for the saint’s horse hoping that St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. (Socks are fine, too!)
Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year—but also brings the promise of more daylight ahead. The winter solstice marks the exact moment when half of Earth is tilted the farthest away from the sun. It usually happens on December 21 or 22, at the exact same second around the world.
BUT DID YOU KNOW…?
There is a special celebration for each day of December this year. Here are a choice few from The Today Show:
For a complete list consult TODAY.com:
- December Holidays and Observances in 2025
- today.com/life/holidays/december-holidays-and-observances-rcna43152
December 1: Christmas Book Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, Rosa Parks Day, Wear a Dress Day
December 2: Build Joy Day, Special Education Day, International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 3: International Day of People with Disabilities, Green Bean Casserole Day, Hug Day
December 4: Cookie Day, Sock Day, Wear Brown Shoes Day, World Wildlife Conservation Day
December 5: International Volunteer Day, Light Up a Life Day, Communicate with Your Kids Day
December 6: Coats and Toys for Kids Day, Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, National Microwave Oven Day
December 7: Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance, Letter Writing Day, Cotton Candy Day,
December 8: National Brownie Day, National Crossword Solvers Day
December 9: Anti-Corruption Day, Pastry Day
December 10: Human Rights Day, Nobel Prize Day, International Animal Rights Day, Dewey Decimal System Day
December 11: Have a Bagel Day, Tango Day, Holiday Food Drive for Needy Animals Day
December 12: Gingerbread House Day, Salesperson Day
December 13: National Guard Birthday, Cocoa Day, Violin Day
December 14: More Good Today Day, World Choral Day, Worldwide Candle Lighting Day
December 15: Bill of Rights Day, Cupcake Day, Wear Your Pearls Day
December 16: Chocolate Covered Anything Day
December 17: Wright Brothers Day, Maple Syrup Day
December 18: International Migrants Day, Twins Day, Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day
December 19: Heroes and Heroines Day, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day,
December 20: International Human Solidarity Day, Games Day, Go Caroling Day
December 21: Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day, Short Story Day, Don’t Make Your Bed Day, Short Girls’ Appreciation Day, Look on the Bright Side Day
December 22: Mathematics Day, Cookie Exchange Day, Short Person Day
December 23: Christmas Movie Marathon Day, Festivus
December 24: Eggnog Day
December 25: Pumpkin Pie Day
December 26: Candy Cane Day, Thank You Note Day
December 27: Cut-Out Snowflakes Day, Visit the Zoo Day, Fruitcake Day
December 28: Call a Friend Day
December 29: International Cello Day
December 30: Bacon Day, Bicarbonate of Soda Day
December 31: Make Up Your Mind Day, National Champagne Day
Wondrous December
