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When you hear the word December mentioned, what comes to mind? I'm sure Christmas and deer hunting seasons are at the top of the list. Perhaps, winter, cold and snow are next.
December is our twelfth and last month of the year; however, it wasn't always the last month. Decem means "ten" in Latin. Therefore, at one time, December was our tenth month, with only 29 days. Later, Julius Caesar changed the month from being the tenth to the twelfth and added two more days, making December one of our longest months.
For the northern half of Earth, the winter solstice occurs this year on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 4:48 p.m. This year on Dec. 21, the sun reaches the solstice. The winter solstice is the day of the year, with the fewest hours of sunlight, making it the "shortest day" of the year. Thankfully, after we reach the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and longer until we reach the summer solstice.
The Romans celebrated the sun as it began the return trip north, with a holiday known as "Saturnalia." The druids of Northern Europe had a festival in which they used mistletoe to celebrate the sun's return. Mistletoe is still used in our Christmas celebrations.
December also holds the last day of the year, which is New Year's Eve. In New England the 21st day of December is celebrated as Forefather's Day, in honor of the Pilgrim's landing at Plymouth.
The Dutch, Belgians, and Germans celebrated December 6th as the Feast of Saint Nicholas, a children's holiday when gifts are given. Why is Saint Nicholas used in our Christmas celebrations? Well, since Saint Nicholas is the Patron Protector of sailors, merchants, and children, what better day to have him come than on Christmas Day the day we celebrate the birth of a child.
December is warmer than January or February. Why is this if it has the shortest day of the year? Well, the earth collects heat all summer long. It takes about six to eight weeks for the earth to expel this heat, making the end of February our coldest time. Then, during June on our longest day, it is followed by six to eight weeks of our hottest time.
December is deer season in Pennsylvania. A time when hunters take to our woods. To some, it will be only a brief venture into nature. Perhaps some will not notice the beauty of the December woods, with the symmetrical outlines of the trees against the snow-laden hills. The cold December wind nipping at the hunter's ears and runny nose will surely not go unnoticed.
By December most of the migrant birds have gone south. Our winter birds seem to stand out, with no place to hide because the trees are bare. But nature has been preparing for winter. The animals have grown thick, beautiful coats, while many will go into a long winter's nap.
During December people will feed birds. I'll hear comments, such as, "You should see the birds coming to my feeder" and "I have this strange bird visiting my feeder that I cannot identify." After hearing a description of the bird over the phone, I usually end up telling the caller I can't identify it either.
Well, if you take a jaunt in the December woods, take time to look around and enjoy the sights because December is a good time to be out of doors.
Bill Bower is a retired Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Officer. Read his blog and listen to his podcasts on the outdoors at www.onemaningreen.com.