All - Leep Calendar

"Put on your own shoes" is a metaphor reminding us to maintain humility and a warning to avoid believing you are above all others and selfish in the extreme. For example, Mariah Carey admitted to "The Record" in a November 25, 2016 article that Oprah Winfrey, warning her to avoid becoming too diva-like and inaccessible, told her: "Don't let anybody think that you don't put your own shoes on anymore." Another possibility for this day involves a call to action for the child slaves in Haiti, referred to as restavek. A restavek is a child sent by his or her parents to work for a host household in Haiti because the parents cannot afford to care for the child. In essence, it is child slavery. How does this apply to "Put your own shoes day?" A missionary and educator posted this excellent piece on March 29, 2016, about a young restavek forced to put shoes on a woman and then carry her discarded flip-flops up the hill while the woman took a motorcycle. The astounded educator, taken aback, thought, "What in the world did I just see? Could that lady NOT have put on her own shoes?" She approached the child, learned her story, and immediately advocated to get her into the mission's school. It's a beautiful, heartfelt blog post. Unfortunately, the blog shut down in 2021, but the memory and spirit of the story hold today.

Africa

Dec

Radishes, Oaxaca Feast of (MX-OA): December 23

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Described as whimsical and fascinating, each year, the city of Oaxaca (pronounced Wa-Saw-Kha) in Mexico hosts the Night (or Feast) of the Radishes, Noche de Rabanos. The tradition began over 100 years ago when the merchants of the town square were looking for ways to draw worshippers exiting Christmas season services to their stores. Radishes were at peak harvest, so they started carving them into little people and animals. The people loved them and purchased them in force, using them as decorations for holiday festivities. In 1897, it was declared an official festival on December 23rd each year, the day before Christmas Eve. Today expert and novice carvers alike compete for the best-carved radishes. These are not your typical small kumquat-size radishes found in the produce section. Oaxaca grows a mega radish that can weigh up to 6.5 pounds (3kg) and be up to 20 inches in length (50 cm). The festival draws people worldwide and includes a parade, music, food, and fireworks. It's one of the unique Christmas celebrations in the world. Image: Alejandro Linares Garcia, Creative Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rabanos2014_068.JPG

Africa

Dec

Rajab (M): December 21 - January 19

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Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic Calendar. The word 'Rajab' is a derivative of Rajaba, which means "to respect" in Arabic. Rajab is one of the four sacred months in the Islamic Calendar, during which warfare and battles are prohibited and considered blasphemous.

Africa

Dec

Re-gifting (White Elephant) Day: December 18

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The Thursday before Christmas in the United States is Re-gifting Day or White Elephant Day. A white elephant gift is a re-gifted gift that the receiver didn't want and is often tacky or tasteless. Everyone has received a present that they don't want or appreciate. If it is unmatched by the receiver's personality, tastes, or needs, it falls under the category of a white elephant gift. Sometimes, we receive more than one of the same gift or something we already have (like three blenders for a wedding gift, one each from different people). These also make excellent re-gifting gifts. Today is the day to dust off those items in the back of your closet and give them as gifts to people who might like them. Or, as a joke, if it's a white elephant. It's all in good humor!

Africa

Dec

Read a New Book Month: December

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Read a New Book Month encourages people to try something they haven’t read before. It’s a month that has grown in popularity, despite its unknown origin. However, it is an excellent opportunity to pick something up for the holidays.

Africa

Dec

Reconciliation, Day of (ZA)(1994) Ntl.: December 16

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South Africa celebrates its Day of Reconciliation on December 16 each year as a national unity day. Accepted as a public holiday in 1995 following the end of the apartheid era in 1994, it marks two anniversaries, one of importance to white South Africans: The December 16, 1864, Voortrekker victory over the Zulu tribes at the Battle of Blood River. And one dear to Black South Africans: The December 16, 1961 founding of the African National Congress' Umkhoto we Sizwe. Today is also known as The Day of the Vow, The Day of the Covenant, or Dingaan's Day. It is the official start of the South African summer and is the first of four major public holidays, including Christmas, Day of Goodwill, and New Year's Day.

Africa

Dec

Red Apple Day: December 1

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Eat a Red Apple Day celebrates the multiple varieties of red apples, one of the world’s favorite fruits. Apples are tied to knowledge (Eve ate an apple from the tree of knowledge in the Bible. Children give apples to teachers) and to health (An apple a day keeps the doctor away.) Red Delicious, Macintosh, Empire, Ida Red, and Macoun are the most popular red varieties.

Africa

Dec

Reef, National Coral Reef Day (CO): December 5

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National Coral Reef Day is an annual event promoted by the government of Columbia since 2008. Its objectives are: 1) Development and implementation of conservation 2) Rehabilitation 3) Restoration measures for marine and coastal ecosystems National policies are committed to ecosystem-based programs focusing on coral reef conservation. In 1998, the Coral Reef Monitoring System of Colombia (SIMAC) was established by INVEMAR, a marine and coastal research institute of the National Environmental System and a member of the Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity network (CARICOMP).

Africa

Dec

Reflection Sunday (C): December 7

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Reflection Sunday, the second Sunday of Advent, is a Christian observance. In the church calendar, Advent is the month-long preparation leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, marked on December 25 each year. Each Sunday of Advent has special significance, with specific sermons and traditions observed within various denominations. Reflection Sunday is a time for Christians to focus on what it means to be Christian and follow in the actions and footsteps of Christ, and reflection Sunday is a time of prayer, celebration, and feasting. Advent comes from the Latin word "advenio," which means "to come to." It refers to the coming of the Messiah in the birth of Jesus Christ to the Virgin Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.

Africa

Dec

Rejoice (Gaudete) Sunday (C): December 14

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Rejoice Sunday (Laetare Sunday) when is the fourth Sunday of Lent, and Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent. During Advent, the four weeks following Christ’s birth, priests and pastors traditionally wear purple or blue vestments and the altar in the same colors. Except for this Sunday, when the altar cloths and vestments change from purple to rose, and the Advent Calendar (wreath with four candles) this Sunday is marked by a rose candle. Rejoice Sunday celebrates the joy of knowing the Messiah is soon to be born and what that means for all mankind, believer and non-believer alike.

Africa

Dec

Repeal Day (1933): December 5

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Repeal Day celebrates the end of Prohibition in the United States on December 5, 1933. The thirteen years of Prohibition were marked by a rise in civil delinquency and organized crime, but also the loss of many customs related to the production, preparation, and consumption of alcohol.

Africa

Dec

Republic Day, (MT)(1974): December 13

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Malta's Republic Day marks the anniversary of December 13, 1974, when the island nation ended the monarchy and became a republic. Republic Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Dec

Republic Day, (NE)(1958): December 18

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Malta's Republic Day marks the anniversary of December 13, 1974, when the island nation ended the monarchy and became a republic. Republic Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Dec

Rizal Day, (PH)(1896): December 30

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Intellectual and revolutionary Dr. Jose Rizal was a hero of the Philippine revolution. He was martyred on this day, December 30, 1896, and executed by firing squad. His death anniversary is a national holiday in the Philippines.

Africa

Dec

Roast Suckling Pig Day, Ntl.: December 18

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National Roast Suckling Pig Day celebrates a dish made from piglets (baby pigs) aged two and six weeks—"suckling" because the piglets have yet to be weened. The pig is roasted whole until its skin turns crisp. Its meat is so tender and succulent that someone named an entire holiday after it.

Africa