Many civilizations throughout history have held festivals near the Winter Solstice (December 21 or 22). The Summer Solstice would be the opposite (June 20 or 21). At the winter solstice, the sun travels the shortest path through the sky, and that day therefore has the least daylight. In many cases, the day itself was not the reason to hold a festival and for many cultures the date was coincidental. The Roman Saturnalia occurred in late December and many traditions of the ancient Romans and others continue to this day.

Saturnalia

The story of the god is that he came to Italy and formed a settlement on the Capitoline hill. Later, at the foot of that hill, there stood a temple dedicated to Saturn. According to the legend, Saturn made the people acquainted with agriculture, suppressed their savage mode of life, and led them to order, peaceful occupations, and morality. His wife was Ops, the representative of plenty. Saturn, like many other mythical kings, suddenly disappeared, being removed from earth to the home of the gods. Saturn

eSaturn is associated with the Titan god Cronus/Kronos eSaturn is the god of agriculture and the harvest eHis name is where we get the word Saturday (Dies Saturni = Saturn’s Day)

The Festival eIt was one of the most popular festivals to the Romans eTook place at the end of December eThis festival originally only lasted for a day and over time it grew to seven days eIt was a time of merriment and celebration

In the Roman calendar, the Saturnalia was designated a holy day, or holiday, on which religious rites were performed. This important holy day was far more than fun and games. Saturnalia was a time to honor the god of sowing, Saturn, but it was also a festival day on which a public banquet was prepared.

Celebrating Saturnalia eA likeness of the god Saturn was placed outside of his temple eReversal of social roles- slaves, masters, rich, poor eBanquets and gambling eBusinesses, schools, law courts were closed eGifts- wax candles, clay figures eParticipants decorated trees with silver and gold decorations

Traditions from Other Cultures eBabylonians and Egyptians

Decorating Trees eAn old Babylonian fable tells of an evergreen tree which sprang out of a dead tree stump. The old stump bringing forth a new tree symbolizes rebirth. Among the Druids the oak was sacred, among the Egyptians it was the palm, and in Rome it was the fir, which was decorated with red berries during the Saturnalia.

Traditions From Other Cultures eScandinavians, Vikings, Anglo- Saxons, Germans (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Finland, England) eYule is the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun. It was an ancient custom that all farmers came to the temple and brought along with them the food they were going to eat. At this feast all were to take part of the drinking of ale.

Sacrifices and Feasts eAlso, all kinds of livestock and horses were killed in connection with Yule. The meat of the animals was to be boiled and served as food at the banquet.

The Yule Goat

eIn Ireland and Germany, holly was used as a decoration, usually in the form of a wreath, hung upon the door. It was widely associated with fairies. eYule Logs were brought in to burn for twelve days in the Scandinavian cultures, hence the 12 Days of Christmas. eTo the ancient Druids of Britain, mistletoe was a sacred symbol with both magical powers and medicinal properties….now people just want to kiss underneath it! Deck the halls with….

Saint Nicholas eThe true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born in a Greek village off of southern coast of Turkey. His parents raised him to be a Christian, and Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving and became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas' feast day, December 6th, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity.

Christmas e Saturnalia continued to be celebrated into the Christian era. The festival no longer celebrated the return of the sun, but rather the birth of Jesus. eConstantine was the first Christian Emperor, and by the 4 th century AD, the birth of Christ was celebrated on December 25. The Emperor Justinian made Christmas a civic holiday. eToday, we find the traditions of gift giving, feasting, candle lighting, and merry making still survive in the celebrations of Christmas.