How the birth of the sun became the birth of the Son of God
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In the northern hemisphere of our planet, the longest day of the year always falls on 21st/22nd of December and is known as the Winter Solstice. This has been a significant time of year for people across many different cultures for longer than we can possibly know, but is at least thousands of years old and probably has its roots way back to Neolithic times.
In China people still celebrate it as Dongzhi. In the Americas the Soyal Indians (North), Mayan Indians (Central) and the Incas of South America had their own mid winter festivals. The Slavic people of Eastern Europe celebrate Koliada and in Russia it's Korochun. |
Mid-Winter Festivals across Eurasia
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In Persia it is known as Yalda or Sadeh, In Northern India, Lohri and Pongal in the South. In Hungary it is Karacsun. The Ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia, and in Northern Europe, people are still familiar with Yule (or jól, in the time of the Vikings).
The common theme in the way all the different cultures celebrate this occasion is the rebirth or renewal of the sun. They are celebrations of hope - that the days will become longer and that Spring and Summer are approaching. Lighting fires and candles are common rituals that symbolize the sun. As with all human celebrations, this is accompanied with singing, dancing and, of course, food!
The common theme in the way all the different cultures celebrate this occasion is the rebirth or renewal of the sun. They are celebrations of hope - that the days will become longer and that Spring and Summer are approaching. Lighting fires and candles are common rituals that symbolize the sun. As with all human celebrations, this is accompanied with singing, dancing and, of course, food!
Christmas
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Before Christianity observed the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December the people of Europe celebrated the Winter Solstice in different ways. The Romans took Saturnalia around their empire from the South and the Vikings and Germanic tribes influenced Europe from the North with the festival of Yule. As Christianity grew in popularity and power it subjugated these Pagan celebrations and absorbed many of their rituals into Christianity itself. So, nowadays many of these Pagan symbols, rituals and traditions are still part of the Western Christmas.
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Whilst most communities around the world have their own special events and celebrations some have grown enormously and are increasingly important for attracting tourism.
Christmas and Chinese New Year have become very important commercially around the world, along with other events such as Halloween. And almost everybody now counts down at the New Year on December the 31st.
Christmas (from Christ Mass) celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians but it's origins in Europe go much further back in history. The Pagan cultures of Europe always had a mid-Winter festival and many of it's symbols and rituals were included to help the peoples conversion to Christianity.
Christmas and Chinese New Year have become very important commercially around the world, along with other events such as Halloween. And almost everybody now counts down at the New Year on December the 31st.
Christmas (from Christ Mass) celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians but it's origins in Europe go much further back in history. The Pagan cultures of Europe always had a mid-Winter festival and many of it's symbols and rituals were included to help the peoples conversion to Christianity.
