Before gas and electric lights, when humans were slaves to the sun, the winter solstice was a time of great rejoicing. For it meant that the long winter nights were over and that the sun would shine longer and longer each day, giving life and light to a cold dark world.  As humanity progressed and kings and religion came into being, those in power knew that the only way to keep the people happy was to allow for their celebrations to come to pass. So while we all celebrate for different reasons the day in which it happens all

stem from the coming of the sun. 

 

1.  The Saturnalia -  Ancient Romans partook in a 3-7 day festival honoring Saturn, whom they believed was the creator of man during the Golden Age when there was no winter and happiness ruled. The celebration included: gift giving, bonfires, candles and the reversal of roles for slave and master and is still observed today.

 

 2.  Hanukkah - An 8 day festival of lights. Reaffirming a miracle when one night’s worth of oli lit candles for 8 days. People of the Jewish faith honor this time with gift giving, the lighting of the menorah and eating of special foods. Though there is much debate as to whether and Solstice relativity exist some argue that “Perhaps one reason for us to light the candles is to remind God to renew the sun and moon.”

 

3.  Dies Natalis Solis Invicti - A early festival dating back to 270 A.D and possible earlier still. The translation means the birthday of the unconquered sun. Celebrated on December 25th this holiday honored the virgin birth of Mithras an Iranian god. 

 

4.   Brumalia - Greek winter holiday lasting 24 days. Festivities included sacrifices and much revelry, considering the holiday corresponded with the maturity of the years wine. Scholars profess that each day was assigned a letter of the Greek alphabet. Starting with alpha (a) and ending with omega (w) citizens would hold a party on the day that the alphabet lined up with their own name.

 

5.   Christmas - In A.D 354 the birth of Jeasus Christ was set on December 25. Although it was not widely adopted until the fourth century and even illegal in Massachusetts between 1658-1681. Today however,  it has become a socially accepted holiday celebrated with gift giving, decorating Christmas trees, the sending of cards, caroling and family gatherings. 

 

6.  Sankranti - A Hindu holiday celebrating the Solstice. It originated on January 16th which tells us how much time has passed since the first commemoration. People celebrate by exchanging gifts, eating sweets and other special foods and by lighting bonfires on Sankranti eve, known as Lohari. Those who die on this day are said to be extremely lucky for it is also the end of the reincarnation cycle.

 

7.   Kwanzaa - Dating back to ancient Egypt and Nubia this African American and Pan-African holiday begins on December 26th through January 1st. Its origins celebrate the first harvest which derives from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza”  translating to “first fruits”. Participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and the lighting of black, red, and green candles symbolizing: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.