Solstice is the reason for the season

It's the most wonderful time of the year. They have been thinking this for over 4,000 years. The main reason for this Holiday period has always been about the Sun.

Winter solstice is the time when the earth tilts the furthest away from the sun. The result is the shortest day light hours for the northern hemisphere. This day is December 22 on modern calendars but it was December 25 on the original Roman calendar. Here is a link to wiki regarding the event: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice

For early humans this event was a BIG DEAL. Their lives depended on growing food and that required sun light. In northern Europe, the days were extremely short and the nights were very long and cold. Many myths developed around this single event. For some it meant the sun was dying and they sacrificed to make the sun come back. Druids burnt yule logs and the Norse brought burning trees into their cave to light up the dark night. For others this was a time of rebirth as the new sun would be born and the process would begin anew.

In Rome two festivals took place at this time, Saturnalia and Sol Invictus. Saturnalia was the week long festival to Saturn which led up to Sol Invictus, the day of the unconquered sun. Sol invictus was on December 25. This was one of the most important Roman holidays and it followed the festival week of parties and gift exchanges.

Christmas, the Christan holiday, did not exist until the 4th century when the early Christians set December 25 as the day to celebrate Jesus birth. The actual date is unclear. Many believe this date was selected because it was already a pagan Roman Holiday that nobody wanted to give up.

Regardless, it remains clear that this wonderful time of the year is a result of Winter Solstice and the numerous traditions associated with the period. Merry Solstice to all and goodnight.