9/9/2023 0 Comments Saturnalia dates 2021Saturnalia began as a single day of celebration but by the late Republic 133-31 B.C., it had evolved into a weeklong festival beginning Dec. In Rome, where winters were not as harsh, they celebrated Saturnalia, an ancient Roman Pagan festival honoring the agricultural and time god Saturn. In Germany, people honored the pagan god Odin as they were terrified of him, believing that he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe them and decided who would prosper or perish. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year. People would feast until the log burned out which could take up to 12 days. Fathers and sons would bring home large logs which were set on fire in recognition of the return of the sun. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from Dec. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the darkest days of winter were behind them and longer days were ahead.įor many, the end of December was the perfect time for celebration as most cattle were taken to slaughter so they would not have to be fed in the winter and it was the only time of year when people had a supply of fresh meat.Īlso, most wine and beer made during the year had finally fermented and was ready for drinking. ![]() In fact, centuries before the arrival of Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of Winter. 25, Christmas Day, was declared a federal holiday in the United States in 1870. Popular customs such as exchanging gifts, attending church, decorating trees, sharing meals with family and friends as well as waiting for Santa Claus started a long time before Dec. However, there are none that tell us how the traditions we follow started with ancient Roman and pagan festivals. ![]() There are several stories that tell the story of Christmas as a sacred religious holiday and as a worldwide cultural and commercialized phenomenon, there are even stories about flying reindeer and a talking snowman. For more than two millennia, people around the world have observed the holiday through traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature.
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