9781422276525

associated with agriculture and bountiful crops. As a remedy for the dark, dreary days of winter, the Romans focused on the coming spring. They lit candles and lanterns to push back the darkness, and celebrated with dancing, feasting, and merrymaking. For a brief time rich and poor were treated as equals, slaves might be served by their masters, people took part in masquerades, and a mock king—The Lord of Misrule—was crowned. Businesses, schools, and courts closed, and the citizens enjoyed life to the fullest. Other pagan celebrations of the winter solstice continue to influence Christmas celebrations today. Since Celtic and Germanic tribes lived in the Northern Hemisphere, the solstice was very important—it signaled the return of longer days and the warmth of the sun. To mark the turning of the seasons, ancient Scandinavians and Celts cut gigantic logs and dragged them through the

p  Greek Orthodox Christians take part in a Christmas procession. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on January 7.

Christmas & Hanukkah

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