Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Winter Solstice - Yule - Saturnalia - Sol Invictus. I'll celebrate in the traditional ways of Japan - with cake and chicken.

Also, "Make Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine."

Winter solstice - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"...the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22... Christmas or Christ's Mass is one of the most popular Christian celebrations as well as one of the most globally recognized midwinter celebrations. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Christian Deity God Incarnate or Messiah, Jesus Christ. The birth is observed on December 25, which was the Roman winter solstice upon establishment of the Julian Calendar. Christian churches recognized folk elements of the festival in various cultures within the past several hundred years, allowing much of the folklore and traditions of local pagan festivals to be appropriated. "
Yule - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"Yule or Yule-tide is a winter festival that was initially celebrated by the historical Germanic peoples as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. "
Saturnalia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"Saturnalia is an Ancient Roman festival that was held in honor of the god Saturn... Originally celebrated for a day, on December 17, its popularity saw it grow until it became a week long extravaganza, ending on the 23rd... Saturnalia involved [...] the making and giving of small presents "
Sol Invictus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun") was a Roman god...

The date for Christmas may also bear a relation to the sun worship. According to the scholiast on the Syriac bishop Jacob Bar-Salibi, writing in the twelfth century:

"It was a custom of the Pagans to celebrate on the same 25 December the birthday of the Sun, at which they kindled lights in token of festivity. In these solemnities and revelries the Christians also took part. Accordingly when the doctors of the Church perceived that the Christians had a leaning to this festival, they took counsel and resolved that the true Nativity should be solemnised on that day.""

Christmas Cake in Japan. Fried Chicken as the holiday meal.

Oh yeah, and Merry Xmas too.

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