Trisha,
                I enjoyed this posting!  Thank you.  As an ex-evangelical,  I need to
claim the holidays for myself, and this is a big help!
Mariana

At 12:35 PM 12/22/99 -0500, you wrote:
>WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONS:
>a.k.a. Christmas, Saturnalia, Yule
>
>
>Overview
>Religious folk worldwide observe many seasonal days of celebration during
>the month of December. Most are religious holy days, and are linked in some
>way to the winter solstice. On that day, the daytime hours are at a minimum
>in the Northern hemisphere, and night time is at a maximum.
>
>People view other religions in various ways, and thus treat the celebrations
>of other faiths differently:
>
> Some people value the range of December celebrations, because it is
>evidence of diversity of belief within our common humanity. They respect
>both their own religious traditions and those of other faiths for their
>ability to inspire people to lead more ethical lives. Religious diversity is
>to them a positive influence.
> Others reject the importance of all celebrations other than the holy day
>recognized by their own religion. Some even reject their religion's holy
>days which are seen to have Pagan origins (e.g. Easter and Christmas).
> Some view other religions as being inspired by Satan. Thus the solstice
>celebrations of other religions are rejected because they are seen to be
>Satanic in origin.
>
>
>
>Origins of solstice celebration
>The seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5º tilt of the earth's axis.
>Because the earth is rotating like a top or gyroscope, it points in a fixed
>direction continuously -- towards a point in space near the North Star. But
>the earth is also revolving around the sun. During half of the year, the
>southern hemisphere is more exposed to the sun than is the northern
>hemisphere. During the rest of the year, the reverse is true. At noontime in
>the Northern Hemisphere the sun appears high in the sky during summertime
>and low in the sky during winter. The time of the year when the sun reaches
>its maximum elevation occurs on the day with the greatest number of daylight
>hours. This is called the summer solstice, and is typically on JUN-21 -- the
>first day of summer. The lowest elevation occurs about DEC-21 and is the
>winter solstice -- the first day of winter, when the night time hours are
>maximum.
>
>In pre-historic times, winter was a very difficult time for Aboriginal
>people in the northern latitudes. The growing season had ended and the tribe
>had to live off of stored food and whatever animals they could catch. The
>people would be troubled as the life-giving sun sank lower in the sky each
>noon. They feared that it would eventually disappear and leave them in
>permanent darkness and extreme cold. After the winter solstice, they would
>have reason to celebrate as they saw the sun rising and strengthening once
>more. Although many months of cold weather remained before spring, they took
>heart that the return of the warm season was inevitable. The concept of
>birth and or death/rebirth became associated with the winter solstice. The
>Aboriginal people had no elaborate instruments to detect the solstice. But
>they were able to notice a slight elevation of the sun's path within a few
>days after the solstice -- perhaps by DEC-25. Celebrations were often timed

>for about the 25th.
>
>
>
>December celebrations by various faiths - ancient and modern
>
> ANCIENT EGYPT: The god-man/savior Osiris died and was entombed on DEC-21.
>"At midnight, the priests emerged from an inner shrine crying 'The Virgin
>has brought forth! The light is waxing" and showing the image of a baby to
>the worshipers." 3
>
> ANCIENT GREECE: The winter solstice ritual was called Lenaea, the Festival
>of the Wild Women. In very ancient times, a man representing the harvest god
>Dionysos was torn to pieces and eaten by a gang of women on this day. Later
>in the ritual, Dionysos would be reborn as a baby. By classical times, the
>human sacrifice had been replaced by the killing of a goat. The women's role
>had changed to that of funeral mourners and observers of the birth.
>
> ANCIENT ROME: Saturnalia began as a feast day for Saturn on DEC-17 and of
>Ops (DEC-19). About 50 BCE, both were later converted into two day
>celebrations. During the Empire, the festivals were combined to cover a full
>week: DEC-17 to 23.
>
>By the third century CE, there were many religions and spiritual mysteries
>being followed within the Roman Empire. Many, if not most, celebrated the
>birth of their god-man near the time of the solstice. Emperor Aurelian (270
>to 275 CE) blended a number of Pagan solstice celebrations of the nativity
>of such god-men/saviors as Appolo, Attis, Baal, Dionysus, Helios, Hercules,
>Horus, Mithra, Osiris, Perseus, and Theseus into a single festival called
>the "Birthday of the Unconquered Sun" on DEC-25. At the time, Mithraism and
>Christianity were fierce competitors. Aurelian had even declared Mithraism
>the official religion of the Roman Empire in 274 CE. Christianity won out by
>becoming the new official religion in the 4th century CE.
>
> BUDDHISM: On DEC-8, or on the Sunday immediately preceding, Buddhists
>celebrate Bodhi Day (a.k.a. Rohatsu). It recalls the day in 596 BCE, when
>the Buddha achieved enlightenment. He had left his family and possessions
>behind at the age of 29, and sought the meaning of life -- particularly the
>reasons for its hardships. He studied under many spiritual teachers without
>success. Finally, he sat under a pipal tree and vowed that he would stay
>there until he found what he was seeking. On the morning of the eighth day,
>he realized that everyone suffers due to ignorance. But ignorance can be
>overcome through the Eightfold Path that he advocated. This day is generally
>regarded as the birth day of Buddhism. Being an Eastern tradition, Bodhi Day
>has none of the associations with the solstice and the themes of death and
>birth that are seen in other religions.
>
> CHRISTIANITY: Any record of the date of birth of Yeshua Ben Nazareth (later
>known as Jesus Christ) has been lost. There is sufficient evidence in the
>Gospels to indicate that Yeshua was born in the fall, but this seems to have
>been unknown to early Christians. By the beginning of the 4th century CE,
>there was intense interest in choosing a day to celebrate Yeshua's birthday.
>The western church leaders selected DEC-25 because this was already the date
>recognized throughout the Roman Empire as the birthday of various Pagan

>gods. 2,3 Since there was no central Christian authority at the time, it
>took centuries before the tradition was universally accepted:  Eastern
>churches began to celebrate Christmas after 375 CE.
> The church in Jerusalem started in the 7th century.
> Ireland started in the 5th century
> Austria, England and Switzerland in the 8th
> Slavic lands in the 9th and 10th centuries. 6
>
>Many symbols and practices associated with Christmas are of Pagan origin:
>holly, ivy, mistletoe, yule log, the giving of gifts, decorated evergreen
>tree, magical reindeer, etc. Polydor Virgil, an early British Christian,
>said "Dancing, masques, mummeries, stageplays, and other such Christmas
>disorders now in use with Christians, were derived from these Roman
>Saturnalian and Bacchanalian festivals; which should cause all pious
>Christians eternally to abominate them." In Massachusetts, Puritans
>unsuccessfully tried to ban Christmas entirely during the 17th century,
>because of its heathenism. The English Parliament abolished Christmas in
>1647. Some contemporary Christian faith groups do not celebrate Christmas.
>Included among these was the Worldwide Church of God (before its recent
>conversion to Evangelical Christianity) and the Jehovah's Witnesses.
>
> ISLAM: During the period 1997 to 1999, the first day of the Islamic lunar
>month of Ramadan occurred in December. The nominal dates were 1997-DEC-31,
>1998-DEC-20 and 1999-DEC-9. The actual date for the start of Ramadan depends
>upon the sighting of the crescent moon, and thus can be delayed by a few
>days from the nominal date. This is the holiest period in the Islamic year.
>It honors the lunar month in which the Qura'n was revealed by God to
>humanity. "It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan.
>Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in
>the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time
>of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community
>ties." 4
>Because Ramadan is part of a lunar-based calendar, it starts about 11 days
>earlier each year. In the year 2000, the nominal date will be NOV-27.
>Ramadan is thus not associated with the winter solstice as are other
>religious celebrations. It is just by coincidence that it has occurred
>during December in recent years.
>
> JUDAISM: Jews celebrate an 8 day festival of Hanukkah, (a.k.a. Feast of
>Lights, Festival of lights, Feast of Dedication, Chanukah, Chanukkah,
>Hanukah). It recalls the war fought by the Maccabees in the cause of
>religious freedom. Antiochus, the king of Syria, conquered Judea in the 2nd
>century BCE. He terminated worship in the Temple and stole the sacred lamp,
>the menorah, from before the altar.  At the time of the solstice, they
>rededicated the Temple to a Pagan deity. Judah the Maccabee lead a band of
>rebels, and succeeding in retaking Jerusalem. They restored the temple and
>lit the menorah. It was exactly three years after the flame had been
>extinguished -- at the time of the Pagan rite.
>
>Although they had found only sufficient consecrated oil to last for 24
>hours, the flames burned steadily for eight days. "Today's menorahs have

>nine branches; the ninth branch is for the shamash, or servant light, which
>is used to light the other eight candles. People eat potato latkes, exchange
>gifts, and play dreidel games. And as they gaze at the light of the menorah,
>they give thanks for the miracle in the Temple long ago." 13
>
>Modern-day Jews celebrate Hanukkah by lighting one candle for each of the
>eight days of the festival. Once a minor festival, it has been growing in
>importance in recent years, perhaps because of the pressure of Christmas.
>
> NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY:   The Pueblo tribe observe both the summer
>and winter solstices. Although the specific details of the rituals differ
>from pueblo to pueblo, "the rites are built around the sun, the coming new
>year and the rebirth of vegitation in the spring....Winter solstice rites
>include...prayerstick making, retreats, altars, emesis and prayers for
>increase." 9
>
> The Hopi tribe "is dedicated to giving aid and direction to the sun which
>is ready to 'return' and give strength to budding life." Their ceremony is
>called "Soyal." It lasts for 20 days and includes "prayerstick making,
>purification, rituals and a concluding rabbit hunt, feast and blessing..." 9
>
> There are countless stone structures created by Natives in the past. One
>was called Calendar One by its modern-day finder. It is in a natural
>amphitheatre of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in
>the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and other
>markers around the edge of the bowl "At the winter solstice, the sun rose at
>the southern peak of the east ridge and set at a notch at the southern end
>of the west ridge." The summer solstice and the equinoxes were similarly
>marked. 10
>
>
>
> NEOPAGANISM: This is a group of religions which are attempted re-creations
>of ancient Pagan religions. Of these, Wicca is the most common; it is
>loosely based on ancient Celtic beliefs and practices. Wiccans recognize
>eight seasonal days of celebration. Four are minor sabbats and occur at the
>two solstices and the two equinoxes. The other are major sabbats which
>happen approximately halfway between an equinox and solstice. The winter
>solstice sabbat is often called Yule. It is a time for introspection, and
>planning for the future. In 1999, the solstice occurs on DEC-22 at 07:44 ET.
>Wiccans may celebrate the Sabbat on the evening before, at sunrise on the
>morning of the solstice, or at the exact time of the astronomical event.
>
>Monotheistic religions, like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, tend to view
>time as linear. It started with creation; the world as we know it will end
>at some time in the future. Aboriginal and Neopagan religions see time as
>circular and repetitive, with lunar (monthly) and solar (yearly) cycles.
>Their "...rituals guarantee the continuity of nature's cycles, which
>traditional human societies depend on for their sustenance." 1
>
> Prehistoric Europe: Many remains of ancient stone structures can be found
>in Europe. Some date back many millennia BCE. Some appear to have
>religious/astronomical purposes; others are burial tombs. These structures

>were built before writing was developed. One can only speculate on the
>significance of the winter solstice to the builders. Two examples are:  In
>Maeshowe, (Orkneys, Scotland) there is a chambered cairn built on a leveled
>area with a surrounding bank and ditch. It has been carbon dated at 2750
>BCE. Inside the cairn is a stone structure with a long entry tunnel. The
>structure is aligned so that sunlight can shine along the entry passage into
>the interior of the megatlith, and illuminate the back of the structure.
>This happens at sunrise at the winter solstice. Starting in the late 1990's,
>live video and still images have been broadcast to the world via the
>Internet.  8
>
> One of the most impressive prehistoric monuments in Europe is at Newgrange,
>in Brugh-na-Boyne, County Meath, in eastern Ireland. It covers an area of
>one acre, and has an entrance passage that is almost 60 feet (18 m) long.
>Above the entrance way is a stone box that allows the light from the sun to
>penetrate to the back of the cairn at sunrise on the winter solstice. Live
>video and stills from this site are also available on the Internet. It has
>been dated at about 3,300 BCE; it is one of the oldest structures in the
>world.  7
>
>
>The date and time of the winter solstice
>The exact date varies from year to year and may occur between the 20th and
>23rd of December.
>
>Year Winter solstice (UT)
>1999 DEC-22 @ 07:44
>2000 DEC-21 @ 13:37
>2001 DEC-21 @ 19:21
>2002 DEC-22 @ 01:14
>2003 DEC-22 @ 07:03
>2004 DEC-21 @ 12:41
>
>The above dates and times are as accurate as the astronomical calculations
>on The Dome of the Sky web site. 12 Times are in UT (Universal Time). This
>used to be called Greenwich Mean Time or GMT. In North America, you can find
>your local time by subtracting:
>
> 3 hours 30 minutes for Newfoundland time
> 4 hours for ATL
> 5 hours for EST
> 6 hours for CST
> 7 hours for MST
> 8 hours for PST
> 9 hours for ALA
> 10 hours for HAW
>
>The winter solstice for 1999 is rather special. It involves the coincidence
>of the solstice, full moon and lunar perigee on the same date. (The moon's
>orbit around the earth is not circular; it is elliptical. "Perigee" simply
>means the point in the moon's orbit where it is closest to earth.) At this
>solstice, the moon will be full and at its maximum size (about 14% larger
>that at its minimum size). The last time that this happened was in 1866. The
>next full moon on 2000-JAN-21 will also be unusual. The first full moon of
>the Millennium will be eclipsed.
>
>
>
>References:
>Stephen M. Wylen, "Holidays mark victory of light over darkness," The Bergen
>Record, 1999-DEC-2. The essay is online at:
>http://www.bergen.com:80/home/wylen02199912029.htm
>B.G. Walker, "The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets," Harper & Row,
>(1983), Page 166 to 167.
>Charles Panati, "Sacred origins of profound things: The stories behind the
>rites and rituals of the world's religions," Penguin Arkana, (1996), Page
>215 to 217.
>Ramadan on the Net, at: http://www.holidays.net/ramadan/
>Janet & Stewart Farrar, "Eight Sabbats for Witches," Phoenix Publishing,
>(1981), P. 143 to 144.

>Mike Nichols, "Yule: Circa December 21," at:
>http://paganwiccan.about.com/culture/paganwiccan/gi/dynamic/
>Maeshowe images will be available at:
>http://www.velvia.demon.co.uk/maeshowe/
>http://www.geniet.demon.nl/
>http://www.velvia.demon.co.uk/maeshowe/
>Newgrange images will be at:
>http://www.paddynet.com/island/newgrange/
>http://www.artonview.com/gallery/ireland/newgrange/
>A. Hirschfelder & P. Molin, "The encyclopedia of Native American religions,"
>Facts on File, (1992).
>J.W. Mavor & B.E. Dix, "Manitou: The sacred landscape of New Engand's Native
>Civilization." Inner Traditions (1989).
>Selena Fox, "Winter solstice celebrations for families and households,"
>http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/SolsticePlanningGuide.html
>"Find the equinoxes and solstices for a particular year," at
>http://einstein.stcloudstate.edu/Dome/equiSol.html
>"Hanukkah: The festival of lights," at:
>http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson040.shtml
>
>Copyright © 1999
>Originally written: 1999-DEC-3
>Latest update: 1999-DEC-12
>Author: B.A. Robinson
>