Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice falls on December 21st or 22nd and is the longest night of the year in the Northern
Hemisphere. In Latin, Solstice means the ‘standing still of the sun’ so people around the world participate
in festivals to bring some joy and laughter into their communities. It is believed that lighting candles, eating
meals that are warm and nourishing as well as singing and dancing will help to entice the sun to return –
very similar to the Christmas traditions we enjoy to this day!
Christmas
Christmas Day is celebrated in many different ways all over the world. Presents are often given, fir trees
are brought inside and people go carol singing. As with all traditions, it has changed over time, but many
still celebrate the lead up with Advent and keep this as a holy time of year.
Every country has a different tradition and focuses on a different day of the festive season. For example, in
the Ukraine, December 24th is known as as Sviata Vechera, which means Holy Supper. The celebration begins when the first evening star is sighted in the night sky.
December 26th is significant in Ireland and is called St. Stephen’s Day. As children go from door to door
singing, holding a stick that is topped by a holly bush and a wren, they ask for money for the starving
wren.
Three Kings Day
At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This
holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this
day in Spain, many children are given their Christmas presents. In France, a delicious “kings’ cake” known
as ‘la galette des rois’ is baked. Bakers hide a coin, jewel, or little toy inside it.
Hannukah
Hanukkah is one of the most joyous of Jewish holidays. Also known as the Festival of Lights, followers of
the Jewish faith light a special candle holder called a menorah. The menorah is lit in memory of an ancient
miracle, where one day’s worth of oil burned brightly for eight days in the temple. This holy time is
celebrated with festivities including eating special potato pancakes called latkes and spinning a top called a
dreidel to win sweet treats.
St. Lucia Day
St Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Scandinavia around the time of the winter solstice. St
Lucia was a third century saint whose death is celebrated on December 13th. In Sweden, young women
dress up as Lucia brides in white gowns with red sashes, and a wreath of burning candles on their
heads.
Dong Zhi
Dong Zhi, the arrival of winter, is an important festival in China. Similar to most countries that celebrate
Christmas, it is a time for families to get together and celebrate the year. The holiday
usually falls between 21st and 23rd December which is believed to signify an end-of-harvest festival, when
workers can enjoy the fruits of their labours with their families.
