Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukah.. Call it whatever you like, it is still the Winter Solstice. So, what is so important about the Winter Solstice that it is celebrated virtually all over the world? Read on and find out!

On December 21, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and longest night of the year. The word solstice in Latin literally means" sol" or sun and "stitium" a stoppage. The sun is at the lowest point in the sky and appears to stand still at it's noon elevation for a few days before and after the winter solstice. The days now begin to get longer and the nights shorter. This day also marks the first official day of winter.

To our ancient ancestors, who depended on the Sun for light and warmth, it seemed that the sun was leaving them as it appeared for shorter and shorter periods each day. They feared that it might disappear forever, and they would be left in cold and darkness. They lit bonfires hoping that the Sun would feel the warmth and see the light and return. We still follow this custom in our modern day world by lighting electric lights instead of building fires. As the Sun stood still and then began it's upward climb, there was much cause for celebration. They knew that Spring would once again return.

Ancient Egyptians celebrated the Winter Solstice, as did the Hopi and Zuni Indians. Celebrations also took place in China, Japan and Taiwan. Hanukkah and Christmas, although considered to be religious holidays, are still very much linked in their traditions to the celebration of the solstice.

This is a time of year when the world is renewed once more. It is a time of endings and new beginnings that fills our hearts with peace, joy, love and laughter.

In both Pagan and Christian traditions this is the day when the Goddess gives birth to the Divine child. Jesus the Christ child was not born on Christmas day. In fact, according to the scriptures themselves he was most likely born in the springtime, due to the fact that at the time of his birth, shepherds were tending their flocks at night. They would only do this during lambing season which was in the early spring and not at midwinter. Factually speaking, his birthday was determined in approximately 273 AD, which coincided well with the birth of other mid-winter Gods. But, regardless of that fact, his birth was a holy event and that it should be celebrated on the Winter Solstice which harkens death and rebirth is a fitting tribute to him.

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