Four thousand years of festivity
Mid winter has long been a time of celebration. Ancient Egyptians and early Europeans marked the winter solstice – the rebirth of the sun – and the Romans held Saturnalia, to honour the pagan god of plenty
Jultomte/Julenisse:
Gnome delivers gifts
in goat-drawn sleigh
in Scandinavia
Babushka:
Elderly Russian
woman who refused
chance to join wise
men seeking Jesus,
delivers presents
on January 6 –
Three Kings
Day
Gift-
giving:
Custom
traced back
to Roman
Saturnalia
Evergreens:
Venerated in
northern Europe
by Druids and
Vikings as symbol
of everlasting life.
Christmas trees were
common in pagan Rome
– modern tradition began in
Germany in 15th century
La Befana: In
Italy, gift-giver
is wandering
woman similar
to Babushka
St. Nicholas:
Born around
280 AD near Myra in modern-day
Turkey. Much admired for his piety
and kindness. Patron saint of
children and sailors
Dutch settlers introduced
St. Nicholas to America
as Sinterklaas, which
later became Santa
Claus. Also known as
Father Christmas,
Pere Noel in
France, and Papa
Noel in Spanish-
speaking world
Three Kings:
Twelve days of Christmas end with Feast of
Epiphany. Legend says wise men, or Magi, followed bright
star to Bethlehem to present infant Christ with gifts of
gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Orthodox Church and
Hispanic world still celebrate Nativity on January 6
© GRAPHIC NEWS
