Difference between revisions 6307052 and 6310620 on simplewiki

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
[[File:8452 - Milano - S. Marco - Londonio - Presepe (ca 1750) - Foto G. Dall'Orto - 14-Apr-2007.jpg|thumb|300px|''The Adoration of the Shepherds'' from a crib made of painted board by Francesco Landonio, 1750, Italy]]

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The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. In Australia its at the start of summer! Hmmmph!!! Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

In [[Scandinavia]], the [[Norse]] celebrated [[Yule]] from 
December 21, Penisthe [[winter solstice]], through January. In recognition of the return of the Sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.

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{{Commons|Christmas}}
* {{dmoz|Society/Holidays/Christmas/|Christmas}}
* {{en icon}} {{fr icon}} & ([[Occitan language|Occitan]])
{{U.S. Holidays}}


[[Category:Christmas]]