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Blue Christmas (also called the Longest Night) in the Western Christian tradition is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] On this day, some churches in Western Christian denominations hold a church service that honours people that have lost loved ones and are experiencing grief.
The celebration of the winter solstice (which influenced Christmas) was part of the Roman cult of the unconquered Sun (Sol Invictus). It was adopted as the Sabbath day by Christians. The symbol of light was a pagan device adopted by Christians, and perhaps the most important one that did not come from Jewish traditions.
The winter solstice occurs during the hemisphere's winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the December solstice (December 21 or 22) and in the Southern Hemisphere, this is the June solstice (June 20 or 21). Although the winter solstice itself lasts only a moment, the term also refers to the day on which it occurs.
Combining Christmas and the winter solstice—even if it meant giving Jesus an arbitrary birth date, as mentioned above—was the solution. As Christianity spread across the globe, so did the ...
The date of the winter solstice can fall at any point between Dec. 20 and 23, depending on the year, but the 21st and 22nd are the most common. In 2023, the solstice fell on the same date but a ...
Winter solstice is the shortest day of year, longest night of the year and the official first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Find out about the science and traditions behind the solstice.
Since the 16th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas carrying the Christian symbolism of the Star of Bethlehem; in that country it is known in Spanish as the Flower of the Holy Night. [146] [147] Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus.
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, marking the period with the fewest hours of daylight. It also represents the longest night of the year, and the time when the sun is at its ...