In modern times, the Winter Solstice is no more than a date on the calendar marking the official beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. But in the ancient world, it was hugely celebrated as the rebirth of the sun, marking the time when our daylight hours become longer.
The solstice celebrations of old were plentiful and varied, centered around feasts, festivals, family and friends, and often involved the giving of gifts. If this sounds a tad familiar, it’s because many current holiday and winter
