21st of December marks the day of winter solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere), also known as midwinter, the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. From now on the days are getting longer again.
The solstice has been a special moment since thousands of years and many cultural mythologies and traditions (even during neolithic times) were derived from this.
For example:
One of my original drawings dealing with Inti Raymi.
These festivals were meant to remember the people, that lighter times are ahead. Furthermore the light signifies unity and therefore is a good reason to come together and celebrate.
In temperate climates, the midwinter festival was the last feast celebration, before deep winter began. Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter, so it was almost the only time of year when a plentiful supply of fresh meat was available. The majority of wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking at this time. The concentration of the observances were not always on the day commencing at midnight or at dawn, but at the beginning of the pagan day, which in many cultures fell on the previous eve.
There were so called sun temples in many ancient cultures to specify the exact moment of the solstice. For example:
By Nil Ratan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Supposed author: Nateirma~commonswiki, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
When the Julian calendar was established by Julius Caesar in 46 BC , the solstice took place at the 25th of December, which is one of the reasons Christmas is rated as a Christianised solstice celebration by many ("Birth of the one and only sun god, Jesus Christ").
Originally the Romans celebrated the profane rites of Sol Invictus at this date.
Sol Invictus ("The Unconquered Sun") was originally a Syrian god who was later adopted as the chief god of the Roman Empire under Emperor Aurelian. His holiday is traditionally celebrated on December 25, as are several gods associated with the winter solstice in many pagan traditions.
