Xmas Origins
t.j. mclaughlin (twp@SHORE.NET)
Sun, 17 Dec 1995 13:55:58 -0500
Prehistoric people newly conscious of the movements of heavenly bodies
became anxious as they perceived the days getting shorter and shorter at the
approach of winter. Was the sun going away forever?
The trees all stood barren and lefeless. Many animals had dissapeared from
sight. Food was short. It was a time to gather together, reaffirm their
unity, forget all their petty squabbles and perhaps even exchange gifts. The
one thing that gave them comfort was the evergreen trees. A forest of
evergreens would be a good place to stay during the winter months, providing
shelter and probably the only source of food. Perhaps they would hang
trinkets or colored stones on the evergreens as if to remind them of fruit
bearing trees they wished were still around and hoped would soon return to life.
Many of the ancient stone structures discovered around the world had to do
with solar positions at solstice and equinox. These could verify for a
tribe's people if and when the sun was indeed returning, when the days were
getting longer. And then there was celebration, Happy New Year!
tj
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I dream of things that never
were and ask- why not?
Nancy Kerrigan
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