Medieval Christmas
Existing elements of pagan midwinter rites fused with the developing theology of Christmas in an appeal to the senses of both sacred and lay.
As the European winter deepens the course of the sun gets nearer the southern horizon until it seems to stand still for a few days, before slowly rising again to usher in the spring. Ancient peoples were of course aware of this phenomenon and the Romans, from their words for sun and stand still , called it solstitium, source of our word solstice . By the Julian calendar, the system of months and days we still use (first devised in 46 BC on orders from Julius Caesar), the winter solstice was originally dated December 25th.
this school has echoed around the cathedral square every summer since one thousand twenty. five. i m. there. every month in mediæval mystery play about the death of the rich man is an indispensable part of the annual zotz book festival. the festivals co-founder the great theatrical director and. so the whole city is his stage every street every square seems to be made to stage a play the atmosphere s arts book is imbued with beauty play and it s. all. the ecclesiastical princes of that spoke of left