December 21 - Winter Solstice - Yule

'Yule' means 'wheel', for now the wheel of the year has reached a turning point, with the longest night of the year. This is the seedpoint of the solar year, mid-winter, time of greatest darkness when we seek within ourselves to comprehend our true nature. In virtually all Pagan religions, this is the night the Great Mother Goddess gives birth to the baby Sun God, because from this day forward, the days begin to lengthen, light is waxing. The Christian religion adopted this theme as the birthday of Jesus, calling it 'Christmas'. The alternative fixed calendar date of December 25th (called 'Old Yule' by some Covens) occurs because, before various calendar changes, that was the date of the solstice.

Read more here: » Wiccan Holidays: December 21 - Winter Solstice - Yule

Boxing Day is a public holiday observed in many Commonwealth countries on 26 December. In many European countries it is also a holiday, called St. Stephen's Day or the Second Day of Christmas. Depending on its origin, it may have traditionally been strictly defined as the first weekday after Christmas [1]. However over the past few decades, Boxing Day has been almost universally accepted as the 26th of December [2], although its assoc ...

Including:

• Boxing Day - Origins
• Boxing Day - Commonwealth observance
• Boxing Day - European observance
• Boxing Day - North American observance
• Boxing Day - Events on Boxing Day
• Boxing Day - External link

Read more here: » Boxing Day: Encyclopedia - Boxing Day

How I found the holy in the holidays

Merry Christmas. The very words used to make me want to run and hide.

All my life, the holiday season has been a time of wishing for something I never got-and what it seemed like everyone else around me had. Suffice it to say mine was not an Ozzie and Harriet childhood. As an adult, I grew resentful about the holidays. I couldn�t stand pretending I liked Christmas when it was just a reminder to me of the happy family I never had.

Read more here: » Christian Science: How I found the holy in the holidays

A Christian theological definition of Advent according to CARM - The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry:

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Advent

See also: Advent , Christianity, Body Mind and Soul

For more dictionary entries, see » Christmas Dictionary

Advent (from Latin ad to, toward + venio to come)

Arrival; in Christianity a period of some four weeks preceding Christmas.

In pre-Christian Greece one of the great seats of initiation was Eleusis, a Greek word meaning coming or advent. All the Mystery schools of antiquity taught and dramatized doctrines dealing with that which is to come: the mysteries of death, rebirth, and initiation -- the birth or awakening of the inner Buddha or Christos in the neophyte. This was called the coming or advent of the god within.

Advent may also be used to signify the serial comings into the human sphere of a nirmanakaya who imbodies a dhyani-buddha -- a perfected human being from a preceding manvantara -- in order to enlighten the humanity of the current cycle. Such nirmanakayas work in the sphere of our earth as invisible or occasionally visible helpers of mankind.

The "second advent," referring to a second coming of Christ, was considered imminent by some early Christian sects, and is still expected by certain sects today. This echoes the archaic teaching concerning the advent of Maitreya-Buddha -- the next great Buddha to appear in the long line of Buddha-succession -- as well as the second coming of Elijah among the Jews, and the coming of the Kalki-avatara among the Hindus.

(See also: Advent , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Christmas Dictionary

Horus (Egypt, Egyptian). The last in the line of divine Sovereigns in Egypt, said to he the son of Osiris and Isis.

He is the great god "loved of Heaven", the "beloved of the Sun, the offspring of the gods, the subjugator of the world".

At the time of the Winter Solstice (our Christmas), his image, in the form of a small newly-born infant, was brought out from the sanctuary for the adoration of the worshipping crowds. As he is the type of the vault of heaven, he is said to have come from the Maem Misi, the sacred birth-place (the womb of the World), and is, therefore, the "mystic Child of the Ark" or the argha, the symbol of the matrix.

Cosmically, he is the Winter Sun. A tablet describes him as the "substance of his father", Osiris, of whom he is an incarnation and also identical with him. Horus is a chaste deity, and "like Apollo has no amours. His part in the lower world is associated with the judgment.

He introduces souls to his father, the judge" (Bonwick). An ancient hymn says of him, "By him the world is judged in that which it contains. Heaven and earth are under his immediate presence. He rules all human beings. The sun goes round according to his purpose. He brings forth abundance and dispenses it to all the earth. Everyone adores his beauty. Sweet is his love in us."

(See also: Horus , Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,)

For more dictionary entries, see » Christmas Dictionary

Serbs - Contribution to humanity. Serbs have played a significant role in the development of the arts and sciences. Prominent individuals include the scientists Nikola Tesla, Mihajlo Pupin, Ruđer Bošković, Jovan Cvijić, Milutin Milanković and Mileva Marić; the renowned mathematicians Jovan Karamata, Mihailo Petrović, and Đuro Kurepa; the famous composers Stevan Mokranjac and Josif Runjanin; the celebrated authors Dositej Obradović, Miloš Crnjanski, and Ivo Andrić; the prolific inventor Ogneslav Kostovi ...

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Serbs, Serbs - Population, Serbs - Culture, Serbs - Contribution to humanity, Serbs - Language, Serbs - Surnames, Serbs - Religion, Serbs - Symbols, Serbs - Customs, Serbs - Name, Serbs - History, Serbs - Subgroups, Serbs - Cognate peoples

Read more here: » Serbs: Encyclopedia II - Serbs - Culture

Bihar - Festivals. Chhath, also called Dala Chhath - is a major festival in Bihar, and is celebrated a week after Deepawali. Chhath is the worship of the Sun God. Wherever people from Bihar have migrated, they have taken with them the tradition of Chhath, and now this festival is known even in a metropolis like Calcutta, or New Delhi or Mumbai. Teej and Chitragupta Puja are other local festivals celebrated with fervour in Bihar. Among other festivals the Shravani Mela of Sultanganj is of ...

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Bihar, Bihar - History, Bihar - Ancient, Bihar - Medieval, Bihar - Modern, Bihar - Timelines, Bihar - Geography & climate, Bihar - Economy, Bihar - Government & politics, Bihar - Administrative, Bihar - Transport & travel, Bihar - Places to See, Bihar - Culture, Bihar - Festivals, Bihar - Folksongs & music, Bihar - Dances of Bihar, Bihar - Language & Literature, Bihar - Folk Theatre, Bihar - Cinema, Bihar - Cuisine, Bihar - Art, Bihar - Education, Bihar - Schools, Bihar - Universities & colleges

Read more here: » Bihar: Encyclopedia II - Bihar - Culture

Over the decades much discussion has focussed on finding the exact correlation between the Mayan Long Count and the Gregorian calendar. Most researchers in the field have now come to agree that the so-called GMT correlation, placing the beginning of the Long Count 4 Ahau 8 Cumku on the Julian day 584 283, August 11, 3114 BC, is correct. This means by consequence that it will end on December 21, 2012 and most, such as Jose Arguelles, John Jenkins and Terence McKenna, who have taken an interest in the calendar of the Maya, have endorsed this date as the end of the current cycle.

Read more here: » Mayan Calendar: Why the Creation Cycles do not end December 21, 2012, but October 28, 2011

Not to be confused with the Jamaican name for Callaloo, a soup or stew made with dark greens. An Amerindian Dish popular in Guyana, it is traditionally served at Christmas and other special events, it is also Guyana's national dish. ...

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Guyana Pepperpot, Guyana Pepperpot - Guyanese Pepperpot, Guyana Pepperpot - Description, Guyana Pepperpot - Related Links

Read more here: » Guyana Pepperpot: Encyclopedia II - Guyana Pepperpot - Guyanese Pepperpot

Keralites celebrate Onam, Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas, Easter, Deepavali,Bakrid and Vishu. Kerala - Onam. Onam, associated with the legend of Mahabali is a state festival. It comes in the month of "Chingam" according to Malayalam calendar. It comes at the time of harvest and is celebrated through out kerala Kerala - Eid-ul-Fitr. Kerala - Christmas. Christmas is celebrated just as in any other place in the world, with lots of cakes and singing. Being the tropic, Kerala has no snow. Cotton is hung on Chirstmas tr ...

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Kerala, Kerala - History, Kerala - Ancient, Kerala - Overseas contact, Kerala - Colonial, Kerala - Modern post-colonial, Kerala - Geography, Kerala - Administration, Kerala - Politics, Kerala - Arts, Kerala - Society and social development, Kerala - Demographics, Kerala - Social development, Kerala - Malayalam calendar, Kerala - Festivals, Kerala - Onam, Kerala - Eid-ul-Fitr, Kerala - Christmas, Kerala - Deepavali, Kerala - Bakr-id, Kerala - Vishu, Kerala - Economy, Kerala - Tourism, Kerala - Road network, Kerala - Trivia, Kerala - Related topics, Kerala - Notes

Read more here: » Kerala: Encyclopedia II - Kerala - Festivals

A candy cane is a hard cane-shaped candy stick. It is traditionally white with red stripes and flavored with peppermint; however, it is also made in a variety of other flavors and colored stripes. The candy cane is a traditional candy surrounding the Christmas holiday, although it is possible to find them throughout the year. The candy cane was originally a straight, hard, and all-white candy stick. The cane shape is traditionally credited to a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany, who, legend has it, in 1670 bent straig ...

Including:

• Candy cane - Urban legends about the origin of candy canes
• Candy cane - Other uses

Read more here: » Candy cane: Encyclopedia - Candy cane

Karen, was behaving strangely. Her grades were declining rapidly and Karen refused to do her work. There were inconsistencies in her learning behavior. She would learn very rapidly and then shut down; she was restless and unable to focus. After describing her behavior to a counselor, it was suspected that she may have ADD/ADHD and that she needed testing. Karen's mother had reached a point of despair and hopelessness.

(See also: Indigo Children, What is Indigo Children, Parenting Indigo Children, Adult Indigo, Indigo Children Channeling)

Read more here: » Indigo Children: The Joy & Wonder of the Indigo Child  

Fast, Fasting

Abstinence from food for a length of time. A common ascetic practice, it is also a widespread mode of purification with respect to ritual activities or the restoration of health.

In Christianity fasting derives from the example of Jesus, who both fasted and recommended the practice. Partial or total abstinence from food and drink was institutionalized in early Christianity for certain days. Today in Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches there are seasons of fasting before Christmas and Easter and, in some traditions, a day of fasting before participating in the Eucharist.

Muslims in good health must observe a daytime fast (Arab. sawm) during the month of Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity. In the evening, a meal is eaten and many attend the mosque for seasonal litanies. A light meal is eaten before daybreak.

(See also: Fast Fasting , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Christmas Dictionary

In the UK Virgin Mobile was launched as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator in November 1999, and has over 5 million customers. Virgin Mobile - Costs. Standard tariff 15p a minute for the first 5 minutes of calls each day, and then 5p a minute after that to all standard UK calls, and calls to other Virgin phones. To other mobile networks, the rate is 35p per minute. As with all other UK operators, calls are free to receive. SMS messages are 3p to other Virgin pho ...

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Virgin Mobile, Virgin Mobile - Virgin Mobile UK, Virgin Mobile - Costs, Virgin Mobile - Virgin Mobile USA, Virgin Mobile - Costs, Virgin Mobile - Text messages, Virgin Mobile - Wireless data, Virgin Mobile - List of phones, Virgin Mobile - Virgin Mobile Australia, Virgin Mobile - Costs, Virgin Mobile - Virgin Mobile Canada, Virgin Mobile - Costs, Virgin Mobile - Wireless data, Virgin Mobile - List of phones

Read more here: » Virgin Mobile: Encyclopedia II - Virgin Mobile - Virgin Mobile UK

In addition to the strip itself and numerous books, the Peanuts characters have appeared in animated form on television many times. This started when the Ford Motor Company licensed the characters in 1961 for a series of black and white commercials for the Ford Falcon. The ads were animated by Bill Melendez for Playhouse Pictures, a cartoon studio that had Ford as a client. Schulz and Melendez became friends, and when producer Lee Mendelson decided to make a two-minute animated sequence for a TV documentary called A Boy Named Charl ...

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Peanuts, Peanuts - History, Peanuts - Cast, Peanuts - Books, Peanuts - Television film and theatre, Peanuts - Feature films, Peanuts - Animated TV specials, Peanuts - Other media

Read more here: » Peanuts: Encyclopedia II - Peanuts - Television film and theatre

January 1 marks the end of a period of remembrance of the passing year, especially on radio, television, and in newspapers, which usually starts right after Christmas Day. Publications often have year-end articles that review the changes during the past year. Common topics include politics, natural disasters, music and the arts, and the listing of significant individuals who died during the past year. Often there are also articles on planned or expected changes in the coming year, such as the descripti ...

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New Year's Day, New Year's Day - Modern practices, New Year's Day - History, New Year's Day - Specific high-profile or common celebrations, New Year's Day - New Year's Day, New Year's Day - New Year's Eve, New Year's Day - Images associated with New Year's Day, New Year's Day - New Year's Babies

Read more here: » New Year's Day: Encyclopedia II - New Year's Day - Modern practices

Lying by the Baltic Sea and sheltered by the islands of the Archipelago Sea, Turku has a continental climate. Like much of southern Finland, the city experiences warm summers, with temperatures ranging up to 30°C (86°F), and relatively cold winters with frequent snowfall. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 17°C (62°F), while the coldest is January at -6°C (21°F). The average year-r ...

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Turku, Turku - History, Turku - Geography, Turku - Subdivisions, Turku - Climate, Turku - Government and politics, Turku - Transportation, Turku - People, Turku - Economy, Turku - Education, Turku - Media, Turku - Culture, Turku - Declaration of Christmas Peace, Turku - Sports, Turku - Sister Cities

Read more here: » Turku: Encyclopedia II - Turku - Climate

Over the next few years they achieved their greatest commercial success and continued to demonstrate their versatility. In 1980 the medium tempo dance single, "He's So Shy", reached number three on the charts, and the following year a slow, sultry, country and western flavoured song "Slow Hand" reached number two. "American Music" and "Should I Do It" were 1950s pop, while "I'm So Excited" was a frenetic contemporary dance track. All were significant hits. With the advent of MTV the sisters were able to exploit their visual style and ...

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Pointer Sisters, Pointer Sisters - Early Days, Pointer Sisters - First success as recording artists, Pointer Sisters - The quartet becomes a trio, Pointer Sisters - The height of their success, Pointer Sisters - Albums, Pointer Sisters - Singles

Read more here: » Pointer Sisters: Encyclopedia II - Pointer Sisters - The height of their success

Family Guy often includes references to pop culture. The following television series and movies, and even a video game, have been referenced on the series: The A-Team According to Jim The Age of Innocence ALF Alien vs. Predator All in the Family Airport 1975 Andy Capp The Bachelorette Back to the Future Batman TV Series Behind the Music Ben-Hur Beverly Hills 90210 Bewitched Bewitche ...

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Family Guy, Family Guy - Characters, Family Guy - Structural and comedic approach, Family Guy - Episodes, Family Guy - The film, Family Guy - Opening song, Family Guy - Pop Culture References, Family Guy - History, Family Guy - Creation, Family Guy - Initial run, Family Guy - Revival efforts, Family Guy - Return to television, Family Guy - Controversy, Family Guy - Family Guy vs. The Simpsons, Family Guy - Other peers and critics, Family Guy - DVDs, Family Guy - Region 1, Family Guy - Region 2, Family Guy - Region 4, Family Guy - Trivia, Family Guy - Technical details, Family Guy - Podcast

Read more here: » Family Guy: Encyclopedia II - Family Guy - Pop Culture References

Fathers 4 Justice - Origins. Fathers 4 Justice was founded by Matt O’Connor, a marketing consultant and father of two. O'Connor became incensed with family law after a court temporarily barred him from seeing his two young sons outside of a contact centre, following his separation from his wife in 2000. On 17 December 2002, O’Connor and a small group of supporters staged their first protest by storming the Royal Courts of Justice dressed as Father Christmas. In January 2003 he officially founded Fathers 4 Justice. Initially the group targeted the homes of family court judges and family lawyers' ...

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Fathers 4 Justice, Fathers 4 Justice - History, Fathers 4 Justice - Origins, Fathers 4 Justice - Activities, Fathers 4 Justice - F4J disbands, Fathers 4 Justice - Politics

Read more here: » Fathers 4 Justice: Encyclopedia II - Fathers 4 Justice - History