![]() This warm weather has also had an effect on the city itself and its businesses. typically, all the El Ninos of the past have generally come later for us in North America and it's arrived just like its brothers of the past with balmy conditions, a lack of snow and really almost jacket weather instead of parka weather." Not many snow shovels being sold "We've seen El Nino raise havoc in other parts of the world in terms of droughts and floods," said Phillips. And it's something that wasn't unexpected. Phillips said that the warm weather we are experiencing is related to the effects of El Nino. "We know the front end of winter is essentially non-existent," said Phillips. Phillips said winter-like weather has essentially been "missing in action" in the lead-up to Christmas. The winter season will officially begin shortly before midnight. It may be hard to believe with this kind of weather, but winter is nearly here. During the Civil War, finding sufficient, edible food was challenging on acc. "Quite something different than what we've seen in the past." Survival during war is often about more than just time spent on the front lines. "It's sort of like if people in Windsor went down to Atlanta, Georgia, or Charleston, South Carolina, to spend Christmas, that's what they normally would see," said Phillips. Phillips said that Windsor may see temperatures that are at least a dozen or more degrees above the normal levels on Christmas Eve. ![]() "You're going to have to not just dream about a white Christmas, it's going to require divine intervention," said David Phillips of Environment Canada, when speaking with CBC Radio's Windsor Morning. It is evident that whilst we may not label the celebrations as ‘Saturnalia’ any longer, the links are undeniable.Hoping for a white Christmas in Windsor? It'll be a miracle if we see one. Furthermore, there is even a theory that Father Christmas’ cry of ‘ho ho ho’ may have even originated from the Saturnalia custom of declaring ‘lo’ when having a good time. So, how else does Saturnalia compare to what we know as Christmas today? Wax tapers and torches were lit – in a similar way to our advent candles, whilst houses would be decorated with wreaths of plants and candles to appear inviting and spread warmth. However, in order to fit their new religious beliefs the festivals would be renamed to celebrate key dates in the Christian calendar. ![]() In fact, when parts of Rome began converting to Christianity under the Emperor of the time, it is believed that some of the pagan rituals, such as Saturnalia, were carried over as compromises to make the transition less challenging. So how did the Romans progress from celebrating Saturnalia as a festival for a God to celebrating it as Christmas and for the birth of Christ? Well, it is evident that once the Roman Empire Constantine became Christian in 312 AD, they realized the best way to introduce the concept of Christmas was to do it at a time people were already used to celebrating. The earliest known reference to it commemorating the birth of Christ on December 25th is reportedly in the Roman calendar of 354 AD. Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture and the harvest, and actions such as over-eating, gambling, drinking, singing and sharing witty tales were all part of the celebrations to honour and show their appreciation towards their God for the successful harvest.Ĭhristmas apparently started – like Saturnalia – in Rome, and spread to the east Mediterranean. This wasn’t Christmas, but doesn’t it sound familiar? Saturnalia, the pagan Roman winter solstice festival which originated as a farmer’s festival to mark the end of the autumn planting season in honour of Saturn, originally ranged from around the 17th- 23rd December. So, what is Saturnalia and how is it connected to what we know as Christmas today?Ī public holiday celebrated around December in the family home, Saturnalia allowed a time for feasting, goodwill, generosity to the poor, the exchange of gifts and the decoration of trees. Christmas, the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, exchange presents and feast and drink with family and friends, is in fact connected to the Roman festival known as Saturnalia. ![]()
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