As the holiday season arrives, many families begin decorating a tree and their homes with bells, holly, ivy and mistletoe -- all in preparation for the most mainstream American celebration: Christmas.

Would those families be surprised to learn that these traditions didn't originate with the designation of Christmas, but long before?

Few remember the December event from which Christmas -- as well as many other winter holidays -- evolved: the winter solstice.

What Is Winter Solstice?

Solstice is derived from "sol," meaning sun, and "sistere," to cause to stand still. The winter solstice, which usually falls on or around Dec. 21, is the shortest day of the year, the day when the sun appears lowest in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere. It is commonly known in modern times as the first day of winter. The cycle of the year reaches the other extreme on or around June 21, when the sun appears highest in the Northern Hemisphere sky -- a day appropriately called the summer solstice.

The solstice was recognized by its darkness, if not by name, in pre-historic times by the aboriginal people in the northern latitudes. Winter was a harsh time for these people, and each year, they solemnly watched the life-giving sun disappear earlier day by day. Thus, when darkness reached its peak and the sun started regaining momentum, the people celebrated. Though the cold of winter was far from over, renewed life was assured. In this way, the concept of death/rebirth became associated with the winter solstice.

A variety of pagan celebrations evolved from this association in following centuries. The Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance outline several ancient and modern December celebrations by various faiths -- including the ancient Greek ritual of Lenaea, or the Festival of Wild Women, and the Hopi Native American tribe's Soyal ceremony, which lasts for 20 days.

Yuletide Celebrations

The most popular pagan celebration of the winter solstice is Yule, which has been celebrated for centuries and continues today, mostly by the Wiccan religion. Though there are variations on its celebration, the basic theme of Yule is rooted in the cycle of the year. Yule is claimed to mean "wheel" -- as in, the Wheel of the Year -- but this is debatable. Other possible meanings are "feast" or "joy." On the night of Yule, the Goddess gives birth to the new sun, restarting the cycle of the seasons. It is a time of introspection and planning, and of peace and charity. The coming of darkness on Yule is a time to end problems, tie up loose strings and heal oneself in preparation for the light that signifies a new year.

Wiccans celebrate Yule as one of the eight sabbats of the year. They begin celebrations at sunset on the winter solstice to honor the start of winter, a new sun, and a new year. Often bonfires are lit and renewal and birth rituals are performed in celebration of the event. Dreams and other divination resources, such as Tarot or runes, are consulted for wisdom and prophecy.

The Rise Of Christmas

Almost every early society had some type of religious winter solstice celebration. When Christianity arose, new Christians wanted a date to celebrate the birth of the son of God -- Christmas. But newly converted Christians were still tempted to hold pagan winter solstice celebrations. Pope Julius I in the fourth century A.D. designated Dec. 25 for Christmas as an attempt to override the pagan celebrations -- and, in many cases, it did. The popularity of the Christmas celebration evolved as gradually as the spread of Christianity, usually incorporating many pagan traditions. Because of the paganism involved in Christmas, Martin Luther and John Calvin abhorred it; the Puritans refused to acknowledge it; and it was even made illegal in Boston in 1659.

Many traditions thought to be associated solely with Christmas actually originated from pagan holidays and are still involved in Yule celebrations. For example, the Yule Nativity set, instead of featuring Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, would include Mother Nature, Father Time and the Baby Sun God. Other traditions derived from Yule include caroling, presents, decorated trees, Yule logs, mistletoe, holly, ivy, magical reindeer -- and even the red and green colors of the season.

Christmas Traditions Derived From Paganism

Yule Logs of ash or oak are carved or chalked with a figure of the sun or the horned god. They are burned at dusk on Yule as a graphic representation of the rebirth of the sun god within the sacred fire of the mother goddess. If burned less than 12 hours, the family would have bad luck all year. Traditionally, a portion of the log is kept to protect the home throughout the year and then used to light next year's fire.

One theory is that the Yule log eventually became the Yule tree/Christmas tree, and was symbolically lit by being decorated with candles. There is contention, though, that the Yule tree has a different history.

Decorated trees have been in existence for centuries, though there are different stories as to their origin. It is said that evergreens were cherished as a natural symbol of rebirth and life amid the whiteness of winter. One story is that pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months, and bells hung in the limbs would ring if a spirit were present. Food and treats were hung on the branches for spirits to eat, and a five-point star, a symbol of the five elements, was placed atop the tree.

Mistletoe has not always been used exclusively for kissing. Norsemen viewed the plant as a symbol of peace and used it as medicine. Celtic Druids believed it to be a magical plant -- and an aphrodisiac. Some say that the Celts began the tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe, but other say that is a purely English tradition that was begun because of the plant's vibrancy during the winter and its pretty white berries.

Holly, along with ivy and mistletoe, was a symbol of fertility and everlasting life. They were traditionally used to decorate doors, windows and fireplaces. However, holly was most prized because of its prickliness -- pagans believed the pricks would ward off or snag and capture evil spirits before they could enter and harm a household.