Today is the Winter Solstice! This is the shortest day and longest night of the year, and occurs annually between December 20th and 23rd depending on the year. Did you know that the Winter Solstice festival in Ancient Rome was called Saturnalia? Saturnalia began on December 17th and lasted seven days; it was held in honor of the Roman god of agriculture and harvest, Saturnus. 
In fact, it is a combination of Saturnalia and Yuletide traditions that helped create modern Christmas as the world celebrates it today. Some of these traditions include (1) the reliance on evergreen plants which is represented by Christmas trees and evergreen decor, (2) a celebration lasting 12 days, (3) the use of mistletoe which was believed to have supernatural healing abilities, and (4) the figure of Old Man Winter or Santa Claus.