The History of Christmas and Christmas Candles

As I've said in dozens of articles and blog posts, there is something special, something almost primal, about the quality of candle light and what it does to the human spirit. Though electricity has been with us for almost 200 years, we still cherish the humble candle.

And you can't go far from discussions of Christmas, or for that matter, any of the many "festivals of lights" that are part of mankinds' passage through the dark days of Winter without encountering candles or oil lamps and such. From the earliest Roman festivals and pagan rituals, through Europe and Africa to the Americas, candles and their humble light have been one of the key factors in the celebration of the winter holidays. So while we don't have "Christmas.About.com" like we have Candleandsoap.About.com, I have compiled a list of my favorite Christmas and Winter-related links that deal with candles and the "coming of the light".

So go make some candles and enjoy your particular special light-filled festival!

• Christmas Candles - the history of Christmas Candles over thousands of years
• Festivals of Lights - from Diwali to Hanukkah to Christmas
• The Christmas Archives - Everything about Christmas you ever wanted to know! All of history and all of the world!
• How Christmas Works - How would you explain Christmas to an alien from another country?
• A Social History of Christmas Ornaments - Trees and ornaments from around the world.
• The Evolution of Christmas - from a pagan holiday to today's traditions
• The History of Christmas Lights - from tiny candles to multi-megawatt displays
• Bells, Candles and the Festival of Lights
• Ancient Origins of the Holidays - Great solstice and saturnalia site
• Moonlady's Solstice Celebration - one of the best solstice events in the U.S.
• The History of Advent and Advent Candles

Happy Holidays!