There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the
ancient sun-god Attis in phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celeberated saturnaila, a festival dedicated to saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. pubjic gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated
the occasion with great enthusiasm.