When does winter officially begin? Winter will arrive.

On Monday, December 21, Winter 2020 is expected to arrive. It also happens to be the shortest day of the year due to the Earth’s axial tilt.

This time of year, which is sometimes referred to as the winter solstice, is as rich in customs and folklore as Mariah Carey’s Christmas songs. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the ancient Celts even built their calendar on the solstices of the year.

Indeed, a lot of people believe that the enigmatic Stone Henge was built especially to commemorate the summer and winter solstices. Time observes that on both days, the arrangement of the stones nearly precisely depicts the movements of the sun.

Given this, is it any surprise that Stone Henge is one of the most popular places for people to congregate to witness the winter solstice?

Even though many people might not be as familiar with the winter solstice legend, most would agree that it has had a significant impact on contemporary holiday customs.

For example, Santa Claus is modeled after Saint Nicholas, a historical character renowned for his miracles, according to Arizona State University. Because St. Nicholas’s feast day falls in the first week of December, the festival is associated with him.

The dean of the university’s humanities program and a medievalist, Jeffrey Cohen, notes that there is a longstanding custom of gloom surrounding Christmas and Saint Nicholas that dates back to medieval tales. Since the winter solstice is naturally the longest and darkest night of the year, society is naturally awaiting more sunlight, brightness, and the arrival of spring. It’s difficult to avoid thinking about both the things that frighten and bring us joy.

In keeping with this idea, on Saturday, March 20, 2021—a day that seems far off—people who live in colder areas will undoubtedly be counting down the days until spring arrives.