Christmas
From Plastic Tub
Christmas is an especially fervent time of heavy drinking in AA circles, during the twelve days of which the O'Donnelly Zodiac is employed ritualistically in a game known as The Balancing of the Sheaf.
Most mainstream scholars believe Christmas originated in the 4th century as a substitute for pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. For example, the Romans honored Saturn in a festival that lasted for seven days encompassing the winter solstice, which usually fell on December 25 by the Julian calendar. During Saturnalia the Romans ate well and did all the things we associate with Christmas, including giving gifts; even slaves were freed during the holidays.
Many Romans also held festivities on December 25th in honour of the rebirth of Sol Invictus or with Mithraic rituals.
