Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas Day and the Winter Solstice

Christmas Day is a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Although the actual date of Christ's birth is unknown, it has been celebrated on December 25 since the 4th century.

In ancient times, Celts divided the year into four sections marked by "quarter days"—the days of the two solstices and two equinoxes. The winter solstice, the shortest and darkest day of the year, was the fourth quarter day. In 2012, the winter solstice arrives at 6:12 A.M. On December 21 (EST), the earliest winter since 1896.

The winter solstice signaled a celebratory time, as the Sun began to reemerge and the land experienced a rebirth. Gradually, the fourth quarter day merged easily with the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ. As Christianity began to spread in the 4th century, the Christmas feast day was set on December 25 by Pope Julius I to align with the Roman pagan holiday Dies natalis solis invicti, "the birth of the invincible Sun."

Today's rich mosaic of Christmas customs dates back through the ages. Evergreen branches were used to symbolize life in ancient solstice festivals, as they stayed green in winter. Christmas lights may have evolved from the Yule log, which was lit to entice the Sun to return as part of the jól (Yule) festival in ancient times. Read more about Christmas facts and trivia—as we answer Christmas questions from our readers.

Monday, December 17, 2012

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

Fw: Notify NYC - Silver Alert

Silver Alert issued 12/17/12 at 4:05 AM. NYPD has issued a Silver Alert for the disappearance of Ramon Soto, male, Hispanic, age 80, from Arden Street and Sherman Avenue in Manhattan. Mr. Soto is described as 5'3" tall, 140 lbs., with salt and pepper hair, brown eyes, and a mustache. Mr. Soto suffers from dementia. Please find a photo attached. If you see Mr. Soto, please call 9-1-1.

The sender included the following attachment:

https://phx-attachments.sendwordnow.com/Attachments.aspx?token=8285fcd2-1558-4e11-93ba-5f36b122456b

The sender provided the following contact information.

Sender's Name: Notify NYC

Sender's Email: notifynyc@oem.nyc.gov

Sender's Contact Phone: 2126399675

Sunday, December 16, 2012

REMEMBER THEM....

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Fw: [TheBlackList] !*`CENTRAL PARK 5` TRIAL SUPPORT MONDAY + Video

Here's a video of Sharpton interviewing the Central Park 5 Bros. He also does a promo on a special he's doing on the case next week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntjt1McTZw8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Come to court & support the Central Park 5 suit to end 23 years of monstrous injustice
Monday, Dec. 17 from 2:30 PM at 500 Pearl St., Fl. 18-D

See <http://ow.ly/g3yNu > same as...
sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/18109_10152311860530201_142951604_n.jpg

Directions to 500 Pearl St. / Moynihan Federal Courthouse / Southern District Court: It's that modern skyscraper just northeast of Foley Sq., with entrances on Pearl St. just west of Park Row - or - on Worth St. btw Baxter & Mulberry;
transit: J train (not M) to Chambers; #4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall; R (not N) to City Hall (at Broadway & Warren); A, C to Chambers; N, Q to Canal (east exit stairs, through J platform, to Centre St.); #1, 2, 3 to Chambers; E to WTC; PATH to WTC;
M22 bus via Madison St., East Broadway, Worth & Chambers; M9 via Essex St., East Broadway & Park Row; buses via 3rd Av./Bowery or via Broadway or via 2nd Av. & Allen St.;
map: http://ow.ly/5or1N bus map http://ow.ly/6SK4u

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