I have read that the auspicious date of December 25th may have been intended to be the Solstice but that the degree of error for "making a note on a fence" is why we have the 25th.
Merry Sun-Fence Day everyone. ;-)
no - it is currently three nights after the longest night. The three refers to a similar three days at Easter time.
IIRC The 25th was the solstice on the Julian calendar, but when you switch it to Gregorian the solstice moves to the 21st.