For the Vikings, Germanic tribes, and other pagan peoples of pre-Christian Europe, this celebration, known as Yule, was originally meant to honor the winter solstice. The Yule or Yuletide ...

Credit: Anna Efetova via Getty Images It's often claimed that many of today's Christmas traditions derive from the pre-Christian observances of pagan cults suppressed by Roman authorities.

As millions around the world make merry during Christmas, few know that they will be celebrating an event deeply steeped in paganism. While December 25 is a day set aside to celebrate the day ...