of
the god who is light." The Savior, or the New Sun, was the true light
which lighteth every man who cometh into the world. According to
the testimony of various writers, the festival held by Christians on
Christmas eve used to resemble the Feast of Lights, celebrated in Egypt
in honor of Neith. The tokens distributed among friends were cakes made
of paste in the form of babies. These cakes were called yuledows. Dow
means to "grow bigger," or, "to increase."

The Kalends of January at Rome were sacred to Janus and Juno to whom
sacrifices were offered. The Etruscans also worshipped Janus who was the
god (or goddess) of the year. Although this Deity does not appear
among the twelve gods it is said to be the parent of them all. It was
represented as having two faces. Upon one were the letters representing
365, and upon the other were the keys of life and death. According to
Bryant this Deity was called Junonius, from the goddess Juno, whose name
resolves itself into Juneh, a dove. In the Hebrew this name is identical
with Yoni or Yuni--the female principle. On the coins of this god (which
was subsequently regarded as male) is usually figured a boat, although a
dove with an olive branch is sometimes observed.(133)

133) See Faber, Pagan Idolatry.

Juno is thought to be the same as Jana, which came from Jah of the
Hebrews. Diana was Diva Jana or "Dea Jana who is the same as Astarte or
Ashtaroth of the Sidonians."

Regarding the transference of the mid-winter festival of the pagans to
the Christian calendar, Forlong says:

"The early Christians undoubtedly selected this Roman Saturnalia as an
important period in the life of Christ, at first calling it the time of
his conception, and later of his birth, this last best suiting the views
and feelings of their Solo-Christian flocks. The Jews called the day
of the Winter Solstice The Fast of Tebet. The previous time was one of
darkness, and on the 28th began their Feast of Lights."(134)

134) Rivers of Life, vol. i., p. 430.

In France the ancient name for Christmas is Noel, a term which until
recently has baffled all antiquarian research. It is now thought that it
is formed from Nuadh and Vile which together mean All Heal.

Although every possible effort has been put forward to give to this date
(the 25th of December) the appearance of authenticity as the birth of
Christ, still, so far as I am able to find, no one accredited with
any degree of trustwor