On this day, the Kalends of December, Romans gathered at the temple of Neptune to honour the god of sea and sailors.
On this day, December 3rd, the women of Rome gathered to celebrate the Bona Dea, or Good Goddess. Also known as Fauna, she is a goddess of earth and fertility. She overcame abuse, and rose above.
On this day, December 5th, Romans of the countryside enjoyed a day of wine, feasting and dancing in celebration of Faunus, the Roman Pan. Only two days earlier, the women of Rome had gathered to honour the Bona Dea, whom he had assaulted.
On this day, December 8th, Romans held a festival honouring Tiberinus, a descendant of Aeneas and king of Alba Longa. When he drowned in the Albula River, he was deified, and the river was renamed Tiber in his memory.
On this day, December 11, Romans held a festival in honour of Diva Palatua, a guardian deity of the Palatine Hill. On her day, sacrifices were conducted by the flamen Palatualis and wheeled vehicles were banned from the city.
On this day, December 13, Romans celebrated the goddess Tellus Mater (Mother Earth) in festival. Tellus personifies the productive and reproductive powers of our planet. There is no life but through Her.
On this day, December 17, Romans began several days of celebration. The Saturnalia, which Catullus called the best of days, was a winter solstice festival honouring Saturn as the sower of seeds. Gifts were swapped and feasts were shared with friends and family.
On this day, December 18, the second of the Saturnalia, Romans held a festival in honour of Epona, the only such festival for a goddess originating in Gaul. Epona was a Celtic horse goddess, worshipped from Britain to the German frontier.
On this day, December 23, Romans held the Larentalia, a festival in honour of Acca Larentia. Acca was deified after agreeing to help raise twin boys whom her husband had found being suckled by a she-wolf.
Merry Christmas to all that celebrate it. And a happy happy day to everyone. Thank you for your support throughout the year. Sorry for the old joke.