Season of Light

Recommended for
Lower Elementary thru College

NOTE
This program available during December only.

"Season of Light" begins with a look at the winter sky as seen during December. Many well-known constellations are pointed out. The program illustrates why we have seasons on the earth, demonstrating the Sun's path across the sky throughout the year and the tilt of the Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun.

Season of Light then recounts the historical, religious, and cultural rituals practiced during the time of the winter solstices, Nordic, Roman, Egyptian and Hopi. The program also looks at the more light-hearted seasonal traditions such as gift-giving, kissing under the mistletoe, music, decorating with greenery and candles, and the many forms of Santa Claus.

The remainder of the program is spent presenting possible explanations for the "Star of Bethlehem during the period of 3 to 2 B.C.