Christmas
Distaff Day, also called Roc Day, is 7 January, the day after the feast of the Epiphany. In many European cultural traditions, women resumed their household work after the twelve days of Christmas. The distaff, used in spinning, was the mediaeval symbol of women's work.
Some modern women's craft groups have taken up the celebration of Distaff day as part of their new year celebrations.
Among the Greeks and Italians Saint Nicholas is a favourite of sailors, fishermen, ships and sailing. As such he has become over time the patron saint of several cities maintaining harbours. In centuries of Greek folklore, Nicholas was seen as "The Lord of the Sea", often described by modern Greek scholars as a kind of Christianised version of Poseidon.
The Adoration of the Magi (1634) by Peter Paul Rubens, which hangs behind the altar in King's College Chapel, Cambridge.
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Marzipan is a confection consisting primarily of ground almonds and sugar that derives its characteristic flavor from bitter almonds, which constitute 4% to 6% of total almond content by weight. Some marzipan is also flavored with rosewater.
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