Winter is a world of miracle, mystery and magic, a time when visions from the past and celebrations in the present inspire hope for a brighter future. While the magical story of Santa Claus and his flying reindeer dominates the holiday season, older myths that explore the human experience of winter have been put to music over the centuries. Ancient solstice celebrations countered the dark-night mystery of winter with story and song, religion borrowed those traditions and wove into them celebrations of light, star-sightings and miraculous births, and all across the planet, long winter nights have brought people together around hearths and fires to keep warm, feast, dance and sing. The winter holidays are a fantastic time for kids, for falling in love, for pageantry and parties, but also for reflecting on past dreams and future possibilities