The world is not going to end today. Or tomorrow. Or at any point in our lifetimes. The Mayans have been misquoted, and many of the other cystal ball-gazers and prophets of doom are talking out of their backsides.

However, December 21 does represent the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere, which signals the shortest day and the start of winter.

This video shows a visual representation of the winter solstice, with an explanation of the differences in the northern and southern hemispheres, and even a trip to Stonehenge.

If it wasn’t for Christmas then this would be my least favorite time of year. It’s dark, cold, and wet (especially in the U.K). Roll on summer, I say. Or Spring at the very least.