um perhaps u should look up what christmas ACTUALLY is. it is actually derived from a pagan holliday, the tree is a pagan symbol of renewal of life. the eating of ham, the holly, the mistletoe, the giving of presents, are alll pagan traditions." the only thing christian about christmas is that you pretend christ was born on this day, which every biblical scholar knows christ wasnt actually born on december 25th.
Yule - winter solstice celebration
Sol Invictus - celebration of 2 deities, Sol Invictus (unconquered sun) and Mithras (sun of righteousness). December 25th was considered the date of the winter solstice, the date that the sun "proved" itself to be unconquered.
2006-12-05 07:54:25 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You, my friend, are absolutely correct. It is widely believed that Constantine actually placed the Christian holidays over the pagan holidays in an attempt to ease conversion. And if people dont believe me, are you serious?? How do you get from crucifixion and resurrection to colored eggs and bunny rabbits?? Easter has roots as a fertility holiday. In any case, I do not hold this against Christians. A holiday is all about WHAT you are celebrating. But please know that the traditions associated with so many holidays are, in fact, pagan.
2006-12-05 08:03:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A quick history lesson regarding some of the ancient pagan traditions of the holiday season that have endured to this day.
I thought I would elaborate more on where Christmas really comes from. It's a tradition that goes back LONG before the Abrahamic religions were even thought of.
Saturnalia - it was the feast where the Romans commemorated the dedication of the temple of the god Saturn, which took place on 17 December. During this time it was also customary to decorate trees and special offering logs. Over the years Saturnalia expanded to a whole week, and ran through to the 23rd of December. In the vagaring Roman calendar the Winter Solstice (celebration of the birth of the Sun) fell in this period; in imperial times that event was celebrated in honour of Sol Invictus and put on 25 December by emperor Aurelian in 274, after the Saturnalia.
During Saturnalia it was custom to give presents to family and friends, most often in the form of food.
Then, in Mithraism, on the 25th, they celebrated the birth of the God Mithras (born in a cave via a virgin mother). Mithraism predates Christianity by 15 centuries.
The Christians decided to place Christmas on the 25th of December to convert all the Pagans of the time to Christianity using some of the Pagan mythology and practices to make it look like it was a similar thing. That way the Pagans would convert more readily.
So no one should feel guilty or excluded when celebrating the holiday season even if they're not of any of the Abrahamic faiths. The end of year celebration of the solstice, birth, generosity, and good will towards our fellow man is a HUMAN tradition that goes back a long time and it seems to me there is nothing wrong in partaking regardless what you believe.
2006-12-05 07:58:08 · answer #2 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Does it really matter when Jesus was born?
Or is the question to make fun or hurt someone for their belief in HIM. Just like when others chose to have his birthday celebrated was when everyone else was celebrating their winter solstice. Before they were being crucified, thrown in jail for their belief.
... They choose this time frame so they wouldn't be detected. It's not like now, where we have the freedom to be in the open as it were. So, whether its a pagan celebration or not .. you could say even pagans celebrate His birth ... every knee shall bow, every tongue will confess that HE is LORD. The time will come .....
2006-12-05 08:24:07 · answer #3 · answered by ahh4theday 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you are right. Most religious holidays could not be practiced in time past, so Christians did their own thing. They took the pagan holidays and worshipped, and those that would kill them for worshipping, did not catch on.
Actually Christ was born on April 6. 0002. Shepherds did not watch their flocks in the fields in the winter months.
2006-12-05 08:01:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
And so the Son came to conquer death.
Even though the date is near a pagan holiday, I am ok with celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus on December 25th.
God bless you, and Merry Christmas!
2006-12-05 07:57:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Catholics made Christmas to convert pagans to Christianity at that time. The actual holiday came from pagans however what it celebrates is Biblical
2006-12-05 07:57:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Western Christmas has a lot of Scandinavian winter rites involved in it; I suppose it was easier to celebrate Christ's birth during the cold, dark months for many people.
For the Eastern churches, Christmas is in Jan. It's a rather solemn occasion for those people.
2006-12-05 07:58:35 · answer #7 · answered by montrealissima 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is a time for giving, being with family and being at peace. If only for one day. Christmas hasn't been about Christ since longer than I can remember. And since most of the world hasn't even heard of paganism, what is your point?
2006-12-05 08:00:38 · answer #8 · answered by 1truthseeker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a christian I am aware that December 25th was not the actual date of Jesus Christ's birth, regardless, the point is he was born and that is what we celebrate.
2006-12-05 07:59:21 · answer #9 · answered by Forever_Young 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To share joy with people.
I'm sure there's all kinds of whacky history to it, but ultimately, it's what you choose to make it. For some it's pagan, for some it's about Christ, and other's see it as an ancient Roman holiday that was adopted by early Christians to disguise their religious celebrations. I see it as a combo of all of those. But mainly it's another reason to be kind and to share what we have with others.
2006-12-05 07:58:50 · answer #10 · answered by Bran McMuffin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋