It's not Jesus' birthdate, and don't give me that pagan explanation, I've already heard it. Please, why have to come to celebrate Christmas?
2006-12-06 14:17:29 · 11 answers · asked by natsuhiboshi_star 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Romans used to celebrate the Saturnanian Festival at this time of year, and when Constantine, the first so-called Christian emporer changed the name so that the people would still have a recognizable date to celabrate on. The date is self was actually usurped by the Christians, because the Romans used to really have a big debauchery for this date, and the Christians wanted to tone it down and impose their will on the populace by naming it Christmas, ie Christ's Mass, and make it a "Holy" event. ( While their priests partied their faces off behind closed doors ).
2006-12-06 17:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by Crowfeather 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably there are two reasons we celebrate Christmas.
The first reason is that it is during the Winter Solstice, which is the darkest, dreariest time of year. Historically, it was when people needed hope. It's also when the last of the good food was available until spring/summer.
Other religions have holidays near or during the winter solstice, for more or less the same reason. Many people believe that Christians usurped those holidays or tried to convert people by mimicking their holidays. That seems a little conspiratorial to me, though. It seems more likely that the solstice is just a good time to have a celebration. Consider the agnostics and atheists who still exchange gifts and go to Christmas parties. (And enjoy them.)
The second we celebrate Christmas the way we do is because of the success of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The book popularized the idea of celebrating Christmas. Apparently it wasn't a huge holiday before that. And when you read or watch it, it does seem to be heavy on the "Christmas Spirit" and light on "Jesus' Birthday."
And, of course, we keep celebrating because it's fun.
2006-12-06 22:25:33 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Bad Day 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It honestly was a way to get the pagans on board so to speak as they didn't want to give up their celebrations. I believe that Jesus said to honor his death/resurection but not his birth....however whether pagan or christian it is a great time to celebrate light entering the world...however you see it.
2006-12-06 22:26:29 · answer #3 · answered by Bomb Diggity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's been going on for 400 years and it's been a holiday or day off for people in the Western World and it good for getting together with friends, family having a big dinner.
I mean, if you want to go in and work all, I suppose you can!
2006-12-06 22:30:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason we celebrate Eastern, Thanksgiving and Halloween: to have fun and shopping.
2006-12-06 22:24:44 · answer #5 · answered by Lost. at. Sea. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one really knows his birth or death dates. I think that day was picked to recognize his birth. As far as why, I am not sure. I know each John is recognized on summer and iwnter solstice. Maybe something more celestiral.
2006-12-06 22:29:31 · answer #6 · answered by Labatt113 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's great to see the looks of wonder and happiness in the faces of little children on Christmas.
Tammi Dee
2006-12-06 22:23:10 · answer #7 · answered by tammidee10 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The winter is boring, cold and depressing because of the lack of sunlight. Christmas is something to look forward to, and is magical.
2006-12-06 22:19:45 · answer #8 · answered by Atlas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well.. people celebrate because it brings them together and they get gifts.. thats all i could say (i dont celebrate) i dont know why people celebrate it when they know its pagan!
2006-12-06 22:21:11 · answer #9 · answered by godisamor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's good for the economy. Also, donations to churches increase, so churches push it too.
2006-12-06 22:29:12 · answer #10 · answered by sudonym x 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋