Will you help me end the "war on Christmas", and return it to its basic, genuine pagan roots?

Question

I'm ready for some raucous partying under the evergreen. :)

http://de.essortment.com/christmaspagan_rece.htm

Answer 1

Personally, I'll be celebrating Christmas with my Christian family. Too, I'll be Celebrating Solstice with my Pagan loved ones.

Why the heck do people seem to be so intent of fighting and causing hard feelings, saying "Christians are wrong" and all that crap.

Christians have a God that was born of a virgin. They wish to celebrate his birth, why not let them do so undisturbed?

Pagans (many of us) celebrate the Solstice, or the birth of the God. Why oughtn't Christians let us do so undisturbed?

We're different faiths, we share a world. We share a number of holidays.

Yes, absolutely, end the "war on Christmas", but let's do so by simply ending the war. Who's right and who's wrong is simply human arrogance run amok.

I'll admit that I'm one to charge back when challenged, but my daughters are Christian, and I'd never begrudge them their holiday. I'm Pagan, and my 18 y.o. has never said to me "You're going to hell because you don't believe." The talks I've had with her amount to "I appreciate your faith. Please, believe with all that you are, but please don't condemn others simply because they believe differently."

I wish we could all have the courage and wisdom to fully accept others without compromising our own beliefs.

Answer 2

Just so you know... you have your facts wrong:

The word Christmas itself is a contraction of the words "Christ's Mass". It appears that the word didn't come into use until the Middle Ages when observance of the holiday itself became widespread.

I found it interesting to note that in the very early centuries Christians didn't celebrate birthdays and in actuality were more likely to celebrate a person's death. Therefore, Easter, in which we celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, is believed to have been firmly established in the church by 100 AD. The observance of Christmas, however, didn't begin until the early fourth century. It is believed that the early church was attempting to put to rest doctrinal arguments about whether or not Christ was God in the flesh or a created being. It is likely that there was a sense of urgency to emphasize Christ's birth from a virgin and that led to the spread of the celebration of Christmas. By the late fourth century it was a firmly established holiday.

There is no evidence of the exact date of the birth of Christ. Considering the traveling required and that the birth took place in an open stable we can surmise that it was not in the middle of winter. The Holman Bible dictionary states that the date of December 25th was chosen for practical as well as theological reasons.

Several festivals were held in conjunction with the winter solstice in the Roman Empire. One such festival was the Feast of the Unconquerable Sun which celebrated the return of the sun. "When Christianity was declared the religion of the Empire the church either had to suppress the festivals or transform them. The winter solstice seemed an appropriate time to celebrate Christ's birth. Thus, the festival of the sun became a festival of the Son, the Light of the world."

Answer 3

Hey, all along I've bought into the notion that it's just a way to take a moment in the darkest time of the year and say YES! Grandma's still with us to bake cookies and not too many cattle died either. Life's going to go on. Let's throw down a party. It's worthy of celebration in my book.

Answer 4

Christmas, Yule, Hanukah... same thing! You bake cookies, dress nice for some kind of religious service, and get a load of presents.

But I do Yule, in case you're wondering. *grin*

Answer 5

Basically it is in it's original pagan state and roots. Just the names have changed. Clever plan from the catholic church when it first began to try and control humanity and snuff out any jewishness of the true gospel.

Answer 6

I would love to give christmas back to the pagans. Jesus was born in the fall. Thats when CHRISTmas should be.

Answer 7

Are you giving up the presents, going back to Germany and party in the snow?

Answer 8

I love Christmas

Answer 9

HI, I have some vids pertaining to this issue. One is a response video but I thought you'd like them.

Answer 10

I don't mind sharing it with other faiths as long as they recognize its roots and my right to celebrate it the way I want to.

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