We all know jesus wasn't born on christmas. So why does everyone celebrate christmas what is the true orgin behind christmas does anyone know. I heard it had some pagan roots in it. Can anyone help me out here.
2006-12-12 16:57:18 · 13 answers · asked by baby_blueeyed_girl_2005 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
People please!
Jesus was not born on December 25th, that is simply the day that the Church chose to celebrate His birth. The actual time of year did have several pagan holidays, some celebrated the winter solstice about the same time, others worshiped Mithra, and the Roman Empire did have a pagan holiday around that time as well (see your above answers), but Christians wanted to celebrate the birth of Christ. The only problem was that no one was really sure when it was (Biblical scholars have found that it was probably in September, but some claim April as well), but the Church was in a cunundrom about the pagan holidays. So the roman church took an example from the Roman Empire and assimilated the pagan holidays and then Christianized them. That is why we have Christmas trees and other traditions that were not initially Christian.
2006-12-12 17:26:30 · answer #1 · answered by AirborneSaint 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't care what Christmas means to you, but to me I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ the Savior of the world, the Only Begotten Son of Our Father in Heaven. I don't care if it was pagan or not, I will always celebrate Christ's birth at this time of year, furthermore, I will celebrate Easter as the day that Jesus Christ gave His life so that all may live forever.
You all celebrate what you want or how you want to celebrate Christmas, I wouldn't tell you how, but I appreciate you not telling me that I am celebrating a pagan holiday.
2006-12-12 17:46:16 · answer #2 · answered by nevada nomad 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
During the days of the Roman Empire, Christianity was in fierce competition with the Church of Mithras, the Roman Sun-God, for the hearts and minds of Rome. Mithras' birthday was celebrated on the 25th of December, approximately the Winter Solstice, which marks the time when days begin getting longer again. To keep recently-converted Christians away from the Mithral celebration, early church leaders decided to hold Christ's Mass also on the 25th, even though Jesus was thought to be born in the spring and although it was considered improper to celebrate people's birthdays at all (Mithras was a god, Jesus was known to be a human by Romans).
Christmas came to incorporate a number of other pagan European symbols, particularly Germanic ones, by the modern day. Mistletoe was used by Germanic and Nordic pagans as an ingredient in love potions and as a symbol of their fertility goddess. Obviously the tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe comes from this background. However, christian leaders offered holly as an alternative holiday greenery. Magic reindeer were legendary particularly in northern Scandinavian cultures, especially among the Lapps. Yule logs were burnt by French and some Italian pagans in ceremonies meant to ensure good luck and protection from evil spirits in the household for the year. Christmas trees were first decorated in Germany, though decorated trees in general were a much older local tradition. Finally, Santa Claus, which as the Anglicized form of the already corrupted name Sinta Klass of the Netherlands, in turn comes from Dutch for St. Nicholas of Turkey, who was famous for his generosity. St. Nick is perhaps the only non-pagan symbol of Christmas, though similar figures exist all over the world.
Because of it's roots in pagan traditions, Christmas was slow to catch among the religious refugees of the American colonies. Only with the immigration of the Pennsylvania Dutch (who were really mostly German) did Christmas get positive American attention.
2006-12-12 17:13:09 · answer #3 · answered by Fenris 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say the meaning of the season is giving to those less fortunate and in need. From a natural perspective, winter was after the harvests. People had to live on what they had stored away. Giving to people could literally save lives. If you helped someone this year, they might help you in the future; communities had to look out for their own. Modern Christmas seems to me to just be an extension of that philosophy.
2006-12-12 17:25:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
December 25th was when the Romanscelebrated saturnalia, atival of light and renewal. The Christians piggybacked christmas onto this for 2 reasons, first because they wanted to celebrate Jesus' birth and weren't allowed any other holidays, and second, because nobody actually knew when he was born.
2006-12-12 17:01:05 · answer #5 · answered by judy_r8 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can celebrate anything you desire. But we like to celebrate the Birthday of the Lord Jesus. We don't really care whether He was born on the 25th or July 4th. But we really love him and want to sing Happy Birthday to Him.. Plus we want cake and ice cream. Thank-you, no offense.
I Cr 13;8a
12-12-6
2006-12-12 17:22:57 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus WAS born on Chistmas. He was sent by God his Father to earth as a baby to save us. And THAT'S the meaning of the season.
2006-12-12 17:08:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
it was pagan. christmas is just another celebration stolen from pagan tradition.
2006-12-12 17:05:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It is easier to convert than to kill, so they just co-opted the hold days
2006-12-12 17:00:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok then, when was He born?...also, tell me the true meaning of easter, and I'll help you out by answering your question.
2006-12-12 16:59:21 · answer #10 · answered by jeromy1998 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋