Also does Dec 25th mark some astronomical occurence that was known about before jesus was born?
2006-12-21 21:56:35 · 8 answers · asked by kmm4864990 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No one knows what day Jesus Christ was born on. From the biblical description, most historians believe that his birth probably occurred in September, approximately six months after Passover. One thing they agree on is that it is very unlikely that Jesus was born in December, since the bible records shepherds tending their sheep in the fields on that night. This is quite unlikely to have happened during a cold Judean winter. So why do we celebrate Christ’s birthday as Christmas, on December the 25th?
The answer lies in the pagan origins of Christmas. In ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast.
Not to mention Mithras.
1. Mithra was born of a virgin on December 25th in a cave, and his birth was attended by shepherds.
2. He was considered a great traveling teacher and master.
3. He had 12 companions or disciples.
4. Mithra's followers were promised immortality.
5. He performed miracles.
6. As the "great bull of the Sun," Mithra sacrificed himself for world peace.
7. He was buried in a tomb and after three days rose again.
8. His resurrection was celebrated every year.
9. He was called "the Good Shepherd" and identified with both the Lamb and the Lion.
10. He was considered the "Way, the Truth and the Light," and the "Logos," "Redeemer," "Savior" and "Messiah."
11. His sacred day was Sunday, the "Lord's Day," hundreds of years before the appearance of Christ.
12. Mithra had his principal festival of what was later to become Easter.
13. His religion had a eucharist or "Lord's Supper," at which Mithra said, "He who shall not eat of my body nor drink of my blood so that he may be one with me and I with him, shall not be saved."
14. "His annual sacrifice is the passover of the Magi, a symbolical atonement or pledge of moral and physical regeneration."
15. Shmuel Golding is quoted as saying that 1 Cor. 10:4 is "identical words to those found in the Mithraic scriptures, except that the name Mithra is used instead of Christ."
16. The Catholic Encyclopedia is quoted as saying that Mithraic services were conduced by "fathers" and that the "chief of the fathers, a sort of pope, who always lived at Rome, was called 'Pater Patratus.'"
2006-12-23 18:59:29 · answer #1 · answered by AmyB 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not an astronomical occurence, but the convergence of the fesitavls of many different faiths present in the Roman empire, summed up into one holiday called Sol Invictus. Here's a neutral site with some info both about the festival and the various religions that touched base with it, along with some short summations of similarities of pagan gods and Jesus, which you can jump off for more research: http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/c/christ_constantine_sol_invictus.html
ETA: Though if you want to term it an astronomical occurence, it's very close to the shortest day of the year, which I think has been 22 December for a while. Right in around there, anyway.
2006-12-21 22:01:20 · answer #2 · answered by angk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The days between Dec 17th through Jan 6th are festive for almost all old pagan tribes and peoples.
The rites, traditions, festivities, and rituals in Christmas are not scriptural based, but rather pagan. That make Christmas impure and what the Bible call "the unclean thing", that true christians 'flee from'.
In pagan belief, Mithra, the "Light of the World", is an sun god born on December 25
2006-12-21 22:03:50 · answer #3 · answered by rangedog 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mithras
Zoroastrian belief which predates Christianity and Judaism both.
Christs story is an almost EXACT duplicate of the Zoroastrian God Mithras down to the 'Virgin Birth' and the execution.
December 25 is also the actual Holy Day of Mithras Birth.... Christ was actually born March of 4 C.E.
2006-12-21 22:02:01 · answer #4 · answered by wolf560 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Worlds 16 Crucified Saviors by Kersey Graves.
2006-12-22 00:36:36 · answer #5 · answered by Kithy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let me give you a start on your quest. When referring to pagan god's....it is the word is never capitalized. Hence the reason it id called a myth.
2006-12-21 22:02:44 · answer #6 · answered by iraq51 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Look up
Attis
Mithra
Dionysus
Osirus and Horus
Tammuz
Adonis
It's actually a very popular story line.
2006-12-22 04:55:23 · answer #7 · answered by kaplah 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mithra
2006-12-21 22:00:39 · answer #8 · answered by jsjmlj 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋