2007-12-16 08:16:20 · 17 answers · asked by Julia Peculiar 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because its fun!
2007-12-16 08:18:44 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
well I'll assume you mean replacing solstice with the celebration of Christmas. Well you see in celebrating the solstice many traditions have you turn out all the lights in the house and to observe how dark it is since it is the longest night of the year.......often there is a fire where you reflect over the past year and write down something that you want to cast away from yourself and throw it in the fire then you rush into the house and turn on all the lights and light all the candles welcoming in the sun and have a feast and sometimes a give away ceremony. (That's how I used to celebrate solstice with some wiccan friends of mine).
so to parallel that with Christmas. A long long time ago when christianity was spreading, alot of the converts were already practicing solstice so the early church recognized that it would be just as easy to encorporate the new beliefs with the timing of the old feast days........this time though we would be recognizing how we were living in darkness (the beginning of the advent season) and we would be welcoming in the light of the world (Jesus) the 'Son'. In some churches they light an advent wreath one candle at a time (4 sundays in advance proceeding up to the sunday before christmas and then lighting the 5th candle on christmas eve.) Now just because Christianity decided to adopt this particular feast day to celebrate the birth of our Lord doesn't make it bad. God through His people found it in His wisdom a way to take something that was not glorifying God and turn it into something that would glorify God. Christmas is not lame but is something to be filled with awe that God would chose to reveal Himself in person to mankind.....that's amazing.....at it certainly isn't meaningless because Jesus brings meaning to many peoples lives. Now I will agree with you that non pagan/Christians who created a capitalistic holiday with santa and lights and who can give the most expensive presents have really missed the meaning of Christmas
2007-12-16 16:34:44 · answer #2 · answered by bastian915 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The meaningless celebration of capitalism , as you put it,is a result of the slow loss of any kind of faith in God.
And also an excuse for people who have no religious beliefs to have a pop at those who have. Religion and consumerism do not co relate.
2007-12-16 16:26:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In case you had not noticed, the Winter Solstice is on 21st December. Christmas, which some are indeed trying to turn into a celebration of capitalism, is on the 25th December. Christmas and the Winter Solstice have never coincided, so if you have allowed your festival to be taken over you have only yourself to blame.
2007-12-16 16:51:29 · answer #4 · answered by greenshootuk 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I don't celebrate this time of the year at all. I do not believe in christ. I grew up poor so spending is not something i do lightheartedly. but as devils advocate for the sheep that need to celebrate this time of the year in this fashion. they are brainwashed with adverts on tv. they are indoctrinated to believe that if they don't buy presents they do not care. i realy feel sorry for them. they have no clue!
2007-12-16 16:39:44 · answer #5 · answered by Natural Order 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
too many people claim to be pagans these days,most not knowing what they`re talking about.At least your question sounds well informed so I`ll not level that accusation at your good self.If you are a real pagan you know perfectly well why.......expose the truth person of the heath...
2007-12-16 16:21:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't give a toss about "Christmas", and the mindless consumerism. I don't give a toss about the winter solstice, and I don't give a toss about pagans.Go away.
2007-12-16 16:49:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christmas means considerably more than presents and tinsel-covered trees to some of us, Jules. Just because a lot of people get caught up in the seasonal madness, that doesn't mean that all of us have forgotten the reason for "Christ's Mass."
December 25th is the day we commemorate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Everything else about Christmas is incidental.
2007-12-16 16:21:13 · answer #8 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 4⤊ 4⤋
And what kind of lights would I put up for Winter Solstice???
2007-12-16 16:18:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
cos i couldnt find any cards with the words Happy winter solstice on them -only christmas ones were available
2007-12-16 16:23:16 · answer #10 · answered by buggerlugs 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I don't know, you'd have to ask my mother. We had Christmas in our house from the day I was born, so I don't know the reason.
2007-12-16 16:23:52 · answer #11 · answered by resignedtolife 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋