Christmas is pagan. Pagan Religions and Sun Worship.
Or in words stated by the New York Times in 1875, when you examine it, "Christmas recalls a pagan saturnalia rather than a Christian festival" (NY Times, 1875) 2. ” Scholars have tried to connect the “Yule” holiday, which was rooted in paganism with Christmas; however, these holidays are not connected in any way. #RedPenLogic #StandtoReason #Apologetics #Christianity #M Who invented Christmas? Historian Lucy Worsley traces the roots of Christmas by exploring the Anglo-Saxon tradition, wassailing where people sing to the apple trees to celebrate the winter solstice. Learn all about the history and meaning of Christmas, it's origins both Christian and Pagan celebrations Dec 17, 2016 · Rooted in the cyclical pagan year, Christmas can be linked back to the celebration of the Winter Solstice around December 21st, a time when the night was at its longest, and the coming of the “light” was celebrated and revered. There certainly were pagan festivals around this time of year, but ancient sources show that Yeshua’s disciples were already celebrating Christmas on December 25th long before Constantine [1]. If you have a religious or cultural axe to grind, please sharpen it somewhere else. P. Dec 25, 2019 · Incorporation of Pagan Elements: As Christianity spread, Christmas absorbed elements from pre-existing pagan winter festivals, such as the Roman Saturnalia and the Germanic Yule, to help facilitate the conversion of non-Christians. In 2018 there was this CBS article. The Cath Dec 13, 2021 · The claim that Christmas is either a pagan holiday or was selected as a date to co-opt a pagan holiday, centers around the festival of Sol Invictus – the celebration of the unconquered Sun. [1] The Old English ġēol or ġēohol and ġēola or ġēoli indicate the 12-day festival of "Yule" (later: "Christmastide"), the latter indicating the month of "Yule", whereby ǣrra ġēola referred to the period before the Yule festival (December) and æftera ġēola Dec 23, 2015 · Christmas trees are fairly moden, and ivy (female) being burnt together at the pagan festival of Beltane. The amalgamation of diverse cultural influences has significantly shaped the […] Dec 1, 2014 · In more recent years, with the popularity of such books as The Da Vinci Code, there seems to be a renewed interest in discrediting the origins of Christmas. 5, “Christmas,” p. The question arises of why everyone seems to be so thoroughly convinced that Christmas is pagan, even though there is virtually no evidence linking any modern Christmas traditions to ancient paganism. These traditions often revolve around the winter solstice, the worship of nature deities, and the celebration of abundance. Dec 20, 2023 · Some refrain from celebrating Christmas because they see a link between the traditions surrounding the holiday and similar practices in ancient pagan rituals. ” 2 According to the Philocalian Calendar of 354 a. Many wonder, is Christmas a purely pagan festival? Let’s consider some of the pagan elements incorporated in this popular holiday. It was a pagan celebration of the unconquered sun (natalis solis invicti), which at the winter solstice begins again to show an increase in light”. But what is the religious significance? While there is no overt reference to an evergreen treen in relation to the actual birth story of Christ, believers have attached religious meaning to the once pagan symbol. For more please visit https://www. Both medieval and modern sources claim that the early Church during the 300s solemnized the Nativity on this particular day to counter the pagan feast of Natalis Invicti, “Birth of the Unconquerable One. Some modern celebrations of Yule attempt to re-create ancient traditions, while others have been adapted or reimagined to suit contemporary personal and religious practices. Among other things, he would decree that worship for Christianity switch from the seventh day Sabbath to the first day of the week – Sun-day – the day superstitious heathens worshiped the sun. Bible verses about Celebrating Pagan Christmas Holidays. This is probably the one that I want to emphasize the most. Pagan Religions and Sun Worship. Saturnalia No, Christmas isn’t a pagan holiday, but there are elements of the holiday that can be linked to paganism. Dec 1, 2012 · Greg sets the record straight on some old rumors about the origin of Christmas and separates the concepts of the meaning of Christmas from the spirit of Christmas. *Everything* to do with Christmas is really 'pagan' (and so 'bad') Some Christmas traditions do have pre-Christian connections to them, from the past; but so do many things in 'western' culture! (The names for the days of the week and most months of year have 'pagan' roots) Where any Christmas traditions have pagan/pre-Christian backgrounds Dec 23, 2016 · But various Christmas traditions come from ancient pagan festivities, including the Roman celebration of the Saturnalia. Fox News, the largest cable news network, does indeed deny Christmas' pagan roots and considers any attempt to worship Christmas differently, an "attack" on Christianity, making a big deal about it. Dec 1, 2022 · Christmastime is truly the most wonderful time of year—the lights, the music, the holiday cheer. 1 However, Christmas is also a uniquely Christian holiday; its core message is about a personal Dec 1, 2020 · For even when Christmas is used superficially, we’re still confronted with the strange and wonderful concept of Immanuel: God with us. Aug 2, 2023 · To this day, however, hints of these ancient faiths and rituals can be found in some of the most popular Christmas traditions. We see the impact of his influence in Genesis 11, when the people he led rebelled against God’s command to spread throughout the earth. Many have pre-Christian beginnings in pagan festivals that were celebrated by the pagan populace around the… Nov 18, 2020 · When you think of Christmas Day, one of the first images that comes to mind is the Christmas tree. S. But instead the new monotheism was integrated and recontextualized using old symbols and divinities. What is paganism? First, it’s important to demystify the “pagan. Find out how pagan traditions influenced the celebration of Christmas in different cultures and regions. He noted the connection between the predominantly English tradition The most wonderful time of year -- the tree, the lights, the cider -- oh, and don't forget the stories about how Christmas is a pagan holiday basically stole Likewise, it isn't accurate to call Christmas a pagan holiday. Christians believe that, in Christ, God entered the human race and so deserves the title Immanuel or “God With Us” (Matthew 1:23). Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church…. This includes the practice of exchanging gifts, decorating houses and trees, door-to-door carollers, the use of holly and mistletoe, and even the kind of food that is usually prepared. Dec 23, 2012 · Pagan, or non-Christian, traditions show up in this beloved winter holiday, a consequence of early church leaders melding Jesus' nativity celebration with pre-existing midwinter festivals. As you uncover the truth, you will see that this Many Christmas traditions originate from various pagan practices that predate Christianity. Dec 28, 2023 · So notice he’s still convoluting two points. Here are two of the objections you might meet, and a helpful way to respond to each. It was certainly not a holy day instituted in the Bible. 1. Let's dive into some of the pagan origins of Christmas and how Christians should handle the controversy. Online skeptics and well-intentioned Christians alike will tell you that Christmas is actually a pagan holiday that was “baptized” by the early church to… Dec 16, 2023 · Christmas, a globally recognized holiday observed by millions worldwide, is commonly associated with Christian traditions commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Dec 1, 2021 · The evidence is clear: Christmas is a pagan holiday, God does not want to be worshiped using pagan traditions, and Jesus Christ condemns as hypocrites those who ignore God’s commands in order to keep traditions of any kind. A lot of popular practices associated with Christmas such as kissing under the mistletoe, and decorating trees with holly were inspired by pre-Christian traditions. Paganism is commonly used to refer to various religions that existed during Antiquity and the Middle Ages, such as the Greco-Roman religions of the Roman Empire, including the Roman imperial cult, the various mystery religions, religious philosophies such as Neoplatonism and Gnosticism, and more localized ethnic Dec 13, 2022 · For many Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Santa Claus is inspired by Odin The Christmas tree comes from the yule log. And if Christmas is a pagan holiday, what should Christians do? We investigated the roots of Christmas to see what history (and the experts) had to say. Dec 6, 1999 · So the meaning of the first Christmas was not pagan; it was a celebration of the Word manifest in flesh. Dec 25, 2022 · At this point we should ask a pretty important question. They called it the Feast of Saturnalia, and it was celebrated towards the end of our calendar year, so anywhere from mid-November through the end of December. If you are a Pagan, then yes, you will celebrate December 25th and do various customs that are similar to Christmas - considering the Christians thousands of years ago, tried to get Pagans to worship their god, instead of the gods the Pagans worshipped, they decided to make up a religious holiday on the same Pagan holiday and use their customs Every year, the falsehood is spread that Christmas is a "pagan" holiday, or has "pagan" origins. Christmas is the Christian remembrance and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Sep 28, 2018 · There are many Christians that think its pagan, and that Jesus wasn't born on the 25th of December. Throughout Europe’s Christianization, paganism and other polytheistic religions were deemed wrong and ungodly. Dec 25, 2019 · It's probably due to the fact December 25th, was a Sacred holiday dedicated to a pagan style of worship (an as I understand this worship has never really gone away). Mar 17, 2023 · This special day is filled with traditions such as gift-giving, decorating trees, and sharing meals with loved ones. Jan 9, 2004 · You've raised a good question. As Christmas was adopted across different cultures and epochs, these pagan customs were gradually assimilated and Christianised. I love Christmas! I have known for many decades that it is NOT the day of Jesus’ Birth. That is understandable, considering the pagan impact that inspired Christmas celebrations over the decades. It is important to note that the link between Christ and Constantine's sun god was light Dec 20, 2022 · Along with establishing gift giving as an obligatory Christmas practice within his family, Albert also introduced the British to the Christmas tree, which gradually replaced the more traditional English Yule log as the required Christmas decor in the English-speaking world. You seem like a Christian who is trying desperately to hold on to some level of purity. Some say its not pagan and that Jesus was born in the 25. Here are three ways Christmas is connected to paganism: 1. In other words, the only The pre-Christian festival originated in Scandinavia and was later subsumed, along with other pagan celebrations, into the Christian holiday of Christmas. Dec 21, 2012 · Now, this tiring “Christmas is a pagan holiday” stuff goes around every year, but most of the assertions that accompany it (like kissing under the mistletoe is a druidic fertility ritual) are For u/return2ozma and anyone interested in a very detailed explanation, I’d recommend the post Pagan Christmas by Tim O’Neill which dispels the myth that Christmas is pagan. That’s one explanation, and that would be back in the Roman days, not just later in the Germanic time. Dec 20, 2022 · Growing up I was taught that the date of Christmas, December 25th, was a borrowed pagan festival. I always did find Christmas weird as a kid, but I am not a person who really is that knowledgeable about it. Christmas—the celebration of the Dec 21, 2023 · One of those traditions is the Christmas holiday—which has deep roots in paganism. Christmas customs are an evolution from the times that long antedated the Christian period—a descent from seasonal, pagan, religious and national practices, hedged about with legend and tradition (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1959, vol. Jesus’s Birthday Bash. Dec 5, 2017 · Saturnalia, held in mid-December, is an ancient Roman pagan festival honoring the agricultural god Saturn. Let me begin by cutting and pasting the commentary on these verses from the Bible Knowledge Commentary: Jeremiah 10:1-5. And that sun behind Jesus? Sol Invictus, a Roman holiday celebrating the birth of Solaris, the Roman variant of Helios. A lot of popular traditions that are associated with Christmas are not indeed Christian in origin. Christmas was even briefly outlawed in Massachusetts in 1659 and in England in the mid-1600s as being unbiblical. Depiction from 1887 showing two Roman women offering a sacrifice to the goddess Vesta. Dec 24, 2016 · “The paganism in Christmas” is thus seen as fully-pagan inclusions, at odds with the overt Nativity message. One of Oct 27, 2009 · Krampus, the half-man, half-goat counterpart to St. [3] The word is recorded as Crīstesmæsse in 1038 and Cristes-messe in 1131. Dec 5, 2021 · It turns out pagan traditions are everywhere at Christmas, so when you’re decorating your tree this year, think about our druid ancestors and what they would have made of your handiwork. What do brightly lit trees and mistletoe have to do with the birth of a prophet in Dec 17, 2022 · Did Christmas Come From a Pagan “Holiday”? To start, there is nothing “holy” about anything pagan. com/@epiphanybyzantinecatholicc603 & please say 3 Hail Marys for the priest. In fact, the Pagan culture has had a great influence on our civilization, such as the names of the days of the week. How the world celebrates Christmas/pagan day. Dec 20, 2016 · Holly and Ivy are often linked together at Christmas; this goes back much further, to the idea of the holly (male) and ivy (female) being burnt together at the pagan festival of Beltane. (Linked to the pagan goddess eostre, pronouncing it out loud will even show why the holiday is called easter) Every year, about the same time retail store start pumping holiday tunes through the speakers, a curious phenomenon begins. Some, including the This is how Christmas came to be celebrated on the Roman holiday of Saturnalia, and it was from the pagan holiday that many of the customs of Christmas had their roots. Nov 16, 2023 · Christmas is the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on December 25. When the saint learned in 723 A. Around 200 BCE, the mystery cult of the goddess Cybele was popular in Rome and its surrounding areas. . that people worshipped a Donar Oak (Thunder Oak) dedicated to the Norse god Thor, he chopped it off. Dec 24, 2022 · The close association of pagan festivals with Christmas, though, allowed Christians to amplify certain elements of the Jesus story and capitalize on the celebration’s similarity to more familiar Christmas is not Christian because most Christmas traditions come from paganism, not the Bible. 16. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3. In this article, we explore some of these pagan Christmas Dec 24, 2019 · Christmas pagan SUB: Pastor Emanuel Millen busts some myths about the “most wonderful time of the year. Ok but Christmas is a pagan holiday. They’ve heard that the timing of Christmas may have been borrowed from Roman sun god worship. Just because Christmas had a pagan origin in the year 274 AD, it does not mean that all who celebrate it today partake of a pagan festival. What if these supposed defects in Christmas’ origins actually complete it? It seems to me that Christians taking a pagan holiday, claiming it as their own, and then transforming it from a mystical recognition of the seasons and into a spiritual recognition of the means of redemption is a pretty perfect illustration of us, salvation and Dec 5, 2018 · Supposedly, Christmas is secretly pagan, secretly syncretist, secretly a co-opting of pagan stuff and ignorantly claiming it to be Christian. Dec 23, 2022 · It’s often repeated that Christmas is a stolen festival — that Christians appropriated pagan ideas and celebrations as an act of suppression. Most of these issues surround the place that various pagan symbols and dates may have played in forming our current celebration. The Triumph of Christianity over Paganism, a painting by Gustave Doré (1899). Not only Christmas as a whole but also the festivities associated with it are of pagan origin. The Twelve Days of Christmas Song Poster. Since Dec 11, 2020 · Legend has it that the first Christmas tree can be traced to Saint Boniface, an eighth-century English missionary to the Pagan tribes in the land that became Germany. It's simply someone trying to correct a perspective that you don't hold, which they based on a generalization, like informing a Mormon that coffee OF COURSE the Puritans banned Christmas. In fact, most of the cultural aspects we associate with Christmas are steeped in pagan roots. Midwinter has had a profound impact on the Christian holiday of Christmas. Krampus origins begin with pagan celebrations of the Dec 24, 2023 · However, many Christmas traditions have their origin in the winter solstice celebrations of ancient Romans and other pagan people, which were celebrated to welcome seasonal changes. Dec 7, 2014 · The pagan festivals may have officially disappeared but traces of the old ways remained. Or that the star on top of the Christmas tree comes from astrological worship. Some say it is and that Jesus was probably born before December even happened. ” Commonly referred to as “The most wonderful time of the year”, Christmas sees an increase in generosity, families and friends gathering together, and Jesus celebrated. [4] Crīst (genitive Crīstes) is from the Greek Χριστός (Khrīstos, 'Christ'), a translation of the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (Māšîaḥ, 'Messiah'), meaning 'anointed'; [5] [6] and mæsse is from the Latin missa, the celebration of the Dec 15, 2015 · Is Jesus just a rehashed pagan deity? Is December 25th is the birthday of pagan gods? Christmas trees are pagan? Where did Santa come from? Is there anything Dec 21, 2012 · Now, this tiring “Christmas is a pagan holiday” stuff goes around every year, but most of the assertions that accompany it (like kissing under the mistletoe is a druidic fertility ritual) are never backed up by historical evidence: we’re just never informed where these assertions come from. Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion Is Christmas in fact a pagan festival, that Christians have made their own? Join Tom and Dominic as they delve into the roots of Christmas, the importance of the Roman festival of Saturnalia, the cult of Sol Invictus, and much more. We discovered some surprising truths about what Christmas is, how it has changed, and how we should honor and celebrate the birth of Christ. In this article, we will explore the rich and complex history of Christmas, from its pagan roots to modern-day traditions. Dec 16, 2018 · <p>An increasing number of Christians have come to believe that Christmas is derived from paganism. Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. org, accessed October 4, 2022). Now the ethics of how Christmas came to be may be a different conversation. It has its roots within the bowels of ancient Babylon. It's simply Pro-History. Anything you do for pagan reasons will become pagan, anything you do without pagan reasons isn't pagan. Likewise, I personally expect non-Christians, and other non-religious people, to fervently argue that Christmas is, in fact, rooted in multiple pagan rituals. Dec 22, 2016 · The modern Catholic has many fronts to defend, one of them being the so-called “pagan roots” of Christmas. Nov 28, 2023 · But, as late as the 1840s, Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans. I’m going to weep. In other words, Christmas was pagan before it was adopted (and renamed) by Christians. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Christmas is Pagan and Other Myths. There are actually two parts to this question. Mar 25, 2024 · Bunnies are a leftover from the pagan festival of Eostre. 1470-1555), was the first to record the similarities between certain pagan and Christian practices. It is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness that has been celebrated for centuries, and is a reminder of our shared human experience. Wikimedia Commons. Apr 13, 2009 · Time and again the Witnesses would cite the Trinity and Christmas as clear proof that “Christendom” had lapsed into paganism. Along with what you just mentioned about the Saturnalia, they say the Christmas tree comes from Germanic tree worship and even harkens back to Nimrod, the star was of Satanic origin and that the lie that is told to kids about a Santa is unbiblical since lying is biblically condemned. Jun 3, 2024 · In conclusion, while many Christmas traditions are rooted in Christianity, the incorporation of customs with pagan origins has led some individuals to view Christmas as a holiday with both religious and pagan influences. That said it absolutely has pagan orgins as well as orgins from other influences. It is true that there was ritual worship of the Sun in Roman times. Let’s Nov 27, 2013 · Christmas is Pagan and Other Myths - Kindle edition by Holding, J. ly/1Rw2yzpCheck Adam’s Sources: http: Christmas itself has many traditions that line up with both pagan traditions and christian traditions. And since it’s wrong to lie to your kids, therefore we can’t celebrate Christmas. The Christmas tree is considered by some as Christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship; [25] according to eighth-century biographer Æddi Stephanus, Saint Boniface (634–709), who was a missionary in Germany, took an axe to Dec 27, 2022 · Christmas. Gravity, pagan or Christian, it just iis, I think that would be more the ancient conception. Ivy, like holly, is an important evergreen edible plant species in UK woodland. Dec 17, 2016 · JWs accept it as very convincing and avoid Christmas as a pagan holiday. First of all, Christmas is definitely a Christian holiday. Here are two of the objections you might meet, and a helpful way to respond to Dec 25, 2018 · The unexpected origins of popular Christmas traditions 03:54. Mar 28, 2018 · Christmas is a pagan holiday with a Christian name. This is the story of Yule, the Germanic pagan winter festival that helped inspire much of the modern celebration of Christmas. The Trinity I could answer for biblically, but Christmas was harder to defend. What began as a pagan tradition has exploded into a key part of Christmas celebrations across the globe. Neither of these things are pagan practices if a Christian does them for non-pagan reasons. (Putting a tree in your house for yuletide for example) Its the exact same for easter. But these myths are all so wrong. The pagan timing of Christmas. ” Eventually, “defiant cake-baking pagan women” were successful and a cross was added to the buns to Christianize them. I had a friend point this text out to me at Christmas, as "proof" that the Christmas tree was a pagan practice. Again, it’s like gravity. ” Hot cross buns are related to “Israelites baking sweet buns for an idol, and religious leaders trying to put a stop to it. A steady drip of articles appear, declaring the pagan roots of Christmas. The pagan history of Christmas. That date of Jesus's birth was only Dec 21, 2023 · More than 2,000 years after the birth of Jesus, the history of quintessentially Christmas traditions and holiday items can be traced back to pre-Christian practices and culture, also referred to As a scholar, if I have to read one more claim that “Christmas is pagan”. Personally I think if the answer is no, then it isnt pagan. Seemingly everyone Another name for Christmas day is pagan day – Christmas is pagan day. Oct 27, 2009 · Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Christmas has also become a secular family holiday that is observed by Christians and non-Christians, is marked by the exchange of gifts, and features the mythical figure of Santa Claus. This article is part of The Conversation’s End of Year series . Christmas and Easter seem like small potatoes if we do minor pagany things. Subscribe: http://bit. This was a period of time in which the sun was at its lowest point in the sky, signaling the start of a new year and the return of longer and brighter days. I heard on the news Internet shoppping is way up,more going to the internet to buy then in person. Find out the answer to this age old question. Do God’s strong warnings against pagan worship apply to the pagan customs tied into Christmas? Nimrod’s very name means to rebel . Dec 18, 2023 · The modern Catholic has many fronts to defend, one of them being the so-called “pagan roots” of Christmas. No: the basic facts of the annual ritual just seem to defy logic and meaning. 0 Unported license. A General Pagan History of Christmas. What Is Yule? Inside The Pagan Celebration Of The Winter Solstice And The Return Of Sunlight Dec 15, 2020 · The presence of some connection between a Christian celebration and a pagan celebration could imply a synchronistic copy-cat (“Hey, let’s Christianize this popular pagan holiday so as to make our celebration more palatable”), or it could mean a deliberate rejection (“Hey, this pagan holiday is horrible, so let’s put something Personally, I think the paganism connection is exaggerated. The author is an atheist, so you can be sure he isn’t a Christian apologist (if that’s something you’re worried about). However, this is not the case. Many traditional elements of Christmas pre-date Christianity 1. While the Christian church has adopted the tree as a symbol of the birth of Jesus, its origin can be traced back to pre-Christian times. What is the Pagan History of Christmas? The pagan roots of Christmas lie in the tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. Decorating trees, feasting with loved ones, hanging up socks by the fireplace, and drinking yourself silly are no different – they’re all a part of pagan history and sacred holidays. 1. ly/truTVSubscribeWatch Full Episodes for FREE: http://bit. If we want to say that some elements of Christmas traditions have pagan origins, then I can agree with that, but Christmas being a pagan holiday? No. The time of year chosen, starting a week before Christmas, correlates with the pagan festival of Saturnalia. There is also no Bible passage that can be used to prove that Israelites or Christians celebrated Christmas. He’s saying Christmas is of pagan origin, not Christian origin, and it’s wrong to lie to your kids. From a Christian viewpoint, Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and it’s got nothing to do with pagan festivals. Dec 18, 2023 · So the irony here is they were trying to be distinct from pagan practices, not syncretize with them. Nicholas, has been apart of folklore in Austria’s Alpine region for hundreds of years. And so began the long history of Christmas. Oct 24, 2006 · An examination of the sacred botany and the pagan origins and rituals of Christmas • Analyzes the symbolism of the many plants associated with Christmas • Reveals the shamanic rituals that are at the heart of the Christmas celebration The day on which many commemorate the birth of Christ has its origins in pagan rituals that center on tree worship, agriculture, magic, and social exchange. Dec 8, 2023 · This all leads to the question of whether we should be asking if Christians should be celebrating Christmas, the pre-Dickens holiday with pagan roots; Christmas, the birth of Christ; Christmas, the modern variant; some form of mixture; or none at all. Christmas makes no sense, and we’re not just talking about that time David Bowie and Bing Crosby collaborated on a festive sing-along. Dec 17, 2018 · Here are just sixteen of the pagan traditions of Christmas. Or that Christmas trees come from German paganism. Alone, the Pew Center reports that nearly 96% of the population celebrates Christmas, including eight out of ten non-Christians, including atheists, agnostics, and those who have no faith commitment. Rebecca: So, what about some of the other traditions that we associate with Christmas, things like the Christmas tree that some people trace to pre-Christian traditions in various cultures The English word Christmas is a shortened form of 'Christ's Mass'. But the truth about these things is so available that it’s literally staring out at you even from Wikipedia. It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted Dec 11, 2020 · Is Christmas Pagan itś that time of the year again. Nov 20, 2022 · Today, more than 25 million live Christmas trees are sold each year in the United States — and that’s not to account for the 84 percent of families who put an artificial tree on display in their homes. Oct 10, 2016 · Roman Emperor Constantine, a former pagan himself, gave the most significant push to the Christian-pagan blending of teachings like Christmas. December 25 has become widely accepted as the date of Jesus’ birth. However, since Sunday was named for the sun god and Monday for the moon god, we do not hesitate to live our normal lives on those days and call them by their given pagan names. Dec 1, 2023 · They didn’t think of it that way. Some pagan traditions that have become associated with Christmas: 3 days ago · This pagan festival was taken over by the Church of Rome in the fourth century to commemorate the birth of Christ. Dec 16, 2017 · Why is Christmas pagan and what is an alternative tradition to Christmas one can do instead? Paganism is merely a religion other than one of the main world religions. What do we see today in the name of celebrating Christmas day? Do we see the birth of Jesus or pagan day? Christmas (pagan) day is; A sinning day; Christmas is a day when man indulges in all sorts of bodily fleshly desires. Dec 4, 2023 · Why Is it Said Christmas Is Pagan in Origin? The Norse people group in Scandinavia celebrated a holiday on December 21, which was a 12-day holiday called “Yule. In Christmas we see that God is not an indifferent spiritual being who lets humans go about their lives unbothered. Because of when the holiday occurred—near the winter solstice—Saturnalia celebrations Christmas and its origins are entirely pagan; from Santa Claus to the decorated tree itself. Essentially the origin of Christmas is pagan not biblical. Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts” (“Christmas,” NewAdvent. 4 days ago · Paganism, Christian term used to designate those religions that do not worship the God of Abraham, the figure central to both Christianity and to other Abrahamic religions like Judaism and Islam. Dec 4, 2022 · The origins of the idea that Christmas is of pagan origin. Around Christmastime, you are likely to hear the objection that Christmas is a Christo-pagan holiday, a mash-up of pagan beliefs and Christian celebration. Dec 23, 2022 · Christmas parties have pagan ties. Though December 25 is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the date itself and several of the customs we've come to Dec 24, 2012 · The celebration of Christmas spread throughout the Western world over the next several centuries, but many Christians continued to view Epiphany and Easter as more important. D. Rather, in Christmas, God has come as a man, to save man. The date was not widely accepted in the Eastern Empire, where January 6 had been favored, for another half-century, and Christmas did not become a major Dec 16, 2015 · Christmas is a much-beloved holiday, celebrated by billions of people across the globe. However, beneath the surface of this religious festivity lie a tapestry of customs and practices that can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations. This misunderstands the Christian mindset. 2 days ago · Christmas, Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. It is believed that the Roman emperor Constantine chose December 25th for the Christian feast and the birth of Jesus as a political move. Cybele, another goddess of renewal and spring, had a lover named Attis, who was born of a virgin, and died and was reborn every spring. 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 May 12, 2023 · No, Christmas is not a pagan holiday. Picture Credit: Xavier Romero-Frias. The Pagan Christmas Tree is an ancient tradition that dates back centuries and is still celebrated by some today. Dec 24, 2018 · We can still see the pagan origins of Christmas in many holiday traditions, including mistletoe, which symbolized fertility to pre-Christians and new life even in the depths of winter. Many traditional elements of Christmas pre-date Christianity. It is true that bells, candles, holly, and yuletide decorations are mentioned in the history of pagan worship, and for some Christians that is enough to keep them away from celebrating Christmas. Aug 24, 2023 · Many of the Christmas traditions that we celebrate today are descended from pagan traditions. Nor is it necessarily Pro-Pagan. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. youtube. 642). Christmas is its own distinct religious holiday centered around Christianity, not paganism. This rich tapestry of influence stems from numerous ancient cultures including Roman, Norse, and Celtic traditions. Paganism (from classical Latin pāgānus "rural", "rustic", later "civilian") is a term first used in the fourth century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism, [1] or ethnic religions other than Judaism. For some though, it is a holiday driven by pagan traditions and roots. But of course you can celebrate Christmas without the lies, and Christmas is not of pagan origin. The modern English noun Yule descends from Old English ġēol, earlier geoh(h)ol, geh(h)ol, and geóla, sometimes plural. Dec 12, 2013 · In the modern age, the majority of the world view Christmas as a Christian holiday in origin. Dec 25, 2020 · One is that December 25 was a pagan holiday for celebrating the birth of the sun, and that Christians adapted and countered that pagan idea with the celebration of the true Light of the World. Jeremiah 10:2-5 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. Dec 20, 2021 · If I may opine for a few moments, I personally expect faithful Christians, and also other devout religious people, to passionately argue that Christmas isn't pagan in the least. Now that that is cleared up, there are some modern claims about Christmas—particularly that it is born out of pagan celebrations, such as Saturnalia, Sol Invictus, or Winter Solstice. Dec 17, 2021 · By Joel Settecase / December 17, 2021 Christmas is a Christian holiday which in a sense has pagan origins, but which upon further investigation represents the Christian takeover and redemption of heathen celebrations, co-opting them and bringing them under the authority of Christ. I feel the way the Church thinks is that this has been going on for so long the decking the Halls and decorating the Christmas Trees in Church as observance of Christmas, why stop now. As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established pagan celebrations. Moreover, we do not have conclusive evidence the pagan festivals were celebrated on that specific date at that point in time. The year before, Forbes financial magazine felt the need to weigh in on the issue. Also, Dec 4, 2023 · Next time you think, “Is the Christmas tree pagan?” look at the tinsel, the lights, and the fully decked out trees, and remember the true meaning of Christmas is God’s beautiful story of A: Pagan Christmas traditions refer to customs and practices that have their roots in ancient pagan cultures and were later incorporated into the celebration of Christmas. In our home, however, on Christmas Eve we have always read the Birth of Christ’s story from Matthew 1:18-25 and from Luke 2:1-20 in honor of the special day that has been set aside to recognize the birth of the Messiah, the Anointed One. Some have made the assertion that Christmas has pagan origins. I couldn’t tell you exactly when or where, but I remember being told (more than a few times) that there were a myriad of ancient pagan festivals like Sol Invictus, Saturnalia, Brumalia, and European feasts like Yule, that also took place on the 25th of December. Christmas looks different this year with the covid and all. d. Everything about modern Christmas, from the trees to the feasting to the gifts and jolly old SAINT Nick have lots of evidence as being ancient Christian traditions, or based on Christian folktales. Around Christmastime you are likely to hear the objection that Christmas is a Christo-pagan holiday, a mash-up of pagan beliefs and Christian celebration. The question of whether Christmas is pagan enters into the idea of cultural practices. Christians have used the terms paganism and pagan, which typically carry pejorative connotations, to Oct 31, 2022 · By tracing Christmas's origins as a pagan celebration of the winter solstice and its development in Europe's Christianization, this history explains that the true "reason for the season" has as much to do with the earth's movement around the sun as with the birth of Christ. Whether it's atheists thinking Zeitgeist is a knowledgeable documentary, neo-pagans complaining about the Christian Church "stealing" their traditions, or Christians full of misguided zeal condemning something through false impressions, it's become an annual tradition to bash Christmas and the Learn how Christmas was adopted by the early Christian church to coincide with a Roman festival of the Unconquered Sun and a Greek feast of Saturn. In the U. The celebrations of Saturnalia included the making and giving of small presents (saturnalia et sigillaricia). Dec 20, 2021 · Does Christmas have pagan origins? Where does the December 25th date come from? Enter Red Pen Logic. Dec 25, 2020 · Conclusion: Christmas is a Pagan Holiday and not biblical In fact, there is not a single passage in the entire Bible where God tells people to celebrate Christmas. You cannot accidentally worship an idol. The first 16 verses of chapter 10 are parenthetical. ” Paganism is the term that was assigned to various groups of people by Christian missionaries within the Roman Empire during their expansion into Europe. DISCLAIMER: this group isn't anti-Christian. Historian and cultural investigator, Polydore Vergil (c. Given that Christians weren't actually persecuted at first, I think a more plausible explanation than directly stealing Saturnalia is that - whether or not it was Jesus' actual birthday - they made a bigger deal about Christmas than they otherwise would have, so it would be the Christian Saturnalia and they wouldn't be the weird ones Christmas is an incredibly important holiday for many people worldwide, and its roots as a pagan holiday should not be forgotten. Many understand that before Christmas was the Roman Saturnalia, upon which Christmas is founded. However, the origins of Christmas are rooted in ancient pagan celebrations that predate Christianity. But it can also be the most controversial time as well. NBC Christmas hasn't always been celebrated on December 25. I was raised to not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday but I don't think there's anything wrong with people who do. The name “Christmas” is a combination of the name of Christ and the word “mass” – the Roman Catholic mass. The Twelve Days of Christmas Originates from the Numerous Pagan Festivals Once celebrated around midwinter. , December 25 memorialized the birth of the Dec 24, 2020 · STEPHEN NICHOLS: So, this idea that Christmas is a pagan holiday stems from a Roman practice of celebrating what is the winter solstice. Dec 1, 2012 · The most common theory today dates the liturgical designation back to the fourth century. Jul 17, 2016 · Other pagan cults and deities played a part in the formation of Easter, too. nel dtidt gqmlvwr gkjyl lwigga wcis qsvdh dkmwihtz aaulh xqrbk