Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Pagan History of Christmas

Prov. 21:26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
***

Have you ever thought about why we celebrate Christmas? I mean, I’m sure you’re aware that it is the appointed birthday of Christ the Savior, but have you ever wondered how we knew he was born on this precise day in time? Why are we Christians celebrating by decorating a tree, hailing Santa Claus as the bearer of gifts, and in turn giving gifts ourselves? Are we born and bred to relive these customs and traditions? Why?

A little research uncovers some interesting facts about Christmas day:

Christmas history in America


Christmas BEFORE Christ


Christmas - WIKI interprets


With all this information, have I answered the question why we celebrate Christmas on December 25 th? I sure hope so!

I am neither a pagan:
1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.
 

or a heathen:
1.an unconverted individual of a people that do not acknowledge the God of the Bible ; a person who is neither a Jew, Christian, nor Muslim; pagan.
 

I am honored to mark one day as a holy day in any calendar! I’m not Jewish, so I am more than likely not doing what God asks when he demands us to celebrate His feasts. But I’m also not a grinch, sitting high up on my mountain top, standing firmly on principle and technicalities, watching everyone else celebrate the Glory of our Lord. He’s my Lord too, and I’m going to celebrate by giving all the glory to him!
 

If I pick apart the Holy Bible and uphold only certain things, at certain times, but say, God don’t mind me doing this or that, at other times. Are we not all hypocrites in this world? I say we because Jesus assured me that “We have ALL sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.” Don’t pick apart Christmas, celebrate life!
 

Don’t be chastened when unbelievers get mouthy about Christmas being celebrated on the Saturnalia. It’s true! Our Christmas celebration is based on the date of that pagan Roman celebration.  And it doesn’t matter. As long as we focus on God, Christ, and the reason for that celebration, you’re on the right road. The right road being that in your heart, you have found peace and love dwelling in you, at least ONE time in the year.

Now if only we could have that love and peace throughout the entire year. If you don’t, that is totally up to you, I will not judge. But I will celebrate this day with you! :)

"Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. " (Leviticus 23:40)

4 comments:

OtienoHongo said...

As the years go by, it seems to me that Christmas is loosing its meaning and becoming more about spending and consuming, in the future maybe it will just be a season for people to buy stuff!

joni said...

It is those of us, albeit a few, that keep the true meaning of Christmas alive, is whats going to keep the season alive with Spirit.

May you have a wonderful Christmas, and I mean, celebrate it in LOVE!

June said...

Good thoughts, Joni, to remind of what we are celebrating!

I began researching other religious beliefs in high school and that is when I found that all the major Christian holidays wereset on top of Europian pagan ones...One of the reasons is it was easier to covert them to Christianity that way.

BTW, I've always believed in the concept of St. Nick and the idea of giving. For me, it makes the thought og God's greatest gift extra special with the giving to others.

:)

I never thought my parents lied to me...but just another way to share the gift of giving.

joni said...

I was about seven, June. To me they taught me not to lie, so it was just one little acorn I could hold over their heads. lol

"You LIED about Santa!" lol

Very interesting these pagans. ;)