The Pagan Origins Myth About Christmas

[Guest shiloh357]

It’s generally accepted that early Christians adopted December 25^th as the day of Christ’s birth to co-opt the pagan celebration of the winter solstice. Some believe this fact undermines Christianity.

But according to Professor William Tighe, this “fact” may actually be a myth.

 

http://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/myth-pagan-origins-christmas

[nebula]

 The annual tradition returns!

[nebula]

Interesting article, though - the death-conception concept is a bit different from anything I've heard argued before.

[Guest shiloh357]

9 minutes ago, nebula said:

 The annual tradition returns!

It had to start somewhere.  All we need now is the WBs Christmas Tree, cookies and hot chocolate!  LOL

And our ugly Christmas sweaters. 

[missmuffet]

Ok now we have the "Christmas is Evil" thread.

Question: "Should Christians celebrate Christmas?"

Answer: The debate about whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas has been raging for centuries. There are equally sincere and committed Christians on both sides of the issue, each with multiple reasons why or why not Christmas should be celebrated in Christian homes. But what does the Bible say? Does the Bible give clear direction as to whether Christmas is a holiday to be celebrated by Christians?

First, let’s look at the reasons why some Christians do not celebrate Christmas. One argument against Christmas is that the traditions surrounding the holiday have origins in paganism. Searching for reliable information on this topic is difficult because the origins of many of our traditions are so obscure that sources often contradict one another. Bells, candles, holly, and yuletide decorations are mentioned in the history of pagan worship, but the use of such in one’s home certainly does not indicate a return to paganism. While there are definitely pagan roots to some traditions, there are many more traditions associated with the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of the Savior of the world in Bethlehem. Bells are played to ring out the joyous news, candles are lit to remind us that Christ is the Light of the world (John 1:4-9), a star is placed on the top of a Christmas tree to remember the Star of Bethlehem, and gifts are exchanged to remind us of the gifts of the Magi to Jesus, the greatest gift of God to mankind.

Another argument against Christmas, especially having a Christmas tree, is that the Bible forbids bringing trees into our homes and decorating them. The passage often cited is Jeremiah 10:1-16, but this passage refers to cutting down trees, chiseling the wood to make an idol, and then decorating the idol with silver and gold for the purpose of bowing down before it to worship it (see also Isaiah 44:9-18). The passage in Jeremiah cannot be taken out of its context and used to make a legitimate argument against Christmas trees.

Christians who choose to ignore Christmas point to the fact that the Bible doesn’t give us the date of Christ’s birth, which is certainly true. December 25 may not be even close to the time Jesus was born, and arguments on both sides are legion, some relating to climate in Israel, the practices of shepherds in winter, and the dates of Roman census-taking. None of these points are without a certain amount of conjecture, which brings us back to the fact that the Bible doesn’t tell us when Jesus was born. Some see this as proof positive that God didn’t want us to celebrate the birth, while others see the Bible’s silence on the issue as tacit approval.

Some Christians say that since the world celebrates Christmas—although it is becoming more and more politically correct to refer to it as “the holidays”—Christians should avoid it. But that is the same argument made by false religions that deny Christ altogether, as well as cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses who deny His deity. Those Christians who do celebrate Christmas often see the occasion as an opportunity to proclaim Christ as “the reason for the season” among the nations and to those trapped in false religions.

As we have seen, there is no legitimate scriptural reason not to celebrate Christmas. At the same time, there is no biblical mandate to celebrate it, either. In the end, of course, whether or not to celebrate Christmas is a personal decision. Whatever Christians decide to do regarding Christmas, their views should not be used as a club with which to beat down or denigrate those with opposing views, nor should either view be used as a badge of honor inducing pride over celebrating or not celebrating. As in all things, we seek wisdom from Him who gives it liberally to all who ask (James 1:5) and accept one another in Christian love and grace, regardless of our views on Christmas.

https://gotquestions.org/Christian-Christmas.html

 

[LadyKay]

Here we go! Been waiting for it! 

[Ezra]

"He also goes so far as to claim that the December 25^th pagan feast of the “'Birth of the Unconquered Sun'… was almost certainly an attempt to create a pagan alternative to a date that was already of some significance of Roman Christians."

This is utter nonsense. Since the apostolic churches did not even celebrate Christmas, and since it is crystal clear that Christ was NOT born on December 25, this "professor" has created his own myth.  Not sure what his agenda is, but it is not discovery of the truth.

The History of the Christian Church by Philip Schaff clearly shows why and how paganism crept into the state religion of Christianity since the time of Constantine.  And all the rites, rituals, and customs of Yuletide go back to pagan origins in Europe.

[other one]

yeah,,,   what Ezra said.

 

 

[ayin jade]

2 hours ago, shiloh357 said:

It had to start somewhere.  All we need now is the WBs Christmas Tree, cookies and hot chocolate!  LOL

And our ugly Christmas sweaters. 

My husband informed me today that his store will soon be getting my favorite Christmas cookies. Ive been excited all day.

[Guest shiloh357]

12 minutes ago, ayin jade said:

My husband informed me today that his store will soon be getting my favorite Christmas cookies. Ive been excited all day.

What kind are those?