Pagan Roots of Christmas
December 7th, 2007 by Smajda
The Holiday season has snuck up on us again. A time of year when… well you know. This was a popular video last year that made the rounds in our circles and since we are creatures who tend to forget, I thought it might warrant re-viewing. It sums up the origins of many of the Christmas traditions as we know them now and exposes where we got them from. (note: the first two minutes of the video are an advertisement…feel free to fast forward)
- Some questions we may ask ourselves after we watch are:
- Should we “Christianize” a pagan Holiday?
- If we do, should we leave out the old pagan elements?
- How does God feel about us practicing pagan traditions to celebrate the miraculous birth of his son?
- Are we “punishing” our children if we refuse to take part in a popular pagan holiday?
- What is the difference between this and Halloween, another holiday that has its roots in paganism that was Christianized (albeit based on a false doctrine) and is popular in the Christian world.
- And last… Should we contribute to the obvious practice of covetousness that is associated currently with this holiday?
Although I may not agree with all of this author’s points, I do think that he offers some insightful and well balanced perspective. Especially part IV of his article.
You can check it out at:
http://www.orlutheran.com/html/chrmas_pagan1.html
-Thom
Every year I go round and round with myself about these very issues. The thought of Christianising a pagan holiday is revolting to me, yet we are surrounded with loved ones who think - or don’t think - otherwise. Plus, it’s a time of good cheer and optimism, something I need more of. If I criticise, I am told that we don’t worship the pagan deities, but rather Christ, that our gifts are given in love. But can’t give gifts any other time during the year?
The adoption of a pagan holiday began as a church-and-state thing. Under the Emporer Constantine, Christianity became the religion of the Roman state. The Saturnalia at the winter solstice was widely celebrated and was made the basis for celbrating Christ’s birth. All this is well known and has been discussed by more knowledgible heads than mine. Over time it has become so ingrained in our culture as both westerners and Christians that the syncretion has solidified.
I don’t think God likes it, but I suspect it is one of those iniquities that he “winks at”. After all, it’s the spirit of the celebration that matters. And how many ordinary, nominal Christians have bothered to check out its true origins?
My downstairs neighbours, some of my dearest friends, are evangelicals who love Christmas. They have a beautiful tree and even I have laid recently-received gifts under it. For them, it’s a family thing, and as a single, I am grateful for the oppportunity to share the good cheer with them. But I am under no illusions. As soon as discussions arise concerning “who’s-getting-what-from-whom”, the covetous fir begins to fly, subtly at first, as these folks are trying to follow our Lord, but it’s there nonetheless. Never a good outcome. And the kids, being the least well developed spiritually, are the worst. I was too, when young. How can we say this is a holiday for the kids? Is this what we want for our children? This is perhaps the issue that concerns me the most.
I had somewhat of an epiphany last night. (I actually wrote this artilce a few days ago)
What is the difference between Halloween and Christmas?
I notice many similarities.
1. Pagan high holiday
2. both were “Christianized” by the church
3. Both currently have pagan or otherwise customs that have there roots in ungodly ideas
4. Both have become holidays that have been extremely commercialized and are practiced in a way that usually at best is on the edge of covetousness.
im sure that there is more, but i haven’t had my morning caffeine Fix yet.
The differences I can see are
1. Halloween celebrates a false resurrection while christmas just has a bunch of rituals that honor other Gods and
2. Christmas has the word Christ in it, and pretends to be about Jesus.
It is this second difference that people cling to. I know so many christians that seriously reject Halloween but will continue to practice many of the traditions noted in this video to have roots in very devilish meanings.
Why not start from scratch? Say to yourself I am not going to conform the this world and start building your personal holiday traditions from there?
Jesus’s Birth, ok though it clearly didn’t happen this time of year, we can celebrate it together if we are keeping it about Christ.
But with the other traditions ask yourself not so much if you want to get rid of your traditions, because you are a new person in Christ, you really taking on traditions all over again. So pick and chose which ones carefully and ask yourself if your really honoring Christ birth with them or if your honoring these old worldly traditions with pagan concepts in there origins.
Again I think you should ask yourself overall though, What is the difference between this and Halloween?
Oh for goodness’ sake. Most people celebrate Christmas because it’s a wonderful time of family togetherness, delicious smells, good food, and some great music. It has become, for many, a de facto secular American holiday, like Thanksgiving. Those of us who believe can honor Christ at this time of year by giving more than we receive, singing in Handel’s ‘Messiah’, attending a Christmas Eve service, and above all by not being Scrooge-like about the holiday.
Because I’m in a mixed marriage, spiritually speaking, I get a tiny little potted tree and we don’t make a big deal out of the day. You all perhaps have the luxury of choice, but I don’t…and I wish I could have a big, beautiful tree with lights and ornaments that have been handed down for generations. Count yourselves fortunate.
Thom,
That was a pretty good article and says some things that need to be said in this kind of conversation, however I think it kind of missed the point. It never addressed the adoption of pagan traditions and incorporating them into the celebration of Christ’s Birth. If we found out that we have very good reason to believe that Jesus was born Oct 31st I would celebrate the birth of the lord that day, but I wouldn’t do it by dressing up in a costume and asking strangers for candy.
Back to the article, I think it makes some good points for people who can be quick to condemn others for celebrating Jesus’ birth that day. It’s something I have seen and don’t like.
Hi John Paul,
what would your epiphany have to say concerning whether or not these principles of truth from Rom 14 may be applicable here?
Does what is stated here not apply in principle and solely pertain eating various foods? or is this indeed addressing “strong in the faith” and “weak in the faith” and how they ought to be dealing with each other concerning matters where they have different thoughts? Should those who (think they are) strong in the faith deal differently with those who (they think are) weak in the faith deal differently with the matter of celebrating a particular day of the year with different emphasis as they would or should with the matter of eating different foods?
Cheers,
Wolfgang
Cheers,
Wolfgang
Wikfgang,
Can you reword that somehow please? I have reread it several times and am having a difficult time figuring out what you are trying to ask/say. I even asked a friend to read it and explain it but they couldn’t.
As to how my comparison of Christmas and Halloween relates to that section in Romans, i don’t see it. I do see how that post relates to the broader subject at hand maybe. But ill refer to my comment in post five when i said:
“I think it makes some good points for people who can be quick to condemn others for celebrating Jesus’ birth that day. It’s something I have seen and don’t like.”
I really don’t think people should be condemned for this or judged harshly. I have personally been convicted when it comes to this subject though.
And don’t forget the other way around (pertaining to the verses,) not to despise me or others who feel similarly about these issues.
Actually Wolfgang,
Im very glad that you have brought those verses up in this thread, because I think people can be caught up in either direction despising or Judging on both sides.
But at the same time I still think its something that should be discussed, not ignored.
Bless God.