Tertullian argued against adopting the date used for Saturnalia, citing its origins in Roman paganism and asserting that "it is unlawful to borrow solemnities from the pagans in celebrating our religion." Tertullian believed focusing on Christ's death and resurrection held greater significance than celebrating his birth on a date associated with pagan customs...
Christmas, a time of twinkling lights, warm gatherings, and festive cheer; beneath the joyous facade lies a history as diverse and intriguing as the ornaments on a Christmas tree. Let's peel back the layers and peek into the shadows, exploring the unexpected roots of this beloved holiday.
Journey with me, not to Bethlehem, but to ancient Rome, where the Roman festival of Saturnalia started. December, a time of darkness and cold, became a pivotal moment, and various cultures engaged in festivities to bring light and warmth to their lives. From the Roman Saturnalia festival to the Norse Yule, the winter solstice was a time of revelry and merrymaking. Here, amidst the revelry of Saturnalia, a festival of feasting and gift-giving, pagans celebrated the winter solstice.
As the Catholic Church thought to spread the Christian faith (not exactly according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, but working purely on instinct and an agenda to instill their authority), with the idea that they sought to integrate these existing celebrations into their own narrative, making it easy for pagans to transition into Christianity, they changed the date of celebrating Saturnalia (25th of December) to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. At the time of Acts of the Apostles, there was nothing of record to show that the early Church celebrated any such "birthday of Jesus". Although they appreciated and were grateful to God for the birth of Jesus, the event that struck into the heart of their conviction and caused an unquenchable fire of evangelism was the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God.
When this celebration of paganism was changed to that of Christianity through the effort of the Catholic church, they did not stop the pagan elements. Ever wondered about the origins of the Christmas tree or the Yule log? These too find their roots in pagan rituals. The evergreen tree, a symbol of life during winter, and the Yule log, a source of warmth and light, were integral parts of pagan celebrations long before they came into Christian households.
Some Christians stood against such practices, however, the power and influence of the Roman Catholic church prevailed. Eusebius of Caesarea, a fourth-century historian, documented the objections of Tertullian, a second-century theologian, to celebrating Jesus' birthday on December 25th. Tertullian argued against adopting the date used for Saturnalia, citing its origins in Roman paganism and asserting that "it is unlawful to borrow solemnities from the pagans in celebrating our religion." Tertullian believed focusing on Christ's death and resurrection held greater significance than celebrating his birth on a date associated with pagan customs.
Yet, the tide of tradition, like a mighty river, swept on. Christmas, with its whispers of ancient Rome and the blessing of the Roman Catholic Church, became a beacon in the winter darkness. It crossed oceans, climbed mountains, and nestled into hearts across the globe, each culture adding its own brushstrokes to the tapestry. From carols born in frozen forests to twinkling lights echoing ancient fire rituals, Christmas became a kaleidoscope of traditions, a celebration that whispered of hope even in the coldest nights.
Let me highlight some key historical points showing the pagan origins of Christmas;
December 25th: This date aligns with the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, which celebrated the winter solstice and the return of the sun.
Gift-Giving, Feasting, and Merriment: The tradition of gift-giving on December 25th has parallels with Saturnalia's gift exchanges and other pagan winter festivals where offerings were made to deities or exchanged between loved ones. The joyous feasting and celebrations associated with Christmas echo similar traditions from Saturnalia and other pagan winter celebrations, highlighting an overlap in festive customs.
Symbols and Traditions:
Yule Log: This burning log tradition has roots in Germanic and Scandinavian winter solstice celebrations, where fires were believed to symbolize the sun's rebirth and ward off evil spirits.
Evergreen Trees: Decorating with evergreen trees like fir and holly finds parallels in ancient Egyptian and Roman practices of using evergreen boughs during winter festivals, symbolizing life and fertility amidst the barren winter landscape.
Santa Claus: While Saint Nicholas of Myra certainly influenced the figure of Santa Claus, the jolly gift-giver also draws inspiration from pagan deities like Odin, who rode a flying horse and rewarded good children with gifts during the winter solstice.
Overall Influence:
Syncretism: The adoption of certain pagan elements during Christianization is known as syncretism. The Roman Catholic church, aiming to spread their own authority without completely eradicating existing idol worship customs, adapted several pagan traditions and celebrations, giving them new meaning within the Christian narrative. It was an unholy alliance
Evolution of Traditions: Throughout history, the celebration of the so-called Christmas has absorbed various cultural influences and local customs, further blurring the lines between its Christian and pagan roots.
As I pondered on the compliments of Christmas recently, I thought about how many churches today have adopted the celebration, with features of praises and worship to God, thanking God for the birth of Jesus Christ. I thought about how these praises would mean to the Lord. I asked the Lord, "What about all the praises and worship offered to you, won't you accept them?", the Lord replied with a question "Caleb, how can I be glorified with something that has Pagan origin?"
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