Is Christmas Originally A Pagan Holiday
Many christmas traditions do not derive from the christian religion.
Is christmas originally a pagan holiday. There is a myth circulating that christmas was originally a pagan holiday. December 25th was always a pagan holiday called saturnalia for literally thousands of years before christians claimed ownership of december 25th it was a pagan holiday celebrating the birth of the sun god sol invictus which concluded their annual winter festival of saturnalia. The christians didn t want to participate in that and so they said while everybody else is celebrating this pagan thing we re going to have our. Christmas christian festival celebrating the birth of jesus.
It just so happens that on the twenty fifth of december in the roman empire there was a pagan holiday that was linked to mystery religions. 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. Some claim it was borrowed from the pagan sol invictus festival. No christmas is not a pagan holiday.
The date is also significant because it has always marked the winter solstice. How a pagan holiday is reinvented. Christmas is the christian remembrance and celebration of the birth of jesus christ. Gjones creative as christianity took root some pagan holidays were so popular that they were simply absorbed.
Why is christmas pagan and what is an alternative tradition to christmas one can do instead. The shortest day of the year. December 25 has become widely accepted as the date of jesus birth. Expat mamasita was born of irish ancestors and has a fascination with the origins of contemporary holidays originating from pagan tradition.
Even so some say that various christmas traditions have pagan origins so the. The place to gain and share knowledge empowering people to learn from. Christians believe that in christ god entered the human race and so deserves the title immanuel or god with us matthew 1 23. 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.
Some claim it was proclaimed by constantine to be on or around the winter solstice in order to placate the pagans and borrow their celebration.