What Was Pagan Christmas Called
Yule festivities are a mixture of customs and beliefs going back many years before jesus was born.
What was pagan christmas called. The christmas tree is a 17th century german invention university of bristol s hutton told livescience but it clearly derives from the pagan practice of bringing greenery indoors to decorate in. The pagan federation an umbrella group for pagan organisations describes paganism as a spiritual nature venerating belief system rooted in the ancient nature religions of the world. Saturnalia was a festival held between 17 and 24 december which began in the days of the roman empire. This was a week of feasting gift giving and an excuse for an orgy during the northern hemisphere s winter solstice.
According to davis christmas was celebrated as early as the fourth century suggesting that it had almost nothing to do with jesus christ. The christmas tree is considered by some as christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the winter solstice which included the use of evergreen boughs and an adaptation of pagan tree worship. Why is christmas pagan and what is an alternative tradition to christmas one can do instead. Another pagan custom called wassailing or singing from door to door also became very popular among christmas celebrants.
According to eighth century biographer æddi stephanus saint boniface 634 709 who was a missionary in germany took an ax to an oak. In egypt that tree was the palm tree. The christmas tree now so common among us was equally common in pagan rome and pagan egypt. A pagan festival that gave rise to customs associated with christmas is the festival of saturnalia.
Many people mistakenly state that jesus is the reason for the season they do so because they believe people have lost sight of the true meaning of christmas. Red and green are the traditional colors for christmas tree baubles but in recent years many more colors have become available often changing yearly with the latest fashions. It was celebrated mid to late december between the 17 th and 23 rd of the month. The place to gain and share knowledge empowering people to learn from.
In ancient rome there was a feast called saturnalia. The objective of the debauchery and dancing. Pagan derived decorations that are still seen at christmas time include the green leaves and red berries of holly mistletoe and wreaths. Called yule it is one of the traditional celtic fire festivals and marks the return of the light after the longest night of the year.
This was an ancient roman festival that was celebrated in honour of the god saturn.