About Christmas
from Paganism to Christianity
THE PAGAN ORIGINS
"Although it seems inexplicable, date of birth of Christ is not known. The Gospels do not
indicate neither the day nor the year [...] it was assigned the date of the winter solstice
because on that day when the sun begins its return in boreal sky, the pagans who worshiped
Mithras celebrated the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (date of birth of the invincible sun). "
New Catholic Encyclopedia of the Franciscan Order (1941)
The date of December 25 is known in the traditions of ancient peoples long before the
advent of Christianity. The life of primitive peoples was linked to the rhythm of
the seasons, which marked the activities to be performed during the year but also
the possible dangers and accidents to prevent. Therefore the gods were often linked to
forces of nature, first of all the sun, that during winter is less generous: Thus originally
winter celebrations were pagan rituals toward the forces of nature. Often these rituals
were also linked to the concept of reproduction and fertility and often included coupling
ceremonials
The ritual dedicated to the sun just on December 25 is also explained by the fact that precisely in the days before (December 22-24) takes place the winter solstice, ie the period with the longest night and shortest during daytime
It's worth remembering that December 25 is not only the birth of Jesus Christ, but it is a significant date for other gods too:
- The Egyptian god Horus (related to the sun)
- The Indo-Persian god Mitra (which had immaculate conception, and 12 apostles)
- The Babylonians gods Tammuz and Shamas (Shamas was considered the god of Sun)
- Dionysus (whose celebrations often included mating rituals)
- Bacab (Sun God in the Yucatan)
- Wiracocha (Inca Sun god)
Read also:
Wikipedia: Christmas
