Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays; Origin of Christmas

Christmas is a holiday shared and celebrated by many religions. What is the meaning of Christmas? Where did the customs and traditions originate?

Most if not all of the customs of Christmas pre-date the birth of Jesus, and Christmas is a collection of traditions and practices taken from many cultures and nations.

The date of December 25th comes from Rome and was a celebration of the Italic god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god.

This was done long before the birth of Jesus.

The evergreen tree was a symbol of the essence of life and was regarded as fertility symbol. Holly and mistletoe were hung in doorways of temples and homes to invoke powers of fertility in those who stood under them and kissed.

The Puritans in England, and later in Massachusetts Colony, outlawed this holiday as witchcraft.

Near the end of the nineteenth century there was a revival of the celebration of Christmas. Today, Christian churches mimic what used to be considered witchcraft.

Consider for a moment; people believing themselves to be Christian worship God by involving themselves with customs and traditions which have pagan origin. Do you suppose this is what the Israelites did when they failed to obey God's instructions to destroy the people in the lands He was giving to them?

People unnecessarily become concerned about Jesus being taken out of Christmas. He was never in it. So enjoy the Holidays....

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