Yesterday a friend of mine asked me about the pagan origins of Christmas. He had heard that Christmas really wasn’t the day that Jesus was born and was curious about the pagan roots of the holiday we celebrate on December 25th as Christmas. This got me to thinking. If the tradition of Christmas for Christians is to celebrate the birth of the Christ, yet it really isn’t even close to the date of his actual birth, why do we along with the tradition? Better yet, why do we have such disgust and anger towards people that don’t accept it as a Christian holiday?
I hear many others cite the cliche phrase, “It’s the reason for the season” in reference for Jesus, but obviously it isn’t the reason for the season to everyone. In reality, Christmas was appointed to be December 25th to coincide with the winter solstice, which is the date that the trend of longer nights and shorter days begins to reverse. December 25th was a celebration for the upcoming harvest and in European traditions often included bringing an evergreen tree indoors as a sign of a furitful harvest in the coming new year.
Therefore, if the Christian tradition of Christmas is the same date as the winter solstice celebration, does it mean that Christmas should overrule all other holidays celebrated on this date? Should we force a Christian tradition upon the rest of the world?
In addition, I have heard many people take issue with representing Christmas as xmas. They say things like the “x” is a way of crossing out Christ, which is the meaning of Christmas. While I am sure some misinformed people may actually be spiteful in using xmas instead of Christmas, we as Christians must realize that the “x” is actually the Greek letter signifying Christ. When we see Jesus or Christ in Greek, it is written as Xristos. So, xmas is really just an abbreviation of Christmas that intermixes Greek and English.
Regardless of whether one celebrates Christmas as a pagan holiday or a Christian one shouldn’t be the driving force of our attentions. In my mind, anytime people will come together as family and friends--in love--and celebrate all that has happened during the year and look forward to all that will come in the new year, there is always going to be an opportunity for some to reflect upon what made it all possible. Symbolism and forced Christian traditions cannot over power the Holy Spirit at work in transforming the lives of others and bringing them to the knowledge of the truth of God and redemption through Christ.
I don’t believe that selling out and giving in to hide our faith and deny Christ is in order here and I don’t agree with doing so. However, I do believe that tolerance of others ideals and desires to not acknowledge Christmas as the day of Christ’s birth should be given credit, especially since it really isn’t the day Jesus was born. In the true sense of the day, we as Christians can take this time to honor Christ and celebrate his birth, but I don’t think we should impose our will upon others that choose not to celebrate this day with us.
If you disagree, I’d appreciate knowing why. If you believe my views don’t honor God in any way, I’d like to know why. I’m open to all replies.
Related posts:
- Thank you Jesus!
- Merry Christmas!
- My first introduction to Gabriel and Jesus
- And Jesus will say, “I never knew you.”
- Finding Jesus at a Georgia truck stop
Tags: christmas, holiday, pagan, winter solstice
