No
one actually knows when Jesus was born. Biblically speaking, historians
think he was born in September, six months after Passover. One thing
all historians agree on is that it's highly unlikely he was born in
December.
The
Bible recounts shepherds ‘tending their sheep in the fields’ the night
he was born. Considering shepherds don't tend sheep during the cold
Judean winter it's improbable J.C. was born in December. So why is it
that we associate his birth with December 25th?
Let's consider some ‘pagan’ traditions.
In
Rome, the winter solstice was celebrated years before the birth of
Jesus. Romans celebrated Saturnalia - Saturn, God of Agriculture.
The
Kalends of January, represented the triumph of life over death. The
whole season was called “Dies Natalis Invicti Solis” or “Birthday of the
Unconquered Sun”. The season was defined by partying and gluttonous
eating and drinking.
Also
in ancient Rome, the ‘Mummers’ were born. The ‘Mummers’ were costumed
actors who traveled from house to house performing songs and dances for
their neighbors. We know them as ‘Carolers’.
“Yule”
celebrated during the solstice in northern Europe, long before the
‘birth of Christ’, exonerated the pagan God, “Mithras”. As Mithras grew
and matured, the days became longer and warmer. It was customary during
this time to light a candle to encourage Mithras - the sun - to reappear
next year. ‘Yule logs’ were henceforth burned in honor of the sun.
The
word Yule itself means wheel - the wheel is a pagan symbol for the sun.
Mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, and the custom of kissing
under the mistletoe began as a fertility ritual. Holly berries were
bestowed the ‘food of the gods’.
The
iconic evergreen tree unites all northern European winter solstice
traditions. Live evergreens were displayed in the home during the severe
winter months as a reminder that the crops would soon sprout anew. The
branches were carried as good luck charms and were used during weddings
to represent fertility.
The
Druids used the tree as a religious symbol, holding their sacred
ceremonies while surrounding and worshipping enormous trees.
In
350 A.D., Pope Julius I declared that Christ's birth shall be
celebrated on December 25th. There is little doubt that this was an
effort to facilitate and assuage the conversion of Roman pagans - who,
at the time, were the majority.
Christmas
(Christ-Mass), as we know it today, began in Germany, though Catholics
and Lutherans still disagree about which church celebrated it first. The
earliest record of an evergreen being decorated in a Christian
celebration was in 1521 in the Alsace region of Germany. A prominent
Lutheran minister of the day cried blasphemy: "Better that they should
look to the true tree of life, Christ."
I
present this not as a condemnation of the religious sects who’ve
embraced the holiday as their own, but to remind everyone of the ideals
upon which those traditions are founded. Not the least of which being
partying and gluttonous eating and drinking. Enjoy the holidays, but
never presume to own the ideal.
