Christmas Worship?
Christmas and Easter are celebrated in many countries across the globe and are considered two of the most important events for Christians and some non-Christians. However, many people might be surprised to learn where these holidays came from. In actuality, these two highly regarded festivals have pagan origins that were observed in conjunction with other deities long before the birth and resurrection of Jesus. These festivals were incorporated into Christianity in an effort to gain new converts from other belief systems that had their own gods. Unsurprisingly, some of the traditions and customs associated with these gods became a part of the Christian belief system.
Many of the traditions of Christmas come from the worship practices of the Roman and Celtic ancients. Christmas pulls traditions from Saturnalia, Constantine’s secret worship of the sun god Mithras, and the tradition known as the kalends of January.
Saturnalia Dec 17th-24th
Saturnalia was a festival that honored the Roman god of Saturn (Cronus being his Greek counterpart). This festival took place between December 17th and the 24th and was the most lively event of the year for the Romans. Most businesses were halted and morality was pushed aside. Many would decorate their homes with wreaths and other types of evergreens. Slaves were given temporary freedom for the length of the event and the streets were wild and lively. The Romans would give certain gifts as part of their worship of the god of Saturn. Some of the common gifts given were wax taper candles (signifying the light’s return) and human-shaped figurines known as signillaria, which possibly referred to the slightly earlier traditions of human sacrifice during Saturnalia.
The Birth of Mithras Dec 25th
Following Saturnalia, the Romans celebrated the birth of the unconquered sun, Mithras, on December 25th. This monotheistic secret religion existed in Rome for centuries before the arrival of Jesus. It was said that Mithras, the son of the sun, had slain the sacrificial bull, causing the rebirth of the universe. The blood of the bull essentially became the mediator for new life and the salvation of all life on earth. Mithras began around 1400 BC the Indo-Iranian god of light. Mithras spread from there to many other countries. Mithras had many followers of Rome in the military and was the main rival of the Christian faith around the time Christianity became the main religion of Rome. Interestingly, Emperor Constantine, who was responsible for the adoption of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, was a devout worshipper of Mithras. This fact raises questions about the choice of December 25th as the day of Jesus' birth.
Kalends of January - Jan 1st
The kalends of January was a celebration on the 1st of January (or New Year’s Day) where the gods in Gaul received sacrifices, homes were decorated with lights and greenery, and presents were given. The word Kalends is where the modern word for calendar came from. This was a Pegan festival where the region’s gods were given sacrifices. Even after the time of Constantine New Year’s was still celebrated. After Constantine died in 337, Emperor Julian who was the next in line rejected Christianity and wanted to revive the traditional Roman religion. Julian used the traditions of the Kalends of January to attempt to sway people towards a more traditional pagan Rome. The traditions for New Year’s evolved over time and became the traditions we see today. Modern New Year’s is a compilation consisting of resolutions, leftover lights, and evergreens from Christmas and lively celebrations for the arrival of the new year. There is nothing wrong with setting goals for a new year. These practices are now a shadow of their original purpose; however, they are traditions that stem from practices involving the worship of other Gods. There is nothing wrong with setting goals for a new year but it is a health practice to know the reasons behind traditions that are kept religiously.
When observed in sequence, these three pagan festivals bear striking resemblances to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's. The adoption of pagan practices into Christianity is evident in the use of evergreen plants to decorate churches and homes during the winter solstice.
Image of Mithra and Sacrificial Bull
Timeline
December 25th is said to be the birth of Jesus, however, many scholars agree that his birth would have more likely been in September — shepherds would not have been herding in the middle of winter. Although it is unlikely that Jesus’ actual birthday was December 25th, in 330 AD Pope Julius 1 officially declared December 25th as the day Jesus was born. The Pope most likely chose December 25th and the birth of Jesus to absorb and adopt the traditions of Saturnalia to increase acceptance of Pagan practices in the Christian faith. The first recorded celebration of Christmas was in 336 AD during the reign of Emperor Constantine and in 529 CE Christmas Day was declared an official holiday. Around 590 CE Pope Gregory “the Great” recommended that the Pegan celebrations of the winter solstice be reinvented rather than banned. One such reinvention was the use of evergreen plants to adorn churches and homes.
Traditions of Christmas
“many pre-Christian Europeans worshiped (among other things) various forms of plant life, so it makes sense that in winter those plants that didn't seem to die had special significance.” —Dr. Dominique
Evergreen Trees and Plants
Evergreen trees and plants have been used for thousands of years in Pagan practices. Romans used evergreens to decorate their god’s temples during Saturnalia. Branches of evergreen fir trees were used in Europe to decorate homes during the winter solstice. Mistletoe was used in the worship of Celtic gods. There are countless other examples of evergreens being used for the worship of Pagan gods, particularly for fertility.
Dr. Dominique Wilson from the University of Sydney stated:
"The idea of bringing the evergreen into the house represents fertility and new life in the darkness of winter, which was much more of the pagan themes,"
"That's also where the ideas of the holly and the ivy and the mistletoe come from because they're the few flowering plants in winter so therefore they hold special significance.
"So the idea of bringing evergreens into the house started there and eventually that evolved into the Christmas tree."
The origins of the Christmas tree began in Germany where an evergreen tree was decorated during Christmas with gingerbread, nuts, and apples, and later with gold leaf and candles. This was seen as a Pagan practice for a long time in early America; however, the practice eventually infiltrated Christian circles worldwide.
Jeremiah 10:1-5
2 Thus says the Lord: "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple.
5 They are upright, like a palm tree, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, For they cannot do evil, Nor can they do any good."
Although this verse does not directly mention a Christmas tree, the warning is the same. We are warned against following the practices of other nations and adopting their traditions. Jeremiah 10 gives one example of a pagan practice being assimilated with the Israelite’s worship of God. Also, notice how this warning is eerily similar to the modern Christmas tree. It is cut down from the forest and decorated with silver and gold and fastened to the floor. Evergreen trees were worshiped and used alongside the worship of other gods throughout time.
Joshua 23:6-7
6 Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,
7 so that you will not associate with these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,
While It's uncommon for people in modern-day society to literally pray and worship evergreen trees and foliage, the Bible warns against adopting the practices and customs of other nations in their worship of God. While the Christmas tree may not be considered an idol today, the act of retrieving gifts from beneath it can be seen as a form of reverence, akin to kneeling before an idol to receive blessings.
The Wreath
Wreaths were used in Pagan practices for solstice rituals by many different cultures, such as the Romans, Druids, and Celts. Its symbolism differed depending on the occasion. The circular shape was a symbol of the continued cycle of life that continued even after the shortest days of the year. Apollo also has a strong association with the wreath of laurel. In Ovid’s Metamorphoses from around 8 AD, a nymph named Daphne rejects the god Apollo and escapes by transforming herself into a laurel tree. Apollo makes a wreath from the branches and places it on his head. As a result of this myth, the laurel wreaths were awarded to the winners of music and athletic competitions in Rome.
Holly and Ivy
According to the Catholic News Agency the holly and Ivy are said to be symbolic of the Crown of Thorns that Jesus wore with the berries representing drops of blood he shed. The ivy is green throughout the seasons which is supposed to symbolize “fidelity and immortality” or the eternal life of the Savior. What is outlined as a tradition with strong ties to Christianity is actually a tradition blatantly derived from Pagan practices representing fertility and life after winter. Romans would give boughs of holly as gifts during Saturnalia. Holly was considered a sacred plant by the Druids because of its ability to stay green and strong throughout winter. The Druids believed in the King of Holly who had dominion over the winter half of the year and yielded power to the King of the Oak during the warmer parts of the year.
Yule Log
Later in France, they began to make a cake roll that resembled the Yule log called a “Buche de Noel” as the tradition evolved
The Yule log is saturated with tradition that has gone through changes as new cultures and festivals have adopted the practice. The type of wood used, the duration the Yule log was burned for, and the purpose given for the Yule log are just a few examples of some of the changing features of this ancient practice. “Yule comes from the Norse word hweol, meaning wheel. The Norse believed that the sun was a great wheel of fire that rolled towards and away from the earth.” The Celts would place the Yule log in the fire on the shortest day of the year to “conquer the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring luck for the coming year”.
Some areas in France began to sing carols when the Yule log was brought inside the home. The carol was a prayer for the fertility of mothers, livestock, health, and a fruitful harvest. Later in France, they began to make a cake roll that resembled the Yule log called a “Buche de Noel” as the tradition evolved. In Christianity, Pope Julius I reinvented this tradition to represent the “light of the Savior” instead of it representing the light of the sun. In more recent times, the light from the fire has been given many symbolic representations from scripture such as the light of the savior, the eternal light of heaven, or the consuming fire of God; however, the tradition is steeped in a history of idolatry whose practices have been absorbed into Christmas and given a Christian iteration.
Deuteronomy 5:7-8
7 'You shall have no other gods before Me.
8 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
God tells us not to have any association with other gods. The Hebrew for “before me” is paniym (strong’s 6440) which means in front of or before the face of. God is saying we should not have other gods or anything associated with other gods in the face of God. In other words, we are commanded against worshiping the God of the Bible alongside the practices used in the worship of other gods. This is a warning against being double-minded.
Psalm 119:113
I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your law.
2 Kings 17:33
They feared the Lord and served their own gods according to the custom of the nations from among whom they had been carried away into exile.
Deuteronomy 12:30-32
30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.'
31 You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.
32 Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
God does not want us to worship Him in the same way other nations worshipped their gods. God may have used a harsh example, such as human sacrifice. However, God tells His people how to worship Him. He also tells them to be careful to observe the ways of worship He has already outlined for His people.
Deuteronomy 6:14
You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you,
Exodus 34:14
—for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God—
Exodus 23:24
You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their deeds; but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their sacred pillars in pieces.
Many people will say “These traditions are not serving other gods, we are worshiping and celebrating Christ’s Birthday”. God tells us not to associate with other gods in any way. The Practices of Christmas are polluted with the ancient traditions and celebrations that worship foreign deities. Christmas and the celebration of Christ’s birth are not commanded anywhere in the Bible. There are celebrations in the Bible that are commanded by God. These commanded days are called Feast Days in the Bible. They are commanded by God to be kept forever.
One example in scripture of a Feast Day being kept in a future time is Zechariah 14:16. The Feast Days were even celebrated by Jesus and his followers, even after his crucifixion. However, most of Christianity holds the man-made traditions of Christmas and Easter above the Feasts that God commanded His people to keep:
Mark 7:6-9
6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’
8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
James 4:4
4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1John 2:15
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
I heard this story a long time ago and believe it illustrates why critical thinking is essential and why it is important to question everything:
A young woman was preparing a meatloaf for dinner with her husband, and as she was cutting the ends off the meatloaf before putting it in the oven, her husband asked her why she was doing it. The woman responded that she didn't know, and that her mother had always done it that way. Intrigued, the husband asked the woman's mother why she always cut the ends off the meatloaf, and she too replied that she didn't know, and that her own mother had always done it that way. Eventually, they discovered that the woman's grandmother had cut the ends off the meatloaf because her baking pan was too small, and she needed to make it fit. The practice had been passed down through the generations without anyone ever questioning why it was done.
Atheists, Christians, New Agers, Pagans, and Satanists are all celebrating Christmas on December 25th in most parts of the world with many of the same traditions, mentioned above. This begs the question: are they all celebrating the same thing? Are these traditions honoring the same deity? It is important we know the reasons behind the traditions we value.
Hosea 4:6
6 My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.
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