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Christmas
Christmas is celebrated all over the world and in
many different ways. Christmas originated as Christes Maesse a
religious festival to celebrate the birth of
Jesus held on the Bethlehem plains . However, a date to celebrate this illustrious occasion wasn't ordained
until 350 AD. Although some believe it has been celebrated since 98.
 Julius I, Bishop of Rome, chose December 25th to commemorate the
occasion.
During the winter, several pagan festivals were held which
created conflict within the church. Saturnalia, a decadent Roman festival lasted
2-3 weeks. This festival honored their agricultural god and there was a lot of
feasting, drinking, and merry making. The Winter Solstice was (and is) celebrated
by many cultures. Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and the days
begin getting longer and so the rebirth of the sun was celebrated. The Persians
feasted and paid tribute to Mithra and the Teutonic tribes honored Woden.
Although this day was initially suppose to be a solemn occasion as
decreed by Telesphorus, Bishop of Rome in 137, the influence of the different
pagan holidays was destined. After several attempts to ban pagan rituals and
customs from the Christian holiday, the church eventually gave way and
incorporated many of them into Christmas by "Christianizing" them. Thus,
Christmas is the blending of the old faith and the new.
Have a
very Merry Christmas.
by W.Holidays
modified May 4, 2008
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