I AM THE FORCE

The secular world is "allegedly" taking over Christmas. Christian activists are expressing outrage with secular efforts to remove Christ from Christmas. But is this holiday really even about Christianity or baby Jesus? Presents, holiday trees, Santa Claus, family gatherings, and great big meals. If you'd be honest with yourself, this has become a holiday that isn't much about religion at all. So my suggestion to those who are worried about the secularization of Christmas is to think back to the pagan origins of the holiday for a little inspiration. You can really worship that tree like the ancient Germans, at the same time you're ripping open those presents from Wal-Mart. Or, if you are of the majority Christian faith, enjoy your sermons and nativity scenes if you'd like. Just please, please don't tell me that Jesus is the reason for the season. With a better understanding of history, we can all have a more hedonistic and enjoyable holiday season

The Real Story of Christmas
(From the History Channel)
An Ancient Holiday

The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia—a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture—was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra's birthday was the most sacred day of the year. Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia. By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced.