The Origin of Christmas and the Birth of Jesus the "Sun" of God

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Zero Point Native

Zero Point Native

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The origin of Christmas is a blend of ancient traditions, religious beliefs, and cultural practices that evolved over centuries. While it is widely celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ in Christianity, its roots go much deeper and draw heavily from pre-Christian festivals and traditions.

1. Biblical Basis​

  • Christmas is celebrated on December 25th as the birth of Jesus Christ, but the Bible does not specify the exact date of His birth.
  • Early Christians did not initially celebrate Jesus’ birth; the focus was more on His death and resurrection.
  • By the 4th century CE, the Church began to celebrate His birth to counteract and absorb pagan traditions associated with the winter solstice.

2. Pagan and Pre-Christian Roots​

Many Christmas traditions originate from ancient pagan festivals that celebrated the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year, which marks the Sun's symbolic rebirth.

a. Roman Festival: Saturnalia​

  • Saturnalia was a Roman festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, celebrated from December 17th to 23rd.
  • It involved feasting, gift-giving, and temporary suspension of social norms, such as masters serving their slaves.
  • Many customs from Saturnalia, such as feasting and merrymaking, influenced Christmas traditions.

b. Sol Invictus​

  • The Roman festival of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti ("Birthday of the Unconquered Sun") on December 25th celebrated the rebirth of the Sun after the winter solstice.
  • Emperor Aurelian established this festival in 274 CE, aligning with the worship of Mithras, a Sun god, and other solar deities.
  • Early Christians adopted December 25th to align Jesus’ birth with the existing solstice celebrations.

c. Yule​

  • Yule was a midwinter festival celebrated by Germanic and Norse peoples, involving feasting, Yule logs, and honoring deities like Odin.
  • Yule traditions, such as decorating with evergreens, burning logs, and festive gatherings, heavily influenced Christmas customs.

3. Christianization​

  • In the 4th century CE, Pope Julius I officially declared December 25th as the date for celebrating Jesus’ birth.
  • This was partly to provide a Christian alternative to pagan solstice festivals and to ease the conversion of pagans to Christianity.

4. Evolution of Christmas Traditions​

Over the centuries, Christmas absorbed customs from various cultures:

a. Evergreen Decorations​

  • Using evergreens, such as holly and ivy, symbolized eternal life in pagan traditions and was incorporated into Christmas as a reminder of Christ’s eternal life.

b. Gift-Giving​

  • Rooted in Roman Saturnalia traditions, gift-giving became associated with the story of the Magi bringing gifts to the infant Jesus.

c. Santa Claus​

  • The figure of Santa Claus evolved from St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop known for his generosity, combined with folklore about Norse god Odin and other regional gift-bringers.

d. Feasting and Celebration​

  • The festive nature of Saturnalia and Yule influenced the emphasis on feasting, drinking, and communal merrymaking.

5. Modern Christmas​

  • By the Middle Ages, Christmas was firmly established as a religious and cultural holiday in Europe, blending Christian and pagan customs.
  • In the 19th century, Christmas was reinvented as a family-oriented holiday with a focus on children, gift-giving, and charity, popularized by authors like Charles Dickens in "A Christmas Carol."

In Summary​

Christmas originated as a blend of Christian theology and pagan traditions tied to the winter solstice, particularly Roman Saturnalia, Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, and Germanic Yule. Over time, it evolved into a global holiday celebrating the birth of Christ while incorporating ancient symbols of renewal, light, and community.
 
The Position of the Sun as Viewed from Earth


Around the time of the winter solstice, the Sun appears to pause its southward (or northward, depending on the hemisphere) movement and "stands still" at its lowest point in the sky before beginning its journey upward again.

This apparent pause lasts for about 3 days (The death of the "Sun") when viewed from Earth. During these days, the Sun's noontime position in the sky remains nearly unchanged, appearing to "linger" at its lowest point before starting to rise higher in the sky again (The resurrection of the "Sun").

This is why many ancient cultures symbolically associated the winter solstice with concepts of rebirth or renewal, as it marked the return of longer days and the Sun's ascent.



The Dates of the Sun’s Position


The dates when the Sun reaches its lowest and highest points in the sky are determined by the winter solstice and the summer solstice, respectively. These dates vary slightly each year due to the Earth's elliptical orbit, but they typically fall on:

1. Lowest Point: Winter Solstice

  • Date: Around December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere (June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere).
  • Description: This marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year, when the Sun is at its lowest altitude at noon.
2. Highest Point: Summer Solstice

  • Date: Around June 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere (December 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere).
  • Description: This is the longest day and the shortest night of the year, when the Sun reaches its highest altitude at noon.
Relationship Between the Two

The time between the winter solstice and the summer solstice is approximately six months, during which the Sun's altitude gradually increases daily as the Earth tilts back toward the Sun.



If the Sun reaches its lowest point on December 22nd (the winter solstice), it begins to rise again a few days later, due to the phenomenon of the solar standstill. This apparent pause lasts for about 3 days, during which the Sun's noontime elevation appears almost stationary.

When Does the Sun Begin to Rise Again?

  • The Sun's gradual upward movement becomes noticeable around December 25th or 26th.
  • This marks the beginning of the Sun's ascent back toward higher altitudes, symbolizing the return of longer days and shorter nights.
This 3-day period of "standstill" is why many ancient cultures celebrated renewal festivals, including some aligning with late December dates, as a symbolic rebirth of light.
 
Religious Recognition


The recognition of the Sun's "death" around the winter solstice (December 21st or 22nd) and its symbolic "rebirth" a few days later (around December 25th) is deeply rooted in ancient cultures and spiritual systems that observed celestial phenomena. While there is no definitive answer to which belief system was the first to make this connection, several ancient traditions celebrated the rebirth of the Sun during this period:

​

1. Egyptian Mythology (Ra and Horus)

  • In ancient Egypt, the Sun god Ra was central to their cosmology. The cycle of Ra’s journey through the underworld each night symbolized death and rebirth daily.
  • The deity Horus, associated with the rebirth of the Sun, was also celebrated, particularly around the winter solstice as a time of renewal.
​

2. Mesopotamian Religion (Babylonian and Sumerian)

  • Early Mesopotamian cultures celebrated the solstices with agricultural festivals.
  • The Babylonian festival of Zagmuk and later Akitu marked the victory of light over darkness, though it was more closely tied to the spring equinox.
​

3. Persian Religion (Mithraism)

  • The worship of Mithra, an ancient Persian Sun god, involved themes of the Sun's rebirth. The festival of Mithra’s birth, celebrated on December 25th, became prominent in the Roman Empire.
  • Mithraism greatly influenced Roman solar festivals, tying the rebirth of the Sun to cosmic renewal.
​

4. Roman Religion (Sol Invictus)

  • The Roman festival of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti ("Birthday of the Unconquered Sun") was celebrated on December 25th, recognizing the Sun's rebirth after the solstice.
  • This festival was officially instituted in 274 CE by Emperor Aurelian and aligned with earlier Sun-related traditions, including Mithraism.
​

5. Norse Paganism and Yule

  • Norse traditions celebrated Yule, a festival centered on the solstice. Bonfires, feasting, and Yule logs symbolized the return of light and the rebirth of the Sun.
  • Yule practices influenced later Christian celebrations of Christmas.
​

6. Pre-Christian Europe and Druids

  • Druids and other Celtic priesthoods in Europe observed the winter solstice with ceremonies at sacred sites like Stonehenge.
  • These celebrations marked the Sun's rebirth and the promise of warmer days ahead.
​

Transition to Christianity

Early Christians adopted December 25th as the date to celebrate the birth of Christ in the 4th century CE, coinciding with existing pagan solstice festivals like Sol Invictus and Mithra’s birth. This date served to integrate Christian and pagan traditions, emphasizing Christ as the "Light of the World."

In summary, while it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact first religion, the connection between the Sun’s "death and rebirth" and the winter solstice dates back to ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Indo-European traditions, evolving through Mithraism and Roman festivals before influencing Christian practices.
 
So now we all know what ChatGPT has to say about this.

It's a shame that Zero Point Native doesn't have any thoughts about it.
 
Pinball1970 said:
I thought the text was from Co pilot or similar? I did not watch the 26 minute video. Can you summarize?
Click to expand...
The YouTube transcript discusses the historical and mythological roots of religious narratives, particularly focusing on Christianity and its parallels with earlier religions. Here's a summary:

  1. Sun Worship and Astrology:
    • Ancient civilizations revered the Sun for its life-giving properties and tracked celestial movements, creating constellations and myths.
    • The zodiac and its 12 constellations symbolized the Sun's annual journey and were integral to cultural and spiritual practices.
  2. Mythological Figures and Parallels:
    • The Egyptian Sun god Horus, along with deities like Mithra, Krishna, and Dionysus, share narratives with Jesus Christ, including virgin births, December 25th birthdates, crucifixion, resurrection after three days, and having 12 followers.
  3. Astrological Basis of Biblical Stories:
    • Key elements of Jesus' story, such as the Star of Bethlehem and resurrection, are interpreted as astrological allegories tied to the Sun's movement.
    • The "end times" concept is linked to the astrological transition between ages, such as Pisces to Aquarius.
  4. Historical and Literary Influences:
    • Stories like Noah's Ark and Moses' laws were adapted from earlier myths, including the Epic of Gilgamesh and Egyptian traditions.
    • Christianity borrowed extensively from earlier religions, with its narratives often reflecting existing mythological structures.
  5. Skepticism About Jesus' Historicity:
    • There is a lack of non-biblical evidence for Jesus' existence, with references often being forgeries or vague mentions.
    • Christianity is framed as a political construct designed for social control, with the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) standardizing its doctrines.
  6. Religious Myths as Tools of Control:
    • Myths, while widely believed, are seen as fabricated narratives that detach humans from nature and empower authorities.
    • Religion has historically justified atrocities and manipulated societies, serving as a powerful means of psychological and social control.
The video critiques the historical accuracy of Christianity and other religions, viewing them as adaptations of earlier myths used for political and social purposes.

As summarized by ChatGPT ;)
 
exchemist said:
But as those words do not come from your mind, they tell us noting about what, if anything, is going on in there.;)
Click to expand...
He is only interested in trolling. He has been told not to mindlessly spam swathes of AI text.
He has ignored that so I have reported him.
 
exchemist said:
Another one who, like Write4U , has outsourced his mind to a chatbot. Just empty space under his skull, apparently. -_O
Click to expand...
This sort of poster is polluting the site, have you noticed a few older sleepers have turned up and are contributing now?
Some good guys.
Even Tiassa has shortened his novels, there is hope!
 
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