Does Anyone Else Struggle with the Symbolism of our Holidays?

[Kino]

Over the past few years I've done a decent amount of research on the origins of Christian Traditions and many of them I struggle with. One of the big ones being Christmas. We can trace the origins of the tree to worship of Saturn and the time of the year aligns with the rebirth of the Sun that happens with the solstice and Christians will celebrate the birth of the Son of God. The comparison is not lost upon me.

Granted, I'm totally aware that these are just symbols and I'm not questioning Christian Doctrine, but only struggle seeing these symbols and comparisons everywhere around this time of the year.

Be Blessed.

 

[Gardenias]

Hello and welcome!
I no longer recognize any U.S. holiday.
I observe Thanksgiving BC to me it is a time to be with family and be thankful for what God has blessed us with!
New Years rolls around a new calendar year but I only observe the rollover.
Fourth of July recognizes the birth of this country. I do not observe it BC I feel NO PATRIOTISM to the government here. Our constitution had all but been destroyed by the higher powers here!

 

[p_rehbein]

Way I see it, the Founding Members of the various congregations across Biblical lands and regions.....Corinth, Ephesus, Phillipe and such had no problem with any such, so why are people today struggling?


The two main Holidays....Christmas and Easter/Resurrection Sunday are based in Biblical Truth. While they are similar to pagan celebrations, they ARE NOT.

The Church Fathers realized that the new converts to Christianity had been living their lives celebrating pagan holidays, and to "cold turkey" cut them off would be difficult, if not impossible IMO. So they figured the pagans had been abusing these days long enough, it was time to turn them into Celebrations of God/Jesus and Christianity!

The ONLY Holiday that Christians should be avoiding is Halloween. No doubt that is a pagan celebration with ZERO Christian influence or gain.

 

[Laura798]

Over the past few years I've done a decent amount of research on the origins of Christian Traditions and many of them I struggle with. One of the big ones being Christmas. We can trace the origins of the tree to worship of Saturn and the time of the year aligns with the rebirth of the Sun that happens with the solstice and Christians will celebrate the birth of the Son of God. The comparison is not lost upon me.

Granted, I'm totally aware that these are just symbols and I'm not questioning Christian Doctrine, but only struggle seeing these symbols and comparisons everywhere around this time of the year.

Be Blessed.

Hi Kino,

I believe Christmas didn't become a national holiday in the U.S. until 1885--Germans introduced the Christmas tree in the u.s but had it as a tradition in Germany as far back as the 16th Century. Many believers at that time knew its pagan roots having come from Europe and were against it.

"St. Boniface is said to have introduced the use of evergreens in connection with his efforts to Christianize the Germanic tribes in the 8th century. He dedicated the fir tree (Tannenbaum) to the Christ Child, displacing the pagan oak tree of Odin."

This tradition of bringing a tree into the house had pagan roots going back 3000 year ago. Jeremiah 10:1-25 says:

"A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move."

Also December 25 was the birthday celebration of Tammuz, son of the Sun God, Nimrod and Semiramus--known by other names in Greek, Roman, Egypt etc.

"About eight months later, remaining in the land of Shinar, Saternalia became pregnant, and had to "rescue her situation". She then claimed that her late husband, which was now "the Sun", impregnated her with the rays of the Sun, and her son, which she named Tammuz, was born on the Winter solstice. Tammuz was worshiped as the reincarnation of the sun god "Nimrod", and his birthday is recognized up until this day, on December 25th.

Since mankind was scattered after the worship of Nimrod had begun, each culture around the world had its local version of sun god worship, with their particular deity having their birthday being on the Winter solstice. For example, the Egyptians had the god Ra, the Greeks had Zeus and Helios , and the Romans had Jupiter and Invictus, all having their birthday on what is now December 25th. All around the world, you will find the local gods, having a "sun halo" over their heads."

Christmas trees did begin as a pagan tradition as early as the fourth century C.E., according to ABC News. European pagans were largely responsible for dressing their homes with the branches of evergreen fir trees in order to bring color and light into their dull winters. But pagans weren't the only people to do this. Romans also used the branches for decoration during the festival of Saturnalia, which took place from December 17 to December 23 in honor of the God Saturn.

https://www.newsweek.com/christmas-...es did begin as,light into their dull winters.

My problem isn't so much about decorating--though when I think of all the money spent on THAT and gift giving to each other--I really see little of the celebration of Christ in it even with Christians--it's all about food and present buying. Instead of having big Christmas performances and gift buying I'd personally prefer to see all that money spent on the poor. Or given to missions.

Also I have heard of churches CLOSING on December 25th so the pastor and church employees can spend the holiday with their families-- Christ's birthday and the church is CLOSED?

We don't see the first century church celebrating Christ's birthday. After I discovered the pagan roots, seeing all the parties and gift giving, but Christ's birth not really celebrated even amongst Christians ,I decided I no longer wanted to celebrate it. We are to celebrate Christ every day not just Easter--and that is a whole nother thing--Easter (Ishtar--also Semiramuis, Diana, Artemis, Isis, e.g. Queen of Heaven mentioned in the OT ) eggs and rabbit symbolizing fertility--how did that become a part of Christ's resurrection? I've even seen churches decorate with that stuff AND have Easter Egg hunts--a big thumbs down on that and Santa Claus. Hot cross buns with the T are pagan too--it stood for Tammuz.

My son drew a cartoon (as an adult) of a birthday party for Jesus and it shows a guy, not knowing who Jesus is at His own birthday party! It was funny and sad at the same time.

Thats my 75 cents....

 

[Laura798]

Over the past few years I've done a decent amount of research on the origins of Christian Traditions and many of them I struggle with. One of the big ones being Christmas. We can trace the origins of the tree to worship of Saturn and the time of the year aligns with the rebirth of the Sun that happens with the solstice and Christians will celebrate the birth of the Son of God. The comparison is not lost upon me.

Granted, I'm totally aware that these are just symbols and I'm not questioning Christian Doctrine, but only struggle seeing these symbols and comparisons everywhere around this time of the year.

Be Blessed.

Ps to clarify my prior post--when I said some churches close on December 25th--what I meant was when the 25th lands on a Sunday.

 

[Blade]

Over the past few years I've done a decent amount of research on the origins of Christian Traditions and many of them I struggle with. One of the big ones being Christmas. We can trace the origins of the tree to worship of Saturn and the time of the year aligns with the rebirth of the Sun that happens with the solstice and Christians will celebrate the birth of the Son of God. The comparison is not lost upon me.

Granted, I'm totally aware that these are just symbols and I'm not questioning Christian Doctrine, but only struggle seeing these symbols and comparisons everywhere around this time of the year.

Be Blessed.

No.. see my GOD? He made ever day.. there is nothing some man can do that has more power over our GOD king of Kings lord of lords. I know XMas is not the day Christ was born.. I don't know what others see but to me Dec 25th Jesus came in the flesh to save this world. Now did anyone ever celebrate that day? HAHA I know all the angels did and if one day is like a thousands and a thousand like one day.. its only been a tad over 2 days now and they are still rejoicing!

This is what I see.. Christ came.. that moment I hold on to ever day I walk this earth. Forgive me some of your facts are not exactly on par. Am I to do nothing and let the world see Santa Claus? No.. no they will see and know Jesus Christ is the reason.. and He loved this world so much. Put your eyes on HIM..why He came.....focus on Him. Don't want to celebrate that day.. don't. The tree... I can get by with NEVER having one.. my wife loves to put all kind of things on it. Like eating meat that was offered up...

see Jesus Christ is real.. anything man or demons fallen angles did.. not real...there is no power in it. CHRIST is real. So on that day I give Him all my praise and thanks for loving this world! Not going to let something thats no real steal my joy.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Granted, I'm totally aware that these are just symbols and I'm not questioning Christian Doctrine, but only struggle seeing these symbols and comparisons everywhere around this time of the year.

There are two sides to all Christian holidays -- the commercial/secular side and the spiritual/Gospel side. So the best thing to do is focus on the spiritual/Gospel side and ignore the rest. Nothing to struggle with.

 

[Omegatime]

I neither celebrate Halloween, Christmas or the easter bunny. In my family I am known as the grinch. Imagine Israel having celebrating a holiday similar to christmas for some reason and the saying "He knows if you been naughty or nice" making him a god and the children grow up knowing you lied to them. If it wasn't for grace we would have no hope. My personal belief it is why we see such few miracles and the manifestation of the gifts are few.

 

[fish8jonah]

Ps to clarify my prior post--when I said some churches close on December 25th--what I meant was when the 25th lands on a Sunday.

Wow, this seems like a double hit - no regular Sunday service, and no service on Christmas day. So sad...

 

[fish8jonah]

I grew up in England where the Christmas celebrations are quite extensive. I've always loved Christmas time, but also despaired that people remove Jesus from it. Christmas cards that say "season's greetings" for example, and not "Merry Christmas".

I remember one year in Birmingham (UK) when Ramadan and Diwali fell in December. The town council tried renaming Christmas to "winterval" to be all inclusive. It didn't really catch on, thankfully.

Here in the Netherlands you'd hardly notice Christmas at all; it's much more subtle but it does make it more Christian for those who do celebrate it. It's good, but it makes me realise that I do like the celebrations! The tree, the music, the jumpers, lights and decorations, etc..

I remember a sermon by a pastor who said that whilst it was sad that Jesus isn't involved in many Christmas celebrations, it doesn't mean we need to abstain from those celebrations - because it's up to us to keep Jesus in them! He suggested putting some straw in our pockets so that each time we put our hand in our pocket we remember the manger.

It's a lesson I think we could do in a lot of things. After all, God is in everything!

 

[Laura798]

There are two sides to all Christian holidays -- the commercial/secular side and the spiritual/Gospel side. So the best thing to do is focus on the spiritual/Gospel side and ignore the rest. Nothing to struggle with.

The only problem is the so called other side has invaded the church. 'Christian' families getting together, busy buying gifts, busy buying and preparing food, money spent on all the decorations--sum total throughout the world is in the billions. For what? Christians may say "Thank you for your Son around the dinner table, but Id venture to guess their mind is much more on all the preparations and celebrations, than on Christ. It appears 'good' but is it?

To me, I don't feel it really is a celebration of Christ's birth or his resurrection--I've seen a pastor throw a football around on that day and a selfie booth decorated with the easter bunny and easter eggs. I've seen churches decorated with Christmas trees and christmas presents--instead of setting our mind on Christ I feel it sets our mind on things of this world.

And all that money to me is wasted--gifts that people don't need, that go put up on a closet shelf, toys soon broken or cast aside. When you read about money and the first century church it all went to the poor and churches in need. It went to help support those who worked full-time for the gospel--and even Paul said "I continue to work, lest I be a burden to you."

If it could become Christ centered--without the gifts and gross money spent on decorations--but I dont see that happening. It's important to note that the first century church celebrated neither His birth or resurrection in such a way--we are to celebrate it everyday.