Wednesday, December 21, 2005
'Tis the Season
Someone in one of my Pagan Groups wrote this little ditty and passed it along in answer to all of the "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" emails we get innundated with this time of year. I actually got one the other day defiantly proclaiming that a decorated evergreen tree was not a Holiday Tree, it was a Christmas Tree, damnit! And we all just needed to accept that fact and get over it. To which I replied with
this article from ReligiousTolerance.org about the ACTUAL origins of the Christmas Tree.
I try to ignore them. I really do. I know they're deluded and anything I say will just be dismissed as the heathenistic ramblings of a hopeless, godless, satan worshiper. But I have always subscribed to the theory put forth by Gallagher: "If you don't tell ignorance and stupidity they're wrong, ignorance and stupidity will think it's ok!" And when the urge gets to strong or the stupidity is too blatant I just can't keep my mouth shut. No matter how hard I try. As Dr. King said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
So anyway, here is a very well written, IMHO, piece to send back to those folks who insist Jesus is the reason for the season...
In the hustle and bustle of our modern, commercial holiday madness, it's easy to forget exactly what the true reason for the season is. December 25 has been celebrated as a time of divine birth, renewal, hope, and generosity for thousands of years. It is the traditional time to celebrate the birth of a God in many religions. However, Christianity is actually a relative latecomer in claiming this festive time of year for it's tale of divine birth.
It is interesting to note that at the time of the birth of Jesus, birth records, with the exception of those pertaining to wealthy and politically important personages, were generally not recorded. The son of God would naturally require a divine birth, and so the myth of the Virgin birth was developed and the Winter Solstice adopted as his birthday. This was made official in the year 354 AD.
This story, however, may not be entirely myth and fiction. The Essene Buddhist temple closest to Jerusalem (Buddhism predates Christianity by at least 600 years) did keep records, and there is an indication that three astrologers went to give witness to a birth of the next Tulka (a divine being on Earth in their religion). This Tulka would later come to study at their monastery for 18 years, from age 12 to age 30. This would correlate with the three wise men, give a reasonable explanation for the missing years of Jesus' life according to the Bible, and provide a sound theory as to the origins of Jesus' teachings of non-violence, forgiveness, universal love, and his rejection of material wealth. All of these are Buddhist traits which his training in such a monastery would have impressed upon him, and at the time would have also included training in energy healing techniques. (See the book, Jesus Lived In India by Holger Kersten for more information.)
There are many theories that speculate as to the correct date of the historic Jesus' birth. We will never know the truth, but it most certainly was not December 25th. Even within the Bible there are clues that point to this fiction. Luke 2:8 "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." If flocks were still in the field, then the date must have been earlier in the year.
The Church Fathers in 354 selected the date we all celebrate as the unquestioned birth of Jesus, December 25th. This date was not selected at random. In fact there were very good reasons to pick this day to celebrate divine birth. The Winter Solstice was celebrated throughout Europe, Northern Africa, Egypt, the Middle East, and into India as a time of renewal of hope symbolized in by a Divine birth. Mithraism, another cult that had emerges approximately at the same time as Christianity, celebrated the divine birth of Mithras at this time, also to a virgin and witnessed by shepherds and astologers. The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia was historically celebrated around the Solstice. Deciding to celebrate the birth of Jesus at this time was also a very calculated decision designed to make converting the Classical Pagans of Europe to the new, mandated religion of Rome easier.
Our most recognizable modern traditions associated with Christmas, however, stem from the Germanic, Norse, Celtic, and Anglo-Saxon customs. Yule (Jul) is a Norse/Germanic word meaning "wheel". The Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, marked the turning of the "Wheel of the Year" (a term commonly used by modern Pagans) from dark to light. This was a celebration of the return of the Sun, which was a reason for hope during the long, cold nights of winter that lay ahead. This increase of light could then be measured and proven within a few days, around December 25th. These Teutonic people gave us the Yule log (burned to welcome one's ancestors to celebrate), the significance of mistletoe (sacred to both the Druids and the Vikings), as well as our most visible and common symbol, the decorated evergreen tree.
And then there's Santa Claus and his eight reindeer. What about them? Well, that myth didn't just appear out of no where. Odin, upon his eight legged-steed (Sleipnir), or sometimes seen in a chariot drawn by this eight-legged horse, was known for riding about to reward or punish people at this time of year. He also disguised himself as an old man with a floppy hat on these excursions. Although, an equally valid argument could be made that Santa Claus is actually the Celtic Holly King, among other figures from Pagan Europe.
The Winter Solstice is named as the birthday for many Gods such as Adonis, Balder, Cernunos, Frey, Osiris, Thor, Dionysus, Mithras, and most recently Jesus. This time of year has inspired all manner of celebrations, including Chanukah and within the past few years, Kwanzaa. There is certainly something very magical about this time of year.
What's the reason for the season? I prefer to look to the season's origins and perpetual themes. I celebrate the Winter Solstice by one of it's oldest names- Yule. And as the Wheel of the Year turns again to longer and warmer days, may the spirit of Yuletide, of hope, peace, love, generosity, good will and fellowship continue throughout each blessed season. These are the themes that will endure and outlast self-loathing dogma, religious power-plays, and political empires.
So, as you enjoy your egg nog, trim your tree, kiss someone under the mistletoe, and sing "Deck the Halls (with boughs of holly)", or "Santa Claus is coming to town", remember where these traditions actually came from. And if you know someone who is Pagan, as I am, try wishing them a Happy Yule. After all, most of our modern holiday traditions are Pagan in origin. Let's give credit where credit is due.
Yule Blessings, 2005
Catherine Ellis (Lady A)
posted by Unknown
at 1:28 AM ::
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