I was so hoping I would get a chance to talk about this amazing holiday on the Religion post! The big discussion this time of year is whether or not to say Merry Christmas versus Happy Holidays! And religious zealouts and yahoos around the country hype on puting the “Christ” back in “Christ”mas! Shut up already! Obviously you don’t know your history.
Christmas is based on ancient religions that celebrated nature! In ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast. (More info here) Our christian holidays are centered around the season changes. This was done so that it would be an easier adjustment from ancient religions to new ones. You could still feast at Christmas, and fast at Easter. The evergreen tree is an ancient druid tradition honoring nature and her ability to produce life throughout the year. When you bring a tree in your home, you’re not celebrating Christ’s eternal life, your perpetuating ancient traditions. We didn’t invent St. Nicholas, in many religions there is a jolly benefactor who brings gifts of wisdom and fortune, ever hear of Buddha?
More so, the tradition of gifts to honor the gifts that the 3 wise men brought, um can we say sacrificial offerings to the gods? So this year light a sacrificial fire with incense (Yule Log) and enjoy your homage to nature (Christmas Tree) while drinking your mulled wine (yeah alcohol isn’t pagan at all). I’ll be having a very Merry Christmas here at my house, and will wish everyone the same. If you want to say Happy Holidays and honor all, that’s your business, but don’t rain on my pagan parade!
