Christmas in July: Part 7
Welcome to the first August installment of Christmas in July 😉
If you have just now started this series, you may want to back up and begin with ➜ Part 1 as we've covered a lot of ground.
In Part 6 I shared how early believers transitioned from keeping YHVH's feasts to observing holidays created by church leaders and politicians.
In this portion, I want to paint a better picture of what the pagans of the day were celebrating, so you can get an idea of the different festivals that were slowly merged together between 274 and 325 AD under the umbrella of Christmas.
While the Bible is my main source for all truth, I will be using a book titled Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan by Clement A. Miles within this blog to share some information about 2 ancient winter festivals.
The book was originally published in 1912, and can be read and downloaded for free at this link on Project Gutenberg. The research Mr. Miles has done is quite impressive, and his delivery is objective and intelligent.
Saturnalia
“The strictly religious feast of the Saturnalia was held on December 17, but the festal customs were kept up for seven days, thus lasting until the day before our Christmas Eve. Among them was a fair called the sigillariorum celebritas, for the sale of little images of clay or paste which were given away as presents. Candles seem also to have been given away, perhaps as symbols of, or even charms to ensure, the return of the sun's power after the solstice. The most remarkable and typical feature, however, of the Saturnalia was the mingling of all classes in a common jollity.”
I am going to stop here for now. You have done a lot of reading. But there is more...so much more....
If you have just now started this series, you may want to back up and begin with ➜ Part 1 as we've covered a lot of ground.
In Part 6 I shared how early believers transitioned from keeping YHVH's feasts to observing holidays created by church leaders and politicians.
In this portion, I want to paint a better picture of what the pagans of the day were celebrating, so you can get an idea of the different festivals that were slowly merged together between 274 and 325 AD under the umbrella of Christmas.
While the Bible is my main source for all truth, I will be using a book titled Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan by Clement A. Miles within this blog to share some information about 2 ancient winter festivals.
The book was originally published in 1912, and can be read and downloaded for free at this link on Project Gutenberg. The research Mr. Miles has done is quite impressive, and his delivery is objective and intelligent.
Saturnalia
“The strictly religious feast of the Saturnalia was held on December 17, but the festal customs were kept up for seven days, thus lasting until the day before our Christmas Eve. Among them was a fair called the sigillariorum celebritas, for the sale of little images of clay or paste which were given away as presents. Candles seem also to have been given away, perhaps as symbols of, or even charms to ensure, the return of the sun's power after the solstice. The most remarkable and typical feature, however, of the Saturnalia was the mingling of all classes in a common jollity.”
No discourse shall be either composed or delivered, except it be witty and lusty, conducing to mirth and jollity. ”
“There follow directions as to the sending of presents of money, clothing, or vessels, by rich men to poor friends, and as to poor men's gifts in return. ”
“Over the whole festival brooded the thought of a golden age in the distant past, when Saturn ruled, a just and kindly monarch, when all men were good and all men were happy.”
Excerpt From: Clement A. Miles. “Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan.” iBooks.
Kalends of January
“The same is true of the festival of the January Kalends, a few days after the Saturnalia. On January 1, the Roman New Year's Day, the new consuls were inducted into office, and for at least three days high festival was kept. The houses were decorated with lights and greenery—these, we shall find, may be partly responsible for the modern Christmas-tree. ”
“An interesting and very full account of the Kalends celebrations is given in two discourses of Libanius, the famous Greek sophist of the fourth century:— “The festival of the Kalends,” he says, “is celebrated everywhere as far as the limits of the Roman Empire extend.... Everywhere may be seen carousals and well-laden tables; luxurious abundance is found in the houses of the rich, but also in the houses of the poor better food than usual is put upon the table. The impulse to spend seizes everyone. He who the whole year through has taken pleasure in saving and piling up his pence, becomes suddenly extravagant. He who erstwhile was accustomed and preferred to live poorly, now at this feast enjoys himself as much as his means will allow.... People are not only generous towards themselves, but also towards their fellow-men. A stream of presents pours itself out on all sides.... ”
“In the passage quoted from Caesarius of Arles there was mention of the laying of tables with abundance of food at the Kalends."
"In one instance Alsso admits that the Church had adopted and transformed a heathen usage: the old calendisationes or processions with an idol Bel had been changed into processions of clergy and choir-boys with the crucifix.”
Excerpt From: Clement A. Miles. “Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan.” iBooks.
I am going to stop here for now. You have done a lot of reading. But there is more...so much more....
My challenge to you is to go back and see if you find any parts of Saturnalia or Kalends of January that feel a bit too familiar...a bit too similar to Christmas.
Then ask yourself this question:
Which came first:
the pagan festivals or Christmas?
Are we really celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas, or are we simply participating in ancient pagan traditions that have been rebranded to make believers more comfortable?
Most importantly:
Is what we do at Christmas pleasing to YHVH?
Are we really celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas, or are we simply participating in ancient pagan traditions that have been rebranded to make believers more comfortable?
Most importantly:
Is what we do at Christmas pleasing to YHVH?
As you ponder those questions, I hope you will reflect back to Jeroboam and his 8th month festival, as the Bible should be our main source for determining truth. If you need a refresher on that, here is the link to Part 4.
Recall that his festival was considered by YHVH to be an unacceptable counterfeit. An abomination. Israel was exiled from the land due to it...
Can we learn anything from Jeroboam's history that we can apply to our situation here?
Recall that his festival was considered by YHVH to be an unacceptable counterfeit. An abomination. Israel was exiled from the land due to it...
Can we learn anything from Jeroboam's history that we can apply to our situation here?
If you are interested in this topic, your next logical step is to start doing your own research. I encourage that, but I will share with you a word of warning from my own experience. There are people and internet sites that will try to persuade you to walk away from Christmas through fear. Yep, you read that correctly. Fear.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
[2Ti 1:7 KJV]
I urge you dear reader, please continue in sound mind and reject fear as you continue considering this information. There are so many in our culture today preying on the fears of YHVH's people. My prayer is for you to reject fear and consider these things using the Bible as your primary source and history as your next go-to.
So...I am guessing you have a pretty good idea of what I believe to be true about Christmas, but you may be wondering how that might look in practice. I will share with you a bit of practical advice and how I survive the season if you care to know...
when I invite you back to...
when I invite you back to...
Come Seek With Me!
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