The Pagan Origin Of Christmas: Jesus Was Not Born On December 25th But Some Pagan Gods were!

Good timing on this article. Thought it was an interesting read on the origins of Christmas.

Source: Mysteries of the World

Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25th? Most people assume that it has always been a Christian holiday and that it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. But it turns out that Jesus was not born on December 25th. However, a whole bunch of pagan gods were born on that day. In fact, pagans celebrated a festival involving a heroic supernatural figure that visits an evergreen tree and leaves gifts on December 25th long before Jesus was ever born. From its early Babylonian roots, the celebration of the birth or "rebirth" of the sun god on December 25th came to be celebrated under various names all over the ancient world. You see, the winter solstice occurs a few days before December 25th each year. The winter solstice is the day of the year when daylight is the shortest. In ancient times, December 25th was the day each year when the day started to become noticeably longer. Thus it was fitting for the early pagans to designate December 25th as the date of the birth or the "rebirth" of the sun.

The truth is that thousands of years before there was a "Santa Claus", there was another supernatural figure who would supposedly visit a tree and leave gifts every December 25th.

His name was Nimrod.

After Nimrod's death (c. 2167 BC), Semiramis promoted the belief that he was a god. She claimed that she saw a full-grown evergreen tree spring out of the roots of a dead tree stump, symbolizing the springing forth of new life for Nimrod. On the anniversary of his birth, she said, Nimrod would visit the evergreen tree and leave gifts under it.

So when you offer "yuletide" greetings, you are actually acknowledging Nimrod's birthday.

[edit on 12/11/2009 by x2Strongx]

The only pagan god born on christmas day was the sun, and thats all it is.

You cannot tell me anything before you where born is truth unless you know for sure with these things.

Not to sound like I'm ragging on you but I really hate the term "Pagan"...

See I'm Native American I follow the beliefs and traditions handed down by my ancestors... we've been doing the same thing far longer than Christianity been around yet were labeled "Pagan" or better yet "Heathen" got to love that one....

I'm not saying you should try to be PC here but ya know we really need a better, nicer term for we none X-tains one that doesn't makes us sound like a pack of loin cloth wearing cavemen...

BTW Dec was picked as X-mas because we "Pagans" celebrate the winter Solstice at around the same time (9:47 am in the morning of Monday, December 21 for this year)... FYI did you know every year the world spends around 35 billion dollars on X-mass stuff... decorations presents sundries... yup 35 billion in personal wealth, poof, gone, just like that..

[edit on 11-12-2009 by DaddyBare]

Most Christians are aware of the pagan roots of Christmas. It was the institutionalized church that tried to convert pagans to Christianity by allowing them to continue to practice their pagan rituals and celebrations under a new name. Today it doesn't matter. Christmas is not about religion at all. Unless, of course, you worship the almight dollar!

Here's a video that was posted on the Source that was listed in the OP

reply to post by x2Strongx


Pretty sure it's just a Winter solstice thing.

Festival of Saturnalia and Sol Invictus in Rome also contributed.

And of course now Christmas has become a corporate consumerist nightmare forcing us to buy things we don't need for people who won't appreciate them.

I never did like Christmas, mainly because of the double standard of teaching all about Jesus and kindness and giving and then greedily asking for all sorts of meaningless possessions. I used to be just as excited as the next kid on Christmas Eve but once all the presents were open I was left feeling hollow and unfulfilled, even then I understood that material possessions did little to better my life.

[edit on 11-12-2009 by Titen-Sxull]

'Yule' is the Pagan Sabbat (21st Dec - 23rd Dec) it sees the fatal battle between the Holly King & the Oak King ... the Oak King wins and sees us through to 'Litha' (Mid-summer / Summer Solstice / 21st June) when the Holly King resumes the throne and takes back the crown ... until the following 'Yule' (and so on and so forth).

The Winter Solstice on the 21st Dec sees the birth of the Sun God (Lugh) ... symbolically this represents the Sun (in it's infant stage), growing stronger from this point and the days growing longer until they reach their peak at the Summer Solstice.

Woody.

reply to post by DaddyBare


Didn't intend to be Non-PC. Actually my wife is Native American and her and I have always been interested in alternative beliefs, theories, history, etc...

I just thought this article was interesting hearing about some of the origins on the practices that many people do this time of year.

Originally posted by DaddyBare
Not to sound like I'm ragging on you but I really hate the term "Pagan"...

See I'm Native American I follow the beliefs and traditions handed down by my ancestors... we've been doing the same thing far longer than Christianity been around yet were labeled "Pagan" or better yet "Heathen" got to love that one....

I'm not saying you should try to be PC here but ya know we really need a better, nicer term for we none X-tains one that doesn't makes us sound like a pack of loin cloth wearing cavemen...

BTW Dec was picked as X-mas because we "Pagans" celebrate the winter Solstice at around the same time (9:47 am in the morning of Monday, December 21 for this year)... FYI did you know every year the world spends around 35 billion dollars on X-mass stuff... decorations presents sundries... yup 35 billion in personal wealth, poof, gone, just like that..

[edit on 11-12-2009 by DaddyBare]

Sorry mate, Hate to 'rag ' on you but I'm a Pagan , and proud of it, maybe you should have said you ate the term 'HEATHEN'.
Pagan and Heathen are terms used by other 'Religeous' people to try and ridicule those that do no believe the same as them.

Pagan , and Proud.

reply to post by x2Strongx


Hey there,

I wouldn't worry about being un-pc too much.

The word Pagan is the correct umberella terminology for all pre/non christian beliefs.

Because there are so many it's difficult to please all the people, all of the time.

Unless someone is blatently rude and/or disrespectful I don't think it should be seen as a problem ... we should leave that to the more orthodox types.

Woody

reply to post by DaddyBare


I'm not christian at all but I don't find Pagan to be such a bad term. Thats just me though.

Very nice article! Amusing nonetheless!

Hmmm.. now if we could get some valhalla articles going that can relate to these times I would be most amused hehe.

Cheers!

reply to post by Choiseul


Viking references eh?

Hows about

Wednesday is named after Odin , Odins day, Wodensday
Thursday is named after Thor , Thors day
Friday , something else, I'm too drunk to remember, maybe I'll tell you later.

Why do people think it's such a big thing to "debunk" Christ's being born on December 25th? There is virtually no church that teaches that. It doesn't even mention say it in the Bible. Jesus' birthday is not in anyway integral to Christian doctrine, practice, or life.

If you all have some time, you should watch the first two or three (or maybe it was four, I don't remember) videos of this series that I'm going to embed here. The author goes through the various 'pagan God X' was born on this date (and other various things) and shows how it's not exactly true. I found it interesting.

Originally posted by x2Strongx
reply to post by DaddyBare

 

Didn't intend to be Non-PC. Actually my wife is Native American and her and I have always been interested in alternative beliefs, theories, history, etc...

I just thought this article was interesting hearing about some of the origins on the practices that many people do this time of year.

See that's what I was afraid of.. I didn't want to start a (PC) debate

What I meant was the word "Pagan" Is a christian derogatory... All non-believers are "Pagan"... might as well call us "Infidels"! same term applies right? to us Christianity is an alternative belief... What's with the communion deal? taking a eucharist??? now that borders on cannibalism, eating the body of Christ??? very weird indeed... but remember... I have an entirely different view of the world both earthly and spiritually.... So "Pagan" ... well that's a bit insulting if you see my point... Tell your wife next time I go to a drumming I'll think of her and you...

reply to post by x2Strongx


I always new Jesus wasn’t born on the 25th of December.... Who really cares? I do hate the fact some people try to associate the day with his birth but to me Christmas is being with family, getting your kids a little something special. Helping with adopt a families and making sure there Xmas is a little better. Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards men..

Merry Christmas!!!!!

reply to post by DaddyBare


Shame on you daddy bare and your crazy pagan ideas=).

I understood what your are saying, as I think most people did, however some people are senstive and do not release you are not a PC warrior.

reply to post by DaddyBare


Appreciate the thoughts!

Another interesting tidbit on the link below on other virgin births throughout history... (Or what is believed anyway... )


Virgin Births in History
I would quote some of it... but it wouldn't do the site any justice. If interested you will need to visit the site.

reply to post by DataWraith


Friday represents Venus.

The Goddess Freida (Frigg) eventually replaced Venus.

I'm going to take a real chance here and pray the mods dont get pissed but...

up until the 20th century there was a non-penetration sexual technique that was common practice for unmarried couples... it let the couple have fun while preserving her "Purity"

basically they used all the same moves as intercourse only the lady let the boy slide along the outside rather than take him in... So you could well imagine if the angle was just right and enough force behind the shoot... instant virgin birth...

reply to post by DaddyBare


Geez... mention s@x and the thread gets quiet...

Back to your post... Interesting. I never really thought about that or heard of that. So I guess the excuse could really be used again... and here I thought it was an excuse that could only be used once... Will have to read more up on the technique... thank you for that add.