Is Christmas a Christian (or Catholic) Holiday?

[evenifigoalone]

We need to be saved with our skin and teeth and internal organs intact. The Jewish doctoring had to be deprecated.

 

[GLASNOST]

..... Christmas is a Christian holiday ....... It does have some pagan rituals brought into it ,.....

What do you mean "brought into it"? You believe that Christmas was pure and then pagan rituals were later "brought into it"? Oh no, pagan rituals are the backbone of Christmas.

 

[evenifigoalone]

What do you mean "brought into it"? You believe that Christmas was pure and then pagan rituals were later "brought into it"? Oh no, pagan rituals are the backbone of Christmas.

Not what I said or meant. And I really don't care if they were or not.

 

[GLASNOST]

Not what I said or meant. And I really don't care if they were or not.

It may not be what you meant - but it is what you said.

 

[evenifigoalone]

It may not be what you meant - but it is what you said.

Semantics.

 

[GLASNOST]

Pagan.

Considering the complete lack of scientific knowledge of the time it really couldn't be anything but pagan.

 

[GLASNOST]

Semantics.

No. Pure definition. "brought into it".

 

[evenifigoalone]

No. Pure definition.

Dude, you're really arguing about what words I decided to use and acting like that's what I meant. It's a red herring from the actual discussion.

 

[GLASNOST]

Dude, you're really arguing about what words I decided to use and acting like that's what I meant. It's a red herring from the actual discussion.

Your reading comprehension sucks. Show me anywhere in my response(es) that I said anything about 'what you meant' in that manner.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Your reading comprehension sucks. Show me anywhere in my response(es) that I said anything about 'what you meant' in that manner.

lol, sure ya knowitall.
If you want to get back to the ACTUAL discussion, I'll give it another chance. Otherwise. See ya.

 

[GLASNOST]

Your reading comprehension sucks. Show me anywhere in my response(es) that I said anything about 'what you meant' in that manner.

lol, sure ya knowitall.
If you want to get back to the ACTUAL discussion, I'll give it another chance. Otherwise. See ya.

So ... you can't and now you're running away from the discussion altogether.

 

[evenifigoalone]

So ... you can't and now you're running away from the discussion altogether.

Ah, still red herring-ing I see. What words I used are not related at all to the actual discussion, which is "is Christmas pagan or not". Usually people who do this cannot back up their arguments, but I'll give you the benefit of a doubt and just say you feel like being a smartass.

You are officially on my ignore list. Bye.

 

[GLASNOST]

Ah, still red herring-ing I see. What words I used are not related at all to the actual discussion, which is "is Christmas pagan or not". Usually people who do this cannot back up their arguments, but I'll give you the benefit of a doubt and just say you feel like being a smartass.

You are officially on my ignore list. Bye.

It is important in such a discussion to note that paganism is the core of Christmas and not some righteous celebration into which a few elements of paganism managed to seep.

Your original statement supports the idea that Christmas was pure (whatever that might mean) but that some pagan elements were allowed to take root. The issue with 'what you meant' by it was resolved after the first three replies so I really do not know what your problem is but it is most certainly your own personal baggage that makes you feel threatened.

 

[zaangalewa]

Pagan.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Personally I'm extremely unconcerned with whether or not there are pagan elements, be they heavy or be they light. But to say it was entirely non-Christian in origin seems delusional to me.

 

[zaangalewa]

Personally I'm extremely unconcerned with whether or not there are pagan elements, be they heavy or be they light. But to say it was entirely non-Christian in origin seems delusional to me.

Here a picture from Santa Claus:

 

[Colin norris]

I find this piece interesting and tellworthy, because nowadays many denie the christian roots of Christmas they just equal it with ancient pagan roots, and consumerism. They want to erase the Christ out of Christmas. Many just say "But Christmas is pagan not Christian."

Read Catholic Roots of Christmas


Catholic Roots of Christmas
December 19, 2020
Christmas honors the pivotal day which altered all of history. Christians around the world celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Christ Jesus. On this day, God Incarnate departed the hidden tabernacle of Mary’s womb into the blissful embrace of His mother’s arms. And she, in turn, presented this unblemished child, this Divine Gift, to all the world that we might adore Him as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

As with any child’s arrival, there are many preparations to be made before welcoming the new family member; an expecting family gathers bathing items, blankets, and a collection of cozy outfits. Faithful members of the Catholic Christian family prepare for Christ’s coming by observing the season of Advent.

Advent is a time of joyful anticipation in which the faithful prepare their hearts for the most special arrival of the Divine Infant. Formally introduced by the Council of Tours in 567 AD, the Advent season begins four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. This period provides a precursor to the special holy day when the Light of the World shines amidst the darkness, the Sign of Hope dispels all despair.

One Catholic tradition orienting believers toward Christ’s coming is the Nativity Scene. This practice harkens back to Medieval times when in 1223, St. Francis of Assisi directed a live nativity scene as a form of public remembrance honoring Christ’s birth. St. Francis wanted to bring the Gospels to life, assigning parts for Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others so that in witnessing this reenactment, all people would learn the extraordinary story of God’s love for mankind. Often the nativity creche remains empty until Christmas Eve as a reminder that the faithful eagerly await the Christ child. And when the Divine Infant arrives, how much greater is the joy during the Christmas vigil when Baby Jesus joins the Holy Family and all humanity!

When the faithful prepare their hearts properly, the blessings of Christmas may be appreciated in full. “We Christians are called to safeguard and spread the joy of waiting,” Pope Francis declared in a Vatican address. Additionally, much as the faithful await Christ’s birth in remembrance of the first Christmas, the Catholic liturgical readings point the faithful toward awaiting Christ’s ultimate return upon Judgement Day.

According to Catholic tradition, the rejoicing of Christ’s coming lasts considerably longer than one great day. Rather, it stretches from the Christmas vigil Mass until the Feast of the Epiphany, sometimes called Three Kings’ Day.

Why did the Church choose to celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25? The most direct answer is that according to the Roman calendar, this day marked the winter solstice. Saint Augustine explained the significance of this day in remembering Christ’s coming, writing, “on the day which is the shortest in our earthly reckoning and from which subsequent days begin to increase in length. He, therefore, who bent low and lifted us up chose the shortest day, yet the one whence light begins to increase.”

The most excellent Catholic tradition of celebrating Christmas as a family is attending Holy Mass together. Even young adults who may have strayed from observing other tenets of their Catholic faith will often return to Mass with their families in order to observe the sacred Feast of the Nativity.

Christmas is a rare time when the Mass readings differ according to the order in which the Mass is offered. There are four distinct Christmas Masses. The Vigil Mass is offered at the start of Christmas Eve. The Mass of the angels is a popular celebration, offered at midnight. The Dawn Mass is called the Mass of the Shepherds; it is offered early morning. Finally, on Christmas Day, the priest offers the Mass of the Divine Word.

The Christmas octave is punctuated with a feast that originally honored Christ’s circumcision. In present times, the Catholic Church commemorates the first day of the year as the Feast of Mary, Mother of God. This holy day respects Mary’s unique human privilege of forming Christ physically and spiritually before releasing Him into the world to fulfill His divine salvific work.

The end of the Christmas season points toward this extraordinary mission for which God entered the world. According to Catholic tradition, the Magi, called the Three Kings, spent 12 days following a star. The brilliant star led them to Bethlehem, where Jesus had just been born. The Wise Men—Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar—presented three symbolic gifts to the Holy Family for their newborn son. The kings presented to the Divine Child gold to honor His kingship, frankincense to honor His priesthood, and myrrh to honor His humanity.

Many families around the world present gifts to one another either in celebration of Christmas Day or in commemoration of the Three Kings. The faithful fulfill the Christmas spirit when offering their own hearts to the Divine Messiah who humbled Himself to enter the world as a small child.

Article written by Myriah C. Boudreaux for Christian Catholic Media

Myriah C. Boudreaux graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a BA in Psychology. Soon after, she left her native Southern California home to marry a FUS alumnus, start a family, settle in Bayou Country with her Cajun husband, and begin a career homeschooling their ever-growing family. With seven children ranging from ages 21 – 2, her practical understanding of Heavenly Father's patience, love, and mercy is continually expanding.

I can't believe you believe that God shit

 

[evenifigoalone]

Here a picture from Santa Claus:

He came to punch heretics and give out presents and he's all out of presents

 

[GLASNOST]

Personally I'm extremely unconcerned with whether or not there are pagan elements, be they heavy or be they light ......

"extremely unconcerned", huh? I'd call that a contradiction in terms particularly considering how many posts you're submitted to the thread on that very issue.

But to say it was entirely non".-Christian in origin seems delusional to me.

That cannot be a statement from a person who's extremely unconcerned. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks"! Your defence of the purity of Christmas is weak. Very weak.

 

[zaangalewa]

I can't believe you believe that God shit

We do the same and we are his children. The process in total is called "metabolism". We need energy to be in a dynamic equlibrium here in this place where we are now.