“Jesus is the reason for the season” (sigh). Are you sick of hearing this bullshit from Christians? I certainly am, and have decided to collate a post where I can easily access all of the important information to refute these idiots.
Winter Solstice
In the northern hemisphere the winter solstice occurs around 21st-22nd December every year. Many cultures and early civilisations celebrated the change from longer nights to longer days around this time in festivals such as Yule and Saturnalia. The romans appropriated this holiday to the birth of Christ over the century following the conversion to Christianity of Emperor Constantine (AD300 – AD400).
Biblical References
The year of Jesus’ birth is not when most people think (year zero or between 1 BC and 1 AD). Also, more importantly, the date of birth is not, according to gospel, the 25th December.
The (supposedly divinely inspired) writers of the gospels, Luke and Matthew contradict each other by up to 12 years on the date of Jesus’ birth. In fact, the writer of Luke contradicts himself the same way (more info video here). Both gospels are inaccurate around the time of reign and death of Herod the Great, as well as the census of Quirinius of Syria.
It is known, even by theologians, that the gospels tell of the shepherds watching over their flocks in the fields on the night of Jesus’ birth. This would definitely NOT happen in the winter (more likely spring).
Santa Claus
Santa is of course NOT in the bible. Christians can’t really explain Santa, so this is a good one to raise with them. The original St. Nicholas was a monk in Greece / Turkey in the 3rd century AD, however his legend wasn’t co-opted into the typical western Christmas tradition in the USA until the 18th century. The common name Santa Claus, was adapted from the Dutch / German name Sinter Klaas.
The gifting of presents around the winter solstice is another hijacked pagan tradition. Historically at this time the transfer of gifts and giving was from the upper classes to the lower classes as a form of goodwill. Modern Christians now attribute this tradition to St. Nicholas as well as the giving of gifts by the Three Wise Men.
Christmas Trees
Another pagan tradition hijacked and incorporated into the Christian “tradition” of Christmas. Evergreen trees have been used to decorate homes since ancient Egypt and Roman times to ward off evil and celebrate life and strength.
Christmas trees as we know them today came from German settlers in the USA in the 19th century. IN the UK it was made popular by Queen Victoria and Albert (Germanic origin royals of around the same time).
Ēostre and Ostara
Ēostre and Ostara are both pagan / wiccan goddesses celebrating the spring equinox. The festivals celebrate spring with symbolism for new life and fertility such as eggs, bunnies and new growth with flowers and seedlings.
Most woke Christians even admit relating Easter to the resurrection of Jesus is a stretch. Easter has many versions in different cultures such as Passover, Ishtar/Inanna (Mesopotamia/Samaria)
