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Guest blogger Davis Danizier “3-D” began life as a political and religious conservative, even entering into formal Seminary studies. Gradually, he became troubled by inconsistencies in factual assertions and values in both political and religious conservatism and, after deeply traumatic soul searching, reversed course in both areas. After retiring from a career in commercial property and casualty insurance, Dave has had the free time and flexibility to share with others some of the thoughts that led to his life-altering epiphanies. His book “Betrayal of Jesus” presents unorthodox (believers might say heretical) perspectives on the Christian mythology. Dave currently resides in Oceanside, California.
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About "3-D"Danizier"Be wise. Be wild. Care for others. Love your neighbor as yourself. The mysteries of the universe are not beyond your grasp." https://danizier.wordpress.com |
The Reason for the Season
It’s beginning to look (and sound) a lot like Christmas! And that means it won’t be long before the religious conservatives commence their paranoid fantasies of a mythical “war on Christmas” while they try to justify using public resources to make everyone else participate in their religious observances and rituals, pursuing their ultimate goal of socialized religion since they apparently don’t trust that their churches, homes and religious schools are up to the task.
And of course, they will go around telling us that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But what of this season? Certainly Jesus joins Santa Claus as a favored icon of this jolly time of year.
Both of these myths originate from actual persons who supposedly existed (though there is no certainty of documentation for either), Jesus of Nazareth and Saint Nicolas, Bishop of Myra. But from what sketchy facts we have about either of these men, much myth, legend, fantasy and magic has evolved.
Both of these myths represent legends in which they offer free gifts — Jesus brings salvation and Santa brings toys to children. In both cases, the gifts are unconditional, well, with the exception that in each case they do have the requirement that you believe in them. At one time in my life, I believed in a real, literal Santa Claus who brought me presents for Christmas. Still later, I believed in a real, literal Jesus as savior who magically makes my “sins” disappear in return for accepting a human sacrifice. While I have outgrown the literal belief in the magical, fantasy aspects of both mythologies, I continue to embrace and celebrate the spirit of joy, love and (almost) unconditional giving represented by each.
But is Jesus (or Santa Claus) the “reason for the season”? Actually, not even close. There are four seasons, summer, spring, fall and the current approach season of WINTER. And the REASON for this approaching winter season is the winter solstice! The Solstice was celebrated long before Jesus' birth, in all parts of the world, in different ways.
In the Roman Empire, the Solstice celebration was a drunken orgiastic bacchanal celebrating all the earthly pleasures on December 25, in recognition of the lengthening days, called the Saturnalia after their god Saturn who, even in modern astrology (which originates from ancient times), is the ruler of the winter season. (More people who read their horoscopes each morning are actually worshiping the Greek gods than Christians do.)
When Rome converted to Christianity, the Romans had two problems: First, people may change their beliefs but, like me and many former Christians, we're less willing to give up our favorite holidays, even when the religious beliefs behind them change, and neither were the Romans. Second, the new church was honoring various saints on their birthdays, but the most central figure of the entire faith, Jesus himself, had been born in a humble stable and no one knew the exact day, though most scholars suspect it most likely sometime in the Spring.
Assigning Jesus' birthday to December 25 and making it the biggest holiday of the new religion, addressed both of these problems. And as Christianity spread north, it imported many pagan traditions, including traditions of holly wreaths that bear their fruits in the depths of winter and evergreen trees that stay green when others are bare. Also added were yule logs for winter warmth, Father Winter, who was blended into the mythology of St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra, to evolve into Santa Claus, and pagan myths of elves and a magical North Pole, along with some leftover revelry and drunkenness from the old Saturnalia.
The new traditions co-opted and replaced the Saturnalia and a new super-holiday was born, still centered on the Solstice, and still based on the reason for celebrating that season, the wither solstice and the lengthening of days it heralded.
Christmas was here before Jesus, and while the addition of the Christian tradition is one important component of Christmas, the holiday still goes on with or without him. Jesus is not the “reason for the season,” and Christmas is but one of many holidays celebrated during this season.
Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.
for more insights into Dave's thoughts check out his blog at; https://danizier.wordpress.com
Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...
2000 year old tree in South Africa known as tree of life!!!
Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...
2000 year old tree in South Africa known as tree of life!!!
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