Myths about the Christian Observation of Christmas – Pr. Joseph Abrahamson, 12/24/24 (3591)
Dec 24, 2024
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Pastor Joseph Abrahamson, an Evangelical Lutheran Synod leader and author of "Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies," dives into the myths surrounding Christmas. He debunks the misconception that Christmas has pagan origins, highlighting its roots in Christian tradition. Abrahamson discusses how early church figures established December 25 as the date of Christ's birth and addresses the complexities between pagan celebrations and the Christian holiday. The importance of understanding historical contexts and biblical foundations is emphasized throughout the conversation.
Christmas was established by early Christians to honor the birth of Jesus, with no ties to pagan traditions.
Misinformation about Christmas's pagan origins highlights the importance of discerning historical evidence in contemporary society.
Deep dives
Dispelling Myths About Christmas Origins
The claim that Christmas is a pagan holiday is thoroughly debunked, as there's no historical evidence linking its celebration to any ancient pagan traditions. Early church practices focused on celebrating Christ's birth, with dates like December 25th and January 6th proposed well before any Roman pagan celebrations emerged. The founding of Christmas as a distinct holiday came from Christian roots aiming to honor the incarnation of Jesus Christ rather than adopting pagan practices. Misconceptions arise from modern memes and social media, which can lead people to erroneously connect Christmas with various mythological figures.
The Historical Context of December 25th
The selection of December 25th for recognizing Christ's birth is based on early Christians' efforts to unify their observances and create a liturgical calendar that reflected their faith. These early church fathers speculated that Christ's conception occurred on March 25th, leading to a birth nine months later on December 25th. Various historical sources and calculations from church leaders in the centuries following Christ's life indicate a growing consensus on this date. The concept of birthday celebrations and the significance of timekeeping in the early church reveal that the connection of Christmas to December 25th was a deliberate choice rooted in Christian significance rather than a borrowing from paganism.
Competition with Pagan Celebrations
The myth that December 25th and its observances stemmed from pagan winter solstice traditions fails under scrutiny, particularly as no specific pagan festivals were firmly established on this date. Historical accounts, such as the celebrations mentioned by Roman emperors, do not definitively associate Sol Invictus with a December festival prior to the establishment of Christmas. The emergence of winter solstice festivals often followed the establishment of Christmas, suggesting that the Christian celebration may have influenced subsequent pagan observances. This intricate interplay shows that rather than Christians adopting pagan customs, it was more of a case of pagan celebrations adapting to an already Christian context.
Understanding Cultural Exchange and Misunderstanding
The discussion surrounding Christmas and its mythical connections to pagan holidays highlights the wider issue of misinformation in contemporary society, particularly regarding historical data. Christians must be discerning, understanding the importance of scriptural evidence and rejecting the unfounded claims often spread through social media that suggest a pagan origin for their faith's celebrations. Accurate comprehension of history and the role of cultural practices is essential to countering these myths and fully appreciating the significance of Christmas as rooted in the Christian narrative. Ultimately, recognizing the truths of these connections can help believers clarify their faith's practices and observances.
Pastor Joseph Abrahamson, author of “Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies” “Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies — Christmas” by Joseph Abrahamson “Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies — Christmas and Sol Invictus” by Joseph Abrahamson “Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies — Pagan Solstice Celebrations” by Joseph Abrahamson