The Roots of Christmas Traditions

by Melissa J | More from this Blogger

15 Nov 2006 10:11 AM

As I warned in my introductory blog to this series, I likely won't take prize for popularity. So, here I am being a scrooge. So where is it our Christmas traditions come from?

Christmas Tree

I touched on the festival of lights a bit in my last blog. Now I would like to address the beloved and adorned Christmas tree. In Egypt it was a palm tree that was used to represent the bringing forth of the pagan messiah Baal-Tamar. In Rome a fir tree was used to bring forth Baal-Berith or "lord of the covenant".

The mother, who was the sun-god, was said to have changed into a tree bringing forth a son who was referred to as "Man of the Branch". Jeremiah 10:1-4 discusses the tradition of the tree during times before Christ. "Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the LORD: 'Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple.'"

Mistletoe

Both mistletoe and holly were believed to be fertility plants by pagans. The Babylonians believed a branch ("Man of the Branch" as referred above) came from heaven being grafted into the tree. Its purpose was to sever sin. This branch seems to be a twisted representation of our coming Messiah. Kissing under the mistletoe was to symbolize reconciliation and pardon. Psalm 85:10-11, "Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven."

Yule Log

Yule means infant or child. The Yule log is believed to be a branch of the tree (mentioned above) which was placed on a fire on Mother Night (Christmas Eve). The next day it was referred to as the "Branch of God". The Yule log is said to be the dead stock of Nimrod later deified as the sun-god.

Santa Clause

I am not making reference to Saint Nicholas here. The idea of the Santa we see commercialized appears to have been rooted prior to St. Nick and Coca-Cola. The Winter Stag god seems to have similarities to our Santa. Consider how Santa knows when you're sleeping, and if you're naughty or nice. He is able to be in everyone's home in one night. It's interesting that the Winter Stag god was believed to be everywhere at once, knowing all that goes on, and all powerful. Apparently reindeer were symbolic of the Winter Stag god.

Please visit my introductory blog: The History of Traditions

Scripture reference is quoted from the NKJV.

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Teresa McEntire (2984) 01 Dec 2006 11:20 AM

I'm just curious if you celebrate Christmas with pagan traditions like Santa Claus and Christmas trees? I know many of the traditions are linked to paganism. But at the same time they can also be turned to the Savior if you choose to. For example a Christmas tree is an evergreen tree which is always green representing that our Savior is always there for us. A yule log is burned and can be representative of the light of Christ in our lives. Santa Claus is a man who spends his whole life giving toys and bringing joy to children. What is more Christ-like than that? Personally I like to turn pagan symbols into Christian symbols which I then share with my children.

Melissa J (13710) 06 Dec 2006 11:53 AM

Yes, I do use some of the traditions, in fact I have a blog on how we can use some of the pagan traditions to put emphasis on Christ--which I believe was the true intention of the Catholic church durring the era.

Melissa J (13710) 07 Dec 2006 08:46 AM

By the way, here is that link: http://christian.families.com/blog/using-secular-tradition-to-glorify-god-christmas

StregaMargherita (5) 19 Dec 2006 02:48 PM

Or maybe you guys could just stick to your own religion and stop trying to steal ours? Besides, isn't this whole "Christmas Day" just a way to incorporate your own holiday into a pagan one (aka Yule)? If you were real Christians you would not allow anything so "pagan" into your religious celebrations.