I want to share what I feel and see about this major celebrations: Christmas and New year. Obviously its about Christian celebration, which became a wide spread and known world wide, because of the importance put on it from Western societies.
1. About Christmas.
Everyone knows what Christmas is about. It`s meant to be one of the most important events and holidays in Christian calendar, since year 300 of Christ death. It was a decision from the official Catholic church (Pope Julius I in 350 a. c.), which was made in order to slowly replace the existing at the time pagan festival in Rome of the "Dies Natalis Solis Invicti", meaning "the birthday of the Unconquered Sun" ( famous at time of Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275) to celebrate the Sun god and winter solstice. The aim of the Church was to attract the people of multiple gods cults in Rom to Christianity.
Sources from the time show the manuscript of 12 century Syrian bishop Jacob Bar-Salibi., who wrote : "It was a custom of the Pagans to celebrate on the same 25 December the birthday of the Sun, at which they kindled lights in token of festivity. In these solemnities and revelries the Christians also took part. Accordingly when the doctors of the Church perceived that the Christians had a leaning to this festival, they took counsel and resolved that the true Nativity should be solemnised on that day."
(* source Wikipedia on Christmas )
This and more historical documents show clearly why and how the date of Jesus birth was created. It took place in many folklore and nations, as transformed and developed their pagan roots and believes in what now we know as Christmas. According to statement of Church of England, the truth and accepted date for Christ birth was nine months after “Annunciation” – the day when Archangel Gabriel visits Virgin Mary to announce her the glad tidings about her becoming a mother. This date was believed to be 7. April, so the date of Jesus birth in this way should be seen as 7. January.
Now Christians around the world know, that the New Testament never mentioned any exact date of Christ birth. By collecting all possible biblical sources Church authorities can guess and conclude, and also have power to “create” the facts for their own benefits.
Truth is simple – the nations with many different believes, cults and religions at the time, were much united in celebrating the festival of Winter solstice , as it has ancient roots. Christians were attracted by others and didn`t want to give up this delightful holiday, so Church had to make things up, including Jesus birth inside the old traditional fest of Yule. More notes on this festival:
“The winter solstice is celebrated by many people around the world as the beginning of the return of the sun, and darkness turning into light. The Talmud recognizes the winter solstice as "Tekufat Tevet." In China, the Dongzhi Festival is celebrated on the Winter Solstice by families getting together and eating special festive food.”
Ancient Romans celebrated this day the famous “Saturnalia” festival, to honor the God Saturn for better fertility of earth and prosperity. This festival lasted one week, it was characterized with many plays, slaves were in equal position to masters, and behaved in free manner and speech, females also were included in the festivals and games, gifts were exchanged. Later many of that traditions were preserved and taken by Christianity.
Having this in mind we can see how well our society took and develop this ancient pagan holidays. Christmas in some Christian societies is connected particularly with compassion, helping poor people and children, love, giving, and family relations. In our traditions families gather to share the spirit of celebration and to remember the death, to enjoy peace and happiness by giving little presents. But in time of Saturnalia the most prominent presents were with little value (to avoid announcing social status) like little pottery or wax made figures, called Sigillaria, candles, or just jokes. In our time we can sense very much the difference of the celebration of Christmas. Big crowds of people heading to the supermarkets, markets ,streets and restaurants, with printed money in their pockets, bumping, howling, screaming and crawling to achieve the best promotion for food and beverage, uncontrollable herd. Present which these people buy for the fest, are also made of spirit of arrogance and ignorance for any ancient traditions, the most valuable gift is the one with ..the highest price of course! The more money you have and “give” to others ,the more you are honored on this date. Except of the spirit of “buying” “taking” ,”Giving” and “consumption”, there is hardly other spirit left. Yes, we try still to see spirit of love, togetherness and understanding, but we cant do that. The high culture of materialism consumes all. The highest importance for celebrating Christmas become making food, eating (on a Christmas eve should be strictly vegetarian food), but alcohol and some pastry cheese cake (banitsa) are allowed. Children are always the point of attraction in the fast aging nation, so they receive hundreds of toys and gifts, which took their attention until the next day. Supersaturated from food, treats, goods, and things, they are unable to see the real spirit and real meaning of Christmas celebration. The more –the better.
Christmas “present days people” indulge in all kind of pleasures for their bodies, no matter of the age, the biggest pleasure is eating to the fullest.
The New Years big noise, fireworks and strife are one very well organized “vanity fair”, on which the best fitting material elements are dressed in sparkling expensive gowns, wear expensive jewelry, high class perfume and make up, and even so eat with their white gentle hands, blood pork filet, lamb and beef steaks.
So this is called a nice celebration for any kind of festival. Some lucky enough people would try to escape or travel to some remote area, maybe in the mountain, in order to avoid the “vanity fair”. But in vain, it`s every where. Also if you switch on TV ,or any other device you`ll see it, feel it, hear it.
Giving and charity to poor people in this time of the year is also part of the spectacular and vanity fair. Except if its done from single people for a cause, which also happens. That can show us that the truth spirit of Christmas and human hearts still exist.
I wish you to enjoy your festival in your way, be happy, but mostly don’t turn celebration into a drinking whiskey competition, not to eating and screaming competition. But stay aware that you are human, and should behave so. Enjoy simple moments from inside, than fake expansive moments of “needed” exaltation you call “happiness”.
Happy New year. (any of them)
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