We often hear of how paganistic other cultures are as compared to the enlightened European and U.S. American WASP Christian civilized world. Let's take a look at them and how they celebrate Christmas.The origins of Christmas celebration stem from:- The Christmas tree was used by England and Germany as well as other evergreens as part of mid-winter festivals long before Christ came to earth. Heathen Druids considered evergreens sacred while the pagan Romans decorated their homes with greens at the festival of Saturnalia and at the Kalends of January.-Use of these rituals, activities, and uses of these items were incorporated in Europe date as far back as 500 years to celebrate the Christian holiday of Christmas.-Stars have special meanings to all cultures and people regardless of religion.-Early Christian music were chants and hymns. Carols were regarded as part of the pagan practice and celebration, thus it was barred from the Roman Catholic church's sacred services. St. Francis of Asisi is credited for bringing carols into the Church's services in 1223 a.d.-Mistletoe has been regarded by the Celts (pronounced Kelts) and ancient pagan Europeans as sacred. Druids used it in their heathen practices. To Norsemen, it was a sacred plant to their gods and goddesses.-Xmas is used by Masons and other non-Christians while celebrating the commercial aspects of the Christmas season.Other Christmas greens:Holly - used by Druids in their winter rituals and used to frighten off witches and also to protect their house from thunder and lightning. This talisman was used by pagans in Europe, primarily in England and Germany. It was the sacred plant of Saturn and used at the Roman Saturnalia festival to honor him.Ivy - a symbol of eternal life in the pagan world of England and a symbol of the Roman god of wine and revelry.Laurel - a pagan Roman symbol; as the leaf was sacred to the sun god, Apollo.Rosemary - it is said to be offensive to evil spirits during the Middle Ages in Europe.Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas):St. Nicholas was born in the Middle East, about 350 miles northwest of Bethlehem, in the fourth century. As an adult, he became a Roman Catholic bishop of his hometown, Myra in Lycia, near the coast of what is now Turkey.He is known for his love of children, his kindness, and the miracles he brought about. He is also known for his selfless giving. He is a patron saint for all people in their walks of life as a friend and protector of all those in trouble, especially the poor and needy.His feast day is December 6 and close to Christmas that all merged the celebration together except Germany and the Netherlands. The Protestants refused to recognize him and all the saints. Reformers did everything to erase his memory but failed; his popularity was too overwhelming.Special customs are held in Germany and the Netherlands. Both brought the celebration of St. Nicholas to the U.S. The WASP banned the custom of celebrating St Nicholas Day of giving cakes and cookies to children; but it soon merged with the Christmas celebration. Some of the customs of celebrating St. Nicholas Day stem from European and Nordic pagan rituals.In the U.S., his image as Father Christmas evolved into a comical, plump, jolly old Dutchman called Santa Claus. It was meant to poke fun at the Duth founders of New York. The U.S. americanized version of the Old World St. Nicholas soon became jolly old St. Nick or Santa Claus; a plump, happy-go-lucky elf with a sleigh full of toys and eight flying reindeer and commercialized it for profit. He is known by many names throughout the world with diverse versions of who he is.In Hawai'i, December 25th is designated as a Kingdom of Hawai'i national holiday of Thanksgiving. Any wonder why?
As our national day of Thanksgiving, I would like to wish the best wishes to all and thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on us. As they say, "Peace on earth to men of good will."
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As our national day of Thanksgiving, I would like to wish the best wishes to all and thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on us. As they say, "Peace on earth to men of good will."