Birth of the Unconquerable Sun
As part of the winter solstice Saturnalia celebrations, during which the sun dies and is reborn, the Birth of the Unconquerable Sun (Natalis Sol Invictus) occurs on the 25th of December and is cause for much revelry and debauchery.
This particular celebration has much older roots, I only use the Roman terminology because it is better documented than others, such as the Persian Mithraic version,, or the druidic tradition.
Around 354 A.D. Pope Liberius of Rome (or Pope Julius I, his predeccesor, depending on which reference you accept) declared Jesus' birth to fall on the 25th, though evidence is that Christ's Mass may have been celebrated in Rome for some years earlier. It wasn't until later that the Eastern church accepted this date.
It is speculated by religious scholars that this was done to try and prevent his flock from taking part in the Saturnalia celebrations, as many early Roman Christians hedged their bets and supported both the state deities and the Christian god.
Decorating a tree was part of Saturnalia, and also part of old Norse practice ("Jol" or "Jule"), but only officially became a part of western Christmas celebrations about 200 years ago in 1841 when Prince Albert, Victoria's royal consort, decorated a tree at Windsor.
So, those of us who enjoy a good feast and revel, and decorating trees, but don't approve of Christmas, can celebrate Natalis Sol Invictus and decorate our trees, without having to accept the christian reasons at all!
Not new to most people I expect, but I was interested and was doing some reading and thought I;d pass it on.
This particular celebration has much older roots, I only use the Roman terminology because it is better documented than others, such as the Persian Mithraic version,, or the druidic tradition.
Around 354 A.D. Pope Liberius of Rome (or Pope Julius I, his predeccesor, depending on which reference you accept) declared Jesus' birth to fall on the 25th, though evidence is that Christ's Mass may have been celebrated in Rome for some years earlier. It wasn't until later that the Eastern church accepted this date.
It is speculated by religious scholars that this was done to try and prevent his flock from taking part in the Saturnalia celebrations, as many early Roman Christians hedged their bets and supported both the state deities and the Christian god.
Decorating a tree was part of Saturnalia, and also part of old Norse practice ("Jol" or "Jule"), but only officially became a part of western Christmas celebrations about 200 years ago in 1841 when Prince Albert, Victoria's royal consort, decorated a tree at Windsor.
So, those of us who enjoy a good feast and revel, and decorating trees, but don't approve of Christmas, can celebrate Natalis Sol Invictus and decorate our trees, without having to accept the christian reasons at all!
Not new to most people I expect, but I was interested and was doing some reading and thought I;d pass it on.