saturnalia

I’ve been thinking about the business of Christmas… why we celebrate it and where it came from. It took me 44 years to look into it (of course, the first couple years I was learning how to talk and the next couple decades I was learning how to think so… maybe it only took me about 25 years to dig in).

Please understand, I’m not kidding…

It looks as if the early Christian church was looking for a way to compete with the pagan celebration of Saturnalia – a month-long festival that honored the god of agriculture, Saturn. Apparently, during Saturnalia (are you laughing at this word yet?) there was also a group of Romans who celebrated the birth of a sun god named Mithra (who was born from a rock). Mithra’s birthday was December 25.

Bottom line… A fourth century Pope set 12.25 as the day the Christian church would celebrate the birth of Jesus (a day that wasn’t celebrated until that point).

History.com has it laid out nicely beginning here.

Now… I bring this to our attention because I don’t like going through the motions (although I hypocritically do).

I believe our focus every day should be on loving our people. But what exactly does that mean?

• It means we need to give ourselves to the people around us more (giving them our attention and care).
• It means we need to help end someone’s suffering when we can (and then look for more opportunities).
• It means we need to be kind, compassionate, and patient.
• It means we need to be truthful, forgiving, and humble.
• It means we need to enjoy the hospitality and gifts of others.
• It means we need to be thankful.
• It means we need to connect (really).
• It means we need to be attentive and engaged with our work (to how we contribute).

To me… all of these holidays we celebrate allow us to more often compartmentalize our gratitude and care rather than encourage it to be a part of our daily lives (missing out on a daily celebration that might otherwise exist).

At Christmastime, we embrace getting together more and giving gifts to each other (things) yet at the same time complain about the busyness (and business) behind it all, changing nothing year after year. (“Let’s get together after the holidays when everything settles down.”) Then we go into a New Year, pausing and reflecting at certain points over certain things dictated by our federal holiday calendars and those of our chosen faiths (and remember, a belief that there isn’t a god is also a faith).

But in our day-to-day (the bulk of our time here) opportunities for care (love), will we be awake enough not to go through the motions and make a positive difference to others whenever (wherever) we can?

Can we remember (more often) that we’re here for each other – that that good feeling we get more often around our winter holiday of choice comes from a love that we can (and should) have every day?

“But then it won’t be special.”  (special: being other than the usual)

Wouldn’t that be great.
 
12.25 is arbitrary. Merry Today.

(Valentine’s Day? You can’t handle the truth.)

Comments

[Joe Rapp]

Good info. Where does the history of Festivus come into play?

Have a great Christmas Sam.

Joe

[Michele P.]

Thanks Sam. This was right on time. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[Myra]

Yes, live love out loud everyday! Holy days should never compartmentalize or restrict the intentions of the heart of God, which is to demonstrate love consistently, everyday.
And, celebrate the birthday of the One who knows us best and loves us most. Sometimes (unfortunately), it takes a "holiday" to kick-start some folks into gratitude and giving. Merry CHRISTmas! The very name says it all.

[andrew van leerdam]

Hello and greetings to your day.
We celebrate CHRISTmas as the day when Jesus came to earth as God. Of course we don't have to, however it is one day a year we can take time to sit and ponder how a little baby changed the course of history. The rest of the year we should concentrate on loving others.
To love others really is not hard. It really is just a tiny little bit more effort.

Merry Christmas to all.

[Stan]

I am hearing Saturalia a lot now. Especially, last night on Big Bang Theory! I agree with Myra that sometimes it takes a humanistic tradition for most people to act the way CHRISTians are supposed to do everyday.

I also agree with Joe that I would like some more info on Festivis for the rest of us! Ha!

Everyone, Merry Christmas

[Dan Harman]

Amen, just know if you turn the m upside down in Christmas you have Christ was. He was, he is, and he is to come.

Great summary of Christmas

Happy today.

[Wayne]

Dear Mr Parker "Merry Christmas" I get thousands of email messages per yr and I been a receiver of yours for a long time plus I know that not everybody who reads your is a Christian like me. But I have always found it troubling when I receive I message like yours "Merry" without Christmas attached I have received others like "Happy Holidays" Or Merry Xmas + other expressions. And I cannot figure out why it is so hard for some to say a "Merry Christmas". So I do wish you & yours a Merry Christmas & God Bless

[Vernon Clemons]

Sam: With today's words you have given a great gift to many. Thanks for sharing. I also thank Dan Harman --- his words of turning the "m" upside down is on target and far shorter in words than what I sent to my son in Afghanistan. He felt sad he was not able to spend time with us this year. At the bottom is my longer version of the same theme.

Most of all – keep pressing forward with your Give More efforts. It encourages many of us who need to read the words. Through your actions you are giving the gift God placed inside of you.

(My longer version of celebrating Christmas to my son)
Please carry deep within your daily walk that while the calendar calls for us to recall the birth of Jesus on December 25, and this is a good thing, we whom claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savoir celebrate each day to be the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He died so that we may live. His death covers all of our sins. Through Him we are able to see God, face-to-face. I pray you carry these thoughts with you no matter where you may be, who may be in your presence, and under all conditions that may come your way.

Similar to earthly celebrations, one part of the joy of receiving God's gift was to see it wrapped and placed under lights for the eyes to see (the Star that guided the Wise Men). In use of God's gift many took for granted the reason and purpose of Jesus' walk, forgetting the sacrifices given just so they could have some time with Him. As they grew tired of Jesus and decided to throw Him away, there were some who still thought the real King had yet to arrive. And as we know, the real power of the gift from God then showed up and showed off. He came back to life -- in all His power.

So, I share many words to say Merry Christmas and Happy Easter. Both events are required to be able to celebrate life here on earth.

[James.lowry@sorin.com]

Sam, now that you are on your journey for truth, you will find several other Christian holidays that were hijacked from pagan rituals. Ultimately many people still want a tradition to clebrate instead of a relationship with their Creator. In the end however, it will be the relationship that counts.
Merry "clebration of the opportunity to know Christ as Lord and savior regardless of the day"
James

[Brian Maguire]

Sam, Happy christmas and a great 2010. I have been a subscriber for many years and have learnt much from your website.
I am a little curious about your post - What point exactly were you making ... that Christmas IS the celebration of Jesus birth linked for pragmatic purposes in the 4th century to an existing festival, or that really it is just a pagan festival i.e. Saturnalia by another name?
I have read and paid attention to much of what you have published over the years - I hope you can return the compliment by responding to my question. Brian

[Filipe]

Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays, and a Happy 2010 to everybody.

[David]

Thank You Sam - Merry Today to you and your team!!