Origin of Christmas and the Christmas Tree

Society's traditions have interesting origins. The original December 25^th celebration had to do with the birthday of Sol, the sun god. The early Christian church did not celebrate December 25^th since to do so would have been an act of idolatry, an act condemned by the Christian bible. In past centuries, there was intense opposition to the Christmas tree (Religious Tolerance, 2010). In the Pagan realm, cutting down a tree to bring into the home and decorate used to be considered very destructive to nature. Currently, some opposition can still be found, but for the most part, Pagan and Christian alike can be seen taking part in the tradition of celebrating and decorating a tree. For some, the tree simply symbolizes hope for a new year.

The order to celebrate Christmas as a Christian festival came in the fifth century by the Roman Church (Anonymous, n.d.). The emperor, Constantine, professed to be Christian. Thus began the major move to join paganism and Christianity. During this time, Christianity was not all that popular. Constantine wanted it to be, so he made the move to interweave popular pagan traditions into Christianity to make it more attractive to the masses. The result is the Christmas customs we still see today.

The Christmas tree originated with a fellow by the name of Nimrod. Nimrod supposedly married his mother. Nimrod's mother, Semiramis, claimed an evergreen tree sprung up overnight from a dead tree stump, and this was to symbolize a springing forth of dead Nimrod, a sort of resurrection if you will (Anonymous, n.d.). One of many deaths and resurrections throughout history thus far. Semiramis claimed that on December 25^th, Nimrod would pay a visit to the evergreen tree and leave presents there (Anonymous, n.d.). Nimrod was actually considered the divine son while his mother maintained "queen of heaven" status. Semiramis and Nimrod were the "Mother and Child" who were worshipped (Anonymous, n.d.). Of course, throughout the world, the names of the Mother and Child were changed. Depending upon what part of the world you reside in and what religion you follow, the names will fit into the story you have heard. In Egypt, the mother/child was Isis and Osiris; in Asia, Cybele and Deoius; in pagan Rome, Fortuna and Jupiterpuer; in modern day United States, Mary and Jesus (Anonymous, n.d.). Today, the tree is widely accepted by people of many different faiths and also by many who don't follow an organized religion.

Some Pagan cultures will cut boughs of evergreen trees in December and decorate them in recognition of the winter solstice. The evergreen was the tree to remain green when other trees and bushes seemingly "died" in the winter; therefore, the evergreen was seen as being magical since it survived the deep freeze of winter. Egyptians used palm trees during the winter solstice since they did not have evergreen trees. The Germanic people decorated evergreen tree branches in honor of their god, Woden.

Christmas does not come from the Christian bible, but from pagan sun worship. Historians tell us Jesus was not born on December 25^th or even in December. The actual birth was not recorded at all and can only be speculated on, speculations that cannot be substantiated with any real evidence since those speculating were not there. Scripturally, three wise men did not find a baby Jesus. The number of astrologers involved in the trek ordered by Herod is not mentioned. The astrologers did not return to Herod; the deceived Herod ordered children two years and under killed. When the astrologers found Jesus, he may not have been an infant anymore. The Christmas nativity scene is likely scripturally inaccurate. That aside, the birth of Jesus is a similar tale to other stories, but that's another article.

Through the generations, Christmas has been and still is celebrated per each person's cultural, societal, or individual beliefs. Starting out as an act of worship to the sun, stories have been passed on and embellished upon to fulfill the idea each culture wants Christmas to support.

References:

Anonymous. (n.d.). The plain truth about Christmas. Retrieved from http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Other%20Pagan%20Mumbo-Jumbo/christmas.htm

Religious Tolerance. (n.d.). All about the Christmas tree: Pagan origins, Christian adaptation, & secular status. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_tree.htm