25th December, is it pagan? Should Christians celebrate Christmas

[@luvanime1986]

My father and stepmother became Jehovah Witnesses when I was 6 so we (before the divorce) had celebrated Christmas up until I was 5, which was my last Christmas until I moved out on my own. Living in America, but baptized Church of England, yes there was one in Los Angeles in the 60's, when I did get to celebrate, it was always on December 25th. My current wife is from Russia and is Russian Orthodox, so we celebrate Christmas on December 25th and January 7th each year. We give out gifts and have a big dinner with friends in December and January is reserved for just our family to eat together and pass out any gifts that came in late. In Russia, gifts and the tree is set up and the major celebration is done on New Years Eve where you go do a pub crawl, but it's at friends' flats where you eat, drink and sing before you move on to the next friend. Once, my wife and I didn't get home until 7:30am! It was fun though!

[@Cericle]

I'm so pleased to have stumbled upon your channel. I've read a bit, I enjoy used books when I can find a worthy one, and try to support the few used bookstores remaining. Over the years, I've gotten a inkling sense of the heady matters of which you expound upon in your videos. It's nice to find affirmation of the truths which irony has clapped in the cellar, under the ornate rug beneath the dining room table.

[@adambacon8353]

Lovely explanation. Another observation is in the Christmas carol "12 days of Christmas" which when we count from the eve of Christmas 12 days, we have the sixth of January. I'd like to see your hear your view on the Christmas tree? The first mentioned of the tree is in the book of Daniel.

[@Crecganford]

Yes, I should make a video on Christmas traditions, and their origin. Thank you for watching and the suggestion.

[@timothygervais9036]

I really enjoy this one, have watched it numerous times. But I enjoy all of your videos on the various topics, keep up the great work and Happy Solstice.

[@Nx2.1]

Interesting, I thought that the arbitrary date of December 25th was perhaps somehow related to the solstice and a symbolic solar return. But as far as decimals go, why is December widely considered to be the 12th month when it's blatantly not in the Latin case? Perhaps the Astrological definition of the sky would be more pertinent with the new year starting in the sign of Aries, the ♈as defined by the Greeks? Ruled by Mars and when Rome marched

[@KipIngram]

I want to plug that Carrier video, and its part II - I was very impressed with Carrier; I really like people who "ooze competence," and that young man certainly does.

[@jasonbatty5168]

As always enlightening and always learning some new . Thank you keep up this amazing channel 💚🖤

[@Crecganford]

Thanks Jason, and always a pleasure to get feedback from you. I hope all is well

[@littlebird619]

We are about to reach the high point of summer, with our days still growing longer and hotter. We wish you well!

[@Crecganford]

Enjoy the long warm days, I miss being able to travel and appreciate the other side of the world. I hope all is well with you!

[@Thagomizer]

I was loving this video, but your closing lines baffled me.

[@aariley2]

Well I must be blessed then because nobody wants to celebrate my birthday but me! I think it's more important to people who have nearly died. Life means much more.

[@Crecganford]

I agree, I’m not a fan of birthdays, I’d rather celebrate something more special.

[@pabloloerag.5368]

Once again; Great Video!!! To this day I haven´t seen one I did not like on this channel. Now, I'm an ateist but I do celebrate the solstice for I consider it to be the most widely celebrated (or at least spected) date for most culurest. As far as I understand agricultural societies obviously took the solstice as an important date, and I imagine hunther-gatherers probably keep an eye on it (it would signal de return of prey and fruits). Theres a good question: What the most widely celebrated (or observed) date? Does it have roots in prehistory?

[@WayneBraack]

Wondering whet John Hamer of the Centerplace channel would have to say on this.

[@judewarner1536]

Many mythologies, mythological stories and associated tales of antiquity concern horoscopes based on the disposition of heavenly bodies in the constellations at the time of birth. This seems to suggest that the date and time of birth were of some import, especially to the elites who formed the basis of many of these tales. Are we to believe that this, usually, a curse, a supplanting king (eg Oedipus) or the choice of an important "office", marriage date, etc, based on their time of birth had no further significance in the life of the character? It is easy to imagine that the date of birth was of little import to the mass of humanity, but to the ancient elites, it appears to be associated with important events tied to the future. Is there any specific evidence in ancient records to suggest that birthday celebrations were a thing?

[@ДаниилФролов-м3л]

Interestingly how, being a Russian, where Christmas is celebrated at 6th January, this year I came up with that I have no total point to celebrate it this day. Not that I actually celebrated it, and since USSR it wasn't popular in Russia at all, but this year I came up with idea that even if I'll become more religious, or if I'll just have to pick some symbolic secular Christmas, I'll absolutely not celebrate it in 6th January, but at 25th December. And being a history nerd, I understand there is no really accurate date of birth of Christ, but this choice comes not from accuracy, but from ideology. Because Russian orthodox church is becoming something totally cursed. The patriarch is telling how everyone should die in this damn stupid war, from a "Temple of Military Forces" in dark Warhammer style, and, if I'm not mistaken, he's declared a heretic by Constantinople patriarchy, for putting national over the religious, or proclaiming it religious. That's something the closest to the evil fantasy cult that ever existed in history. (I have nothing against casual local priests, but the "head" of it all...) And if I'll become more religious someday (likely that will never happen) - what branch will it be? I don't know. - Maybe protestant as I don't think I can follow some specific church - and they celebrate Christmas mostly at 25th; - Maybe catholic - for quite a cool and nerdy vibe of modern day catholics (at least in countries without catholic majority) - and they mostly celebrate Christmas at 25th; - Maybe orthodox, to stay in the tradition I was born it - but definitely not Russian, but Constantinople orthodox - and you know, in the early 20 century they also mostly switched to Grigorian calendar and so celebrate Christmas at 25th, so Russian orthodox church stays the only which mostly keep it at 6th; - And even if I'll become a pagan - there is point of attachment to Yule or Saturnalia. And in case I'll not become religious but just will pick some symbolic Christmas - that's still 25th. That's not even about "feeling belonging to the western progressive world", that's about "feeling belonging to the world that stays sane and not falling into a black hole" (as Eastern Orthodox churches are, you know, not very western, but the west is fine too). So the thing is, picking the date is quite much about ideology and people around you. (I'm speaking about the modern world first of all of course, ancient times are a different story.)

[@svenmoeller1755]

🌞

[@Milen983]

Then why is it that from all those dates implying early Spring, then early summer, then early Autumn, only the date that coincided with Saturnalia was chosen. In fact, if there were any Jesus, or if the Jesus that was, was really an important person before Paul, and others made people believe he was, and if there were Christian god, wouldn’t the date be set on stone? Why and how people believe to things that are so vague? I cannot wrap my head around. Are most people so dumb or do they choose to be?

[@carolcharoo6006]

❤❤❤

[@danahegna4442]

Speaking of crucifixion, I heard that Easter Sunday has been cancelled for 2023. They found the body.😁

[@Thagomizer]

Where? And how could they confirm its identity? Cross-reference the DNA on the shroud of Turin?

[@glacier68]

"And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge...". ;)

[@Crecganford]

Do you still think Christmas is pagan?

[@Crecganford]

@@monco1010 So I don't talk about Christianity's growth here, but there were a number of things, from the slow collapse of the roman empire, to Christianity being supported by an empreror AND his next line, and it being a religion for all, men, women and children. But I will look more into this in the future.

[@victorrand8811]

Meh, idk, but i like it Anyway.

[@owretchedman]

Christmas is entirely pagan, which is why I love it .

[@jonathanbrown351]

Ahh to be cursed by Xian fundamentalists!!! It is worth celebrating the day for that! Blessings to the old gods

[@Crecganford]

Fine words!

[@empireofengland6039]

I will just celebrate life. ❤

[@codewordslinkydog]

I was once told that Jesus said not to worship him in a pagan way not to worship him at all

[@Crecganford]

That is the only way any god can be worshipped, Christianity didn't invent worship.

[@shanegooding4839]

Christianity is heavily based on the non-Christian cultures in which it grew up, so no matter how you try to practise it you will be following ideas and actions that already existed before it was formalised.