pre-script: there is always room for blind faith, and yet it seems in this age it is human nature to deny having such; much more better, we strive in public confrontation to cling to at least one undeniable premise, to prove, at least, to our selves that we haven't a reason to change. even in science, the layman has forgotten what it means to wonder: everything is "knowledge," "common thought," "widely accepted fact," and you'd be labeled nothing short of a fool for considering otherwise. indeed, much of that side of the world is guilty of blind acceptance of the studies of greater minds--and this is not at all to say that those studies are wrong, but that we who choose to quote them don't always share the intellect to grasp a fraction of their implications. we no longer think for ourselves, though out of pride we will ever say that we do. and yet, for all of this mountain of evidence to the contrary, there are still many areas of life in which it would be criminal to have such a narrow view of the world.
this post is no exposition of facts plucked here and there and presented in one beautiful bouquet. many of those already exist and, to quote my favorite writing: "much study wearies the body." this is all, rather, mere conjecture formed by a human mind taught by the experience of ideas shared at precise moments of one's life. there is neither biblical backing for this, nor formal curricula having promised some secular design of thought--though, perhaps, there may be. but as i said, i'm not trying to prove anything. this is a journal, after all is said and done.
Santa Claus bears his origins from an actual person (one Saint Nicholas of early Christian missions). this idol of Christmastime adopted a slew of traditions from Scandinavians and Germanic tribes and is known as the modern hijacker of the season of Yule. like big business itself, Santa Claus absorbed everything from the cultures into which he spread (from his immortality to his godlike height, his ungulate-driven sleigh and his good-natured generosity). even his method of entering through chimneys and his red-and-white garb were taken from solstice celebrations.
he may have meant well, once upon a time; more likely, he was a demon from the start (II Cor 11.14), for it takes no effort today to see how he has removed glory from God to self. even so, we are glad to allow our children the imagination that such a "nice," all-seeing being exists (if only for a time that suits the parents) and shun the thought to divulge truth to those innocent minds...when the topic is Santa Claus. find a child who believes in God and you would be an outcast for entertaining--nay, encouraging such a fanciful notion. but to the world, God is the only enemy; and rightly so, the word "bigot" originates from one who stands "by God"; better to be labeled a bigot by the world than a mocker by God.
"'If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?... And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?... But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.... Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me."
-Matthew 5 (abridged)
"Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise His holy Name.
Christ is the LORD! Then ever, ever praise we!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!"
-John Sullivan Dwight, 1855
unlike Easter coinciding with Passover, there is no biblical record for the season of Christmas; extra-biblical sources point toward the month of february, but that is neither here nor there. early Christians are guilty of choosing the date in december to celebrate the birth of Christ, though it had nothing to do with the pagan holidays which were encountered by later Christians. rather, it piggybacked with Hanukkah, the extra-biblical Jewish festival which took place in winter (Jn 10.22). the Hebrew calendar is lunar, while the Julian calendar and our modern Gregorian are solar, but once in a while they do meet up: the evening of this year's Christmas marks the start of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah has its humble beginnings in the dark ages of Jewish history. on this "festival of lights," let us remember that Christ broke God's silence, not with wind, earthquake or fire, but with a gentle whisper (I K 19.11-12) of hope.
"The True Light that gives light to every man was coming into the world."
-John 1.9
post-script: i used the word "Easter" in context of "pagan holidays." there is no implication there; that is simply the name that i use for the holy-day which I celebrate. to quote a fellow believer on the topic: "To not get dragged down with a dispute about mere words as St Paul warns, one should not start such disputes in the first place./ It is a bad and proud and Protestant thing to vilify words..." -Vlad
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