Quote:
Originally Posted by slayda
This is my opinion (to which I'm entitled) and will probably offend several people but IMO Christmas is really a pagan holiday that the Christians "stole" in order to promote Christianity among those same pagans. There is no Biblical reference to a "Christmas Tree" but the Germanic pagans did decorate a fir tree (which was readily available to them) when they celebrated the winter soltice. They also had a Santa Clause-like character in their celebration. In addition during thos winter months, when they were mostly restricted to indoors activities, they made things for each other to give as gifts during that celebration.
So IMO the current holiday called Christmas, should be a pagan - not a Christian - religious holiday and gifts given should come from our own creativity.
OK, that's my rant for the season.
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Being a Christian and having studied chuch history (for fun) I know you are correct, the concept and gift giving is pagan, but the celebration is christian but should really be celebrated Jan 6th the real assumed date of Christ's birth. There are also other aspects of the religeon which were added around 400 AD to satistfy eastern orthodox side.