Have you ever wondered where Christmas started? And how about Easter? Most people and Christians alike, Believe that both
of these holidays represent the birth and
rebirth of Jesus Christ. What they dont know is, These 2 holidays, and many others have there origin based in Pagan religion. Even non Pagans use the term Yule at Christmas time. Yule is the Pagan celebration of the returning of the sun and the rebirth of the God that died on Halloween.It was celebrated by Pagans on the 22nd day of December, The shortest day of the year. The Christian story of Jesus being born fits nicely with the Pagan belief of a God being reborn just as with Easter. Traditions such as wreaths and Yule logs are remnants of the original beliefs of Pagans. And gifts were exchanged at Yule long before the 3 Wise Men brought gifts to baby Jesus.
The Christian
holiday of Easter celebrates the death and rebirth of Christ into heaven, where do bunnies, eggs, and little chicks come into the picture? Its because Pagans celebrated the Spring Equinox called Ostara usually around March the 21st. This was a celebration of the coming of spring and the birthing of farm animals and new life, Which is why you see bunnies and eggs, chicks, and lambs so much at Easter. Part of the Ostara celebration also involved the return of several deities from the under world symbolic of the end of winter. Thats how the rebirth of Jesus got tied in with the Pagan holiday of Ostara.
Halloween is a Pagan based holiday as we all know. But there are many misconceptions regarding this day. It actually represents the death of the old God, and the Goddess mourns him until his rebirth at Yule. Pagans, call Halloween, Samhain. It is said that in an effort to diffuse this heathen holiday the Catholics created All Saints Day on November 1st to remember all the Saints. Ironically, many Christians do not approve of Halloween, Not realizing that almost all of the holidays they celebrate have Pagan origins.
So why are Christian holidays layered over traditional Pagan holidays? The main reason is because Christianity was struggling for acceptance in Europe and the people wouldn''t give up their old beliefs. So by blending the old ways with the new it would make it easier to convert them to Christianity.