The connections between pagan traditions and Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas are complex and often debated among scholars. Here’s a brief overview of the potential links to the ancient figures Tamuz and Semiramis:
1. Tamuz: In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, Tamuz (or Tammuz) was a god associated with fertility, agriculture, and the season of death and rebirth. His death and resurrection are often compared to the cyclical nature of planting and harvest. Some theories suggest that the celebration of Easter's themes of rebirth and resurrection may echo earlier fertility myths, including those surrounding Tamuz, though direct historical connections are tenuous.
2. Semiramis: Semiramis is often regarded as a legendary queen and is sometimes associated with various fertility goddesses. She is not a universal or consistently recognized figure in ancient mythologies but has been mentioned in various historical and literary contexts. Some sources suggest links between her and the veneration of mother goddesses, which could be seen reflected in the Christian celebration of Mary in connection to Christmas. However, these connections are more thematic than direct.
3. Pagan Influence on Easter and Christmas: Both Easter and Christmas have been influenced by pre-existing pagan festivals. For example, Easter coincides with the spring equinox and is linked to various springtime celebrations of fertility and renewal. Christmas, celebrated on December 25, coincides with the Roman festival of Saturnalia and other midwinter celebrations that honored the return of the sun. These festivities have sometimes been seen as integrating aspects of earlier pagan traditions.
While some argue that such connections demonstrate the syncretism of religious practices, others believe that the similarities are coincidental or reflect universal themes rather than direct borrowing from specific pagan myths. Thus, while there are thematic connections, the evidence linking specific practices related to Tamuz and Semiramis with Easter and Christmas is not definitive and remains a topic of interpretation and debate.
1. Tamuz: In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, Tamuz (or Tammuz) was a god associated with fertility, agriculture, and the season of death and rebirth. His death and resurrection are often compared to the cyclical nature of planting and harvest. Some theories suggest that the celebration of Easter's themes of rebirth and resurrection may echo earlier fertility myths, including those surrounding Tamuz, though direct historical connections are tenuous.
2. Semiramis: Semiramis is often regarded as a legendary queen and is sometimes associated with various fertility goddesses. She is not a universal or consistently recognized figure in ancient mythologies but has been mentioned in various historical and literary contexts. Some sources suggest links between her and the veneration of mother goddesses, which could be seen reflected in the Christian celebration of Mary in connection to Christmas. However, these connections are more thematic than direct.
3. Pagan Influence on Easter and Christmas: Both Easter and Christmas have been influenced by pre-existing pagan festivals. For example, Easter coincides with the spring equinox and is linked to various springtime celebrations of fertility and renewal. Christmas, celebrated on December 25, coincides with the Roman festival of Saturnalia and other midwinter celebrations that honored the return of the sun. These festivities have sometimes been seen as integrating aspects of earlier pagan traditions.
While some argue that such connections demonstrate the syncretism of religious practices, others believe that the similarities are coincidental or reflect universal themes rather than direct borrowing from specific pagan myths. Thus, while there are thematic connections, the evidence linking specific practices related to Tamuz and Semiramis with Easter and Christmas is not definitive and remains a topic of interpretation and debate.
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LearningTranscript
00:00Did you know that our Messiah was not born on December 25th?
00:08It's true.
00:09Yeshua was born on the first day of Sukkot.
00:11There is no Zoroastrian or Persian account of the birth of Yeshua, although there was
00:16a prophecy that is faintly similar and may have been known to the author of Matthew's
00:19Gospel, in which we find the claim of Magi, Zoroastrian priests, coming to worship Yeshua.
00:25In which year was Yeshua born?
00:27While this is sometimes debated, the majority of New Testament scholars place Yeshua's birth
00:32in 4 B.C. or before.
00:34This is because most date the death of King Herod the Great to 4 B.C.
00:38Since Herod played a major role in the narrative of Yeshua's birth, see Matthew 2, Yeshua would
00:43have had to be born before Herod died.
00:46This begs the question, how could Yeshua have been born in B.C., before Christ?
00:51The terms B.C. and A.D. stand for before Christ and anno domini, which means in the year of
00:56the Lord.
00:57These terms are used to mark years in the Gregorian and Julian calendars, with the birth of Jesus
01:02as the event that divides history.
01:05In theory, all the years before Jesus' birth received the label B.C., and all those after
01:10his birth get A.D. if Jesus had been born in 1 A.D.
01:13These designations would be completely accurate if justified by A.U.C.
01:16Anno, Erpes Candidae, or Ob Erpes Candidae, in the founding of the city of Rome.
01:22However, as many of us, it seems most likely that Yeshua was born in 4 B.C. or earlier.
01:27How then did the current division between B.C. and A.D. come to be?
01:30Let us find out.
01:32I will use both Christian and Messianic Jews' point of view to explain both names.
01:36Yeshua and Jesus are going to be used.
01:39December 25 was known as Dies Natalis Solis Invicti.
01:43Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, birthday of the unconquerable sun, is a winter solstice holiday
01:49celebrated on December 25 in dedication to King Helios.
01:54It is a feast day observed as the point when the sun renews itself.
01:58The cold winter is defeated, and the sun is reborn once again.
02:01Dionysius Exigus, English Denny's The Little, flourished 6th century ad, celebrated 6th century canonist,
02:09who is considered the inventor of the Christian calendar,
02:12the use of which spread through the employment of his new Easter tables.
02:16In 525, at the request of Pope Saint John I., he prepared the chronology still current.
02:22It was a modified Alexandrian computation,
02:2595-year tables evolved by the Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria,
02:29based on Victorious of Aquitaine's 532-year cycle.
02:34He wrongly dated the birth of Christ according to the Roman system,
02:38i.e., 754 years after the founding of Rome as deck.
02:4225-753
02:44Sol Invictus, unconquered sun, was the official sun god of the later Roman Empire and a patron of soldiers.
02:52On 25 December AD 274, the Roman Emperor Aurelian made it an official cult alongside the
02:59traditional Roman cults.
03:00The purpose for the choice of 25 December for the celebration of the birth of Jesus
03:05was to Christianize the pagan festival in Rome of the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti.
03:11Pagan Christmas traditions' Yule festivities are a mixture of customs and beliefs
03:15going back many years before Jesus was born.
03:19Saturnalia was a festival held between 17 and 24 December,
03:23which began in the days of the Roman Empire.
03:26This was a week of feasting, gift-giving, and an excuse for an orgy during the Northern Hemisphere's
03:31winter solstice.
03:33The objective of the debauchery and dancing around Carol was to give the sun a nudge
03:37and send a message to Mother Earth to begin reproducing for the spring.
03:41This seemed to work quite well because sure enough, in spring things started growing again.
03:46Which burns longer a green candle or a red candle?
03:49Neither.
03:49They both burned shorter.
03:51The traditional Christmas colors of red and green, being complementary colors,
03:56represent male and female, fertility and incubation.
04:00Pagan decorations still seen around Christmas include the red berries and green leaves of
04:04holly, mistletoe, and wreaths.
04:06Christian adaptations celebrating the winter solstice was in honor of the pagan god Mithra,
04:12and therefore forbidden by the early church.
04:14But customs survived anyway, and it didn't take much to tempt Christians to join others
04:19enjoying the solstice feast.
04:21This no doubt prompted the church to provide an alternative festival in honor of the birth
04:25of Christ, where celebrations were definitely in order.
04:29And happily, the date chosen by the church more or less coincided with the existing feast,
04:34which lessened the temptation for Christians to backslide.
04:37In the second century, the winter solstice was 6 January, and Christians celebrated both
04:42the birth and the appearance of God's Son on that day, Epiphany Day.
04:47By the fourth century, the date for the winter solstice had moved to 25 December, and Pope
04:52Julius I declared that Jesus' birthday celebrations would also be on that day.
04:57This effectively transformed the pagan occasion into a Christian holy day, holiday.
05:02This was not, however, merely a convenient way to Christianize a pagan celebration.
05:08There is nothing to prove what date Jesus was born on, or the season, or even the year.
05:13But the church, after immense deliberation over the available evidence, decided on 25 December.
05:20Santa Claus children are taught that Santa Claus evolved from the good Saint Nicholas,
05:24and most people are happy to leave the story there.
05:27But followers of paganism know a bit more about our jolly Santa.
05:31A tough old pagan god named Odin was imagined as a paunchy, white-bearded old man in a long cloak.
05:37A mixture of the characterizations of both Saint, Nicholas, and Odin, is thought to result in
05:43Father Christmas, whom for the past 80 years or so has sported the Coca-Cola colors.
05:48When we are young children, we are told about Santa's existence.
05:52Later, when we're about seven years old or maybe 17, we find out that he's really just a fictional
05:58character. And then we learn that, okay, he doesn't exist now, but he used to.
06:03Childhood can be very confusing.
06:05The true birth of Messiah Yeshua, a historical and scriptural investigation.
06:09Let's challenge our understanding and deepen our faith together, as we enter into a fascinating
06:14and crucial topic with you today, the true birth date of Messiah Yeshua.
06:18While many celebrate his birth on December 25th, we will explore the historical and scriptural
06:24evidence that suggests a different timeline.
06:27In historical context, firstly, it's important to acknowledge that the choice of December 25th
06:32coincides with the Roman festival of Saturnalia and the winter solstice.
06:38This date was later adopted by early Christians to celebrate the birth of Yeshua.
06:42However, historical records and practices suggest that December 25th may not be the actual birth
06:48date of Messiah Yeshua.
06:50Let's turn to the scriptures.
06:52In Luke 2, 8-14, we read about shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night.
06:57Given the cold weather in winter, it's unlikely that shepherds would be out in the fields during
07:02this time.
07:03This suggests a different season for his birth, possibly spring or fall.
07:07We can also look at the priestly divisions described in Luke 1, 5-9.
07:12Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, belonged to the division of Abijah.
07:16By calculating the timing of Zechariah's service in the temple and the subsequent conception
07:22of John, we can estimate Elisheva's pregnancy.
07:25When Gabriel visits Miriam six months into Elisheva's pregnancy, it provides us with clues
07:30about the timing of Yeshua's birth.
07:32Based on these calculations, a plausible alternative is that Yeshua was born in the spring around
07:38Nisan or in the fall around Tishrei.
07:40These dates align with key Jewish festivals, such as Passover in Nisan and the Feast of
07:46Tabernacles in Tishrei, both of which carry significant prophetic implications for the
07:51birth of the Messiah.
07:52In Luke 1, 5, Zechariah is identified as belonging to the division of Abijah.
07:58This division is one of the twenty-four priestly divisions established by King David to manage
08:03the responsibilities of temple service in an organized manner.
08:07Each division served in the temple for a week, twice a year, ensuring the smooth operation
08:12of temple activities.
08:14The division of Abijah, along with the other divisions, had critical roles that included
08:18offering sacrifices, burning incense, and performing other sacred duties essential for
08:24the worship and spiritual life of the Israelites.
08:27This rotational system allowed for an equitable distribution of priestly duties among all the
08:32priests, and ensured that the temple functions were continuously upheld, supporting the religious
08:37observance and practices of the Jewish people.
08:40Both Luke 1, 5-9, and 1 Chronicles 24, 7-18, offer valuable insights into the role and organization
08:48of the priesthood in Jewish religious practice, connecting the Old Testament's historical framework
08:54with the New Testament's narrative.
08:56In Luke 1, 5-9, we are introduced to Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah.
09:02This passage provides a personal glimpse into his life, highlighting his and his wife Elisheva's
09:07piety and righteousness.
09:09Zechariah's division, the eighth in the order established by King David, underscores the
09:14continuity of priestly traditions and duties.
09:17The focus here is on Zechariah's faithful service and his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
09:22to burn incense in the temple, a significant and honored task determined by Lot.
09:27In Luke 1, 5, Zechariah is identified as belonging to the division of Abijah.
09:33This division is one of the twenty-four priestly divisions established by King David to manage
09:38the responsibilities of temple service in an organized manner.
09:42Each division served in the temple for a week, twice a year, ensuring the smooth operation
09:47of temple activities.
09:48The division of Abijah, along with the other divisions, had critical roles that included
09:53offering sacrifices, burning incense, and performing other sacred duties essential for
09:58the worship and spiritual life of the Israelites.
10:01This rotational system allowed for an equitable distribution of priestly duties among all the
10:06priests and ensured that the temple functions were continuously upheld, supporting the religious
10:12observance and practices of the Jewish people.
10:15Both Luke 1, 5-9 and 1 Chronicles 24, 7-18 offer valuable insights into the role and organization
10:23of the priesthood in Jewish religious practice, connecting the Old Testament's historical framework
10:28with the New Testament's narrative.
10:30In Luke 1, 5-9, we are introduced to Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah.
10:36This passage provides a personal glimpse into his life, highlighting his and his wife Elisheva's
10:41piety and righteousness.
10:43Zechariah's division, the eighth in the order established by King David, underscores the continuity
10:49of priestly traditions and duties.
10:51The focus here is on Zechariah's faithful service and his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to burn
10:57incense in the temple, a significant and honored task determined by Lot.
11:011 Chronicles 24, 7-18, on the other hand, presents a broader organizational structure
11:08of the priesthood.
11:09It details the creation of 24 divisions of priests by King David, including the division
11:14of Abijah.
11:15This system ensured an orderly and efficient rotation of priestly duties, allowing for consistent
11:20temple service throughout the year.
11:22Each division, including Abijah's, would serve twice a year, maintaining the sacred rituals
11:28and responsibilities crucial to Jewish worship.
11:31When comparing the two passages, the personal narrative of Luke 1, 5-9 provides a specific
11:37instance of how the divisions functioned in practice, highlighting individual piety and
11:42divine encounters.
11:43In contrast, 1 Chronicles 24, 7-18, offers a foundational understanding of the priestly
11:50system's establishment, emphasizing the organized and communal nature of temple service.
11:56Together, these passages illustrate the seamless integration of personal devotion and structured
12:01religious practice within the Jewish faith.
12:04Each of the 24 priestly divisions, including the division of Abijah, served in the temple for
12:09one week, twice a year.
12:11This rotational schedule ensured that all divisions had equal opportunities to perform their duties,
12:17and that the temple service was continuous and well-organized throughout the year.
12:22The division system, established by King David, allowed the priests to fulfill their sacred
12:27responsibilities without overburdening any single group, maintaining the smooth operation
12:32of the temple's religious activities.
12:34The Jewish calendar indeed begins with the month of Nisan, and the priestly divisions would
12:39start their service from the first week of Nisan.
12:42Each division served for one week, and the cycle would repeat twice a year.
12:47Given that Zechariah belonged to the division of Abijah, which is the eighth division, here's
12:51how we can calculate his service week.
12:54First service.
12:55The first division served in the first week of Nisan.
12:58The second division served in the second week, and so on.
13:01The eighth division of Abijah would serve in the eighth week, which would fall roughly in
13:05the second month of the Jewish calendar, Iyar, late April to early May.
13:10Second service.
13:11Since there are twenty-four divisions, the cycle repeats, and each division serves again
13:16in the second half of the year.
13:18Thus, the second service of the division of Abijah would occur approximately twenty-four
13:22weeks later, placing it around Heshvan, late October to early November.
13:27So Zechariah's division would serve in the eighth week of the Jewish year, which would be in the month
13:32of Iyar, and then again roughly twenty-four weeks later in the month of Heshvan.
13:36If we consider that Zechariah served during the last week of Iyar, Elisheva's pregnancy
13:41likely began shortly after his service ended.
13:44This would place the beginning of her pregnancy in late Iyar, or early Sivan, late May to early
13:50June.
13:50The angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that Elisheva would conceive and bear a son, which
13:56we can reasonably assume happened soon after his temple service concluded.
14:00Given this timing, Elisheva's pregnancy would be in its sixth month by the time the angel
14:05Gabriel visited Miriam.
14:07This visit is described in Luke 1, 26, which states, in the sixth month of Elisheva's pregnancy.
14:13Therefore, this pivotal event of the Annunciation, where Gabriel tells Miriam she will conceive
14:19Yeshua, would occur around late Kislev or early Tevit, December to January.
14:24Following this timeline, Yeshua's conception would have taken place six months after Elisheva
14:29conceived John the Baptist.
14:31Thus, if Elisheva's pregnancy began around late May to early June, six months later would
14:37place Miriam's conception around late November to early December.
14:40This aligns with the traditional celebration of the Annunciation on March 25, which is nine
14:46months before the birth of Yeshua celebrated on December 25.
14:50These calculations highlight the close chronological connection between the births of John the Baptist
14:55and Yeshua.
14:56The intertwined timelines underscore the divine planning and fulfillment of prophecy in the
15:01Christian narrative, showcasing the significant roles that both Yachenson and Yeshua would play
15:07in the unfolding of salvation history.
15:09First, we start with Zechariah's temple service.
15:12As a priest in the division of Abijah, Zechariah served in the temple during the eighth week of
15:17the Jewish calendar, which falls around late Iyar, May.
15:20After his service, he returned home, and shortly thereafter, Elisheva conceived.
15:26This places the beginning of Elisheva's pregnancy around late May to early June.
15:31Six months into Elisheva's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel visited Miriam to announce that she
15:36would conceive Yeshua.
15:37This event is known as the Annunciation.
15:40If Elisheva's pregnancy began in late May or early June, six months later would place the
15:45Annunciation around Kislev, late November to early December.
15:49Therefore, Miriam's conception of Yeshua would occur around Tivit.
15:53Late January and early February Elisheva's full-term pregnancy would result in the birth of John,
15:59the Baptist, around nine months from late May to early June, which would be approximately
16:04late February to early March.
16:06This aligns with the timeline suggested by the text and historical context.
16:11Elisheva should conceive in June Sevan, so you calculate to six months from Tammuz,
16:16you ended up in Kislev, this marks Yeshua conception.
16:20Yeshua was conceived in Miriam's womb in Tivit.
16:23This timing corresponds with several historical and theological interpretations that suggest
16:28Yeshua was likely born in the early fall, possibly during the Jewish festival of Sukkot.
16:34These calculations, based on the accounts in Luke 1 and 1 Chronicles 24, provide a fascinating
16:40glimpse into the timeline of these significant events.
16:42It highlights how interconnected and divinely orchestrated the births of John the Baptist
16:47and Yeshua were, setting the stage for their pivotal roles in the unfolding narrative of
16:52salvation.
16:53Miriam's conception in Tivit, December-January.
16:57Starting the count from Shavuot, January-February, given that a typical pregnancy lasts about nine
17:02months.
17:03If we start counting from Shavuot, the months would be.
17:06Shavuot, January-February-Adar, February-March, Nisan-March-to-April, Eir, April-May,
17:12Sevan-May-to-June, Tammuz-June-to-July, Av-July-August, Elul-August-September, Tishrei-September-October,
17:19so, counting from Shavuot, Miriam would end up giving birth around Tishrei-September-October.
17:25This timing traditionally fits with the idea that Yeshua was born around the Jewish festival
17:29of Succot, which occurs in Tishrei.
17:32Luke 2, 4-7 so Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Nazareth
17:38in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem in Yehuda, to be registered with
17:42Miriam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant.
17:46While they were there, the time came for her to give birth, and she gave birth to her first
17:50child, a son.
17:51She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space
17:55for them in the living quarters.
17:57A feeding trough, also known as a manger, is a container or receptacle used to hold food
18:02for livestock.
18:03It's typically made of wood, metal, or stone, and is designed to allow animals easy access
18:09to their feed.
18:10Feeding troughs are commonly used on farms and in stables to provide a centralized location
18:15for feeding animals like cows, horses, sheep, and goats.
18:19Interestingly, the manger is also famously mentioned in the Nativity story in the Bible, where baby
18:24Yeshua, Jesus, is said to have been laid in a manger.
18:28The inns were consistently full during the month of Tishri due to its significance in
18:31the Jewish calendar.
18:33This month hosts several major Jewish holidays, including Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year,
18:38Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement, Succot, Feast of Tabernacles, and Simchat Torah.
18:43These holidays draw many people to Jerusalem for religious observances, resulting in a high demand
18:49for accommodations.
18:49In the Jewish calendar, the busiest months for guest houses, inns, and lodges in Judea
18:56are typically Tishrei and Sivan.
18:58Starting from Elul last week, all the inns and guest houses are full.
19:02Tishrei, usually September-October, includes important holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom
19:07Kippur, and Succot, which attract many visitors to the region.
19:11See, even May-June is busy due to the celebration of Shavuot, which also draws many people to
19:16Judea.
19:18These months see a significant increase in tourism and religious pilgrims, leading to
19:22higher occupancy rates in accommodations.
19:25The account of the shepherds and the birth of Jesus, yes, you are in the Gospel of Luke,
19:29indeed, describes shepherds watching over their flocks by night when the angels appeared
19:34to announce Jesus' birth.
19:36This scene has raised questions about the season of Jesus' birth, because shepherds
19:40typically wouldn't be out in the fields during the cold winter months.
19:44Seasonal Interpretation
19:45Some scholars suggest that the event might have taken place in a warmer season, such
19:50as spring or early autumn, when shepherds would still be out in the fields.
19:54This aligns with the practice of keeping sheep outdoors during milder weather.
19:58While the traditional date of December 25th for Christmas suggests a wintertime birth, many
20:04scholars believe that Yeshua was likely born in a different season.
20:08The exact timing remains uncertain, but the shepherd's presence in the fields suggests it
20:13was likely during a milder season.
20:16The choice of December 25th as the date to celebrate Christmas was made by early church
20:21officials in the 4th century CE.
20:23They likely selected this date to align with existing pagan festivals, such as Saturnalia
20:29and the celebration of Saul Invictus, which helped in integrating the celebration of Jesus'
20:34birth into the cultural practices of the time.
20:37Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture and time.
20:43Celebrated from December 17th to 23rd, it was marked by
20:47Feasting and joy, lavish meals, music, dancing, and general merriment.
20:51Role reversal, social norms were inverted, slaves dined with their masters and everyone joined
20:57the festivities.
20:58Gift giving, people exchanged simple gifts like candles, pottery, and nuts.
21:03Decorations, homes were adorned with greenery and festive decor.
21:08Public sacrifice, the festival kicked off with a public sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn.
21:13Saturnalia's joyful customs significantly influenced later traditions, including some associated
21:19with Christmas.
21:20Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or the birthday of the Invincible Sun, was a significant Roman
21:26festival celebrated on December 25th.
21:29This day honored Saul Invictus, the sun god, who symbolized the unconquered sun.
21:35Introduced by Emperor Aurelian in 274 CE as part of his efforts to revive and promote the
21:41worship of Saul Invictus, the festival was marked by public sacrifices, feasting, and gift-giving.
21:47The celebrations reflected the importance of the sun in Roman culture, embodying the hope
21:52and renewal that the sun represented during the winter solstice, a time when daylight began
21:57to increase.
21:59The choice of December 25th for Christmas was influenced by the desire to supplant pagan festivals
22:04with Christian celebrations.
22:06By aligning the birth of Jesus or Yeshua with Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, early Christians
22:12could more easily integrate their new faith into existing cultural practices.
22:17This strategic adaptation allowed for a smoother transition and greater acceptance of Christianity
22:22within the Roman Empire.
22:24The festival's customs, such as feasting and gift-giving, were absorbed and transformed into
22:29the traditions associated with Christmas today, illustrating the blend of ancient practices
22:34and the evolving nature of cultural celebrations.
22:38Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or the Birthday of the Invincible Sun, was a Roman festival celebrated
22:44on December 25th to honor Saul Invictus, the sun god.
22:49Emperor Aurelian introduced this festival in 274 CE to promote the worship of Saul Invictus.
22:56The celebrations included public sacrifices, feasting, and gift-giving, symbolizing the hope and renewal
23:02brought by the sun's return during the winter solstice.
23:05To facilitate the spread of Christianity, early Christians chose December 25th for Christmas
23:11to replace pagan festivals like Dies Natalis Solis Invicti.
23:15Aligning Yeshua's birth with this significant pagan holiday made it easier for people to transition
23:21to Christianity, integrating new religious practices into existing cultural traditions
23:26within the Roman Empire.
23:27The customs of Saturnalia, such as feasting and gift-giving, were incorporated into Christmas
23:33traditions.
23:34This blending of ancient practices with new religious significance demonstrates how cultural
23:39celebrations can evolve over time, reflecting a rich history of adaptation and integration.
23:45Antichrist, there are those who believe that Santa is an anagram for Satan.
23:50You know, breaking into houses late at night wearing long, kinky boots, his dodgy preference
23:55for small children, and psychotic reindeer with militaristic nicknames.
24:00At home in the flaming fireplace, Nicholas equals old Nick.
24:03And Santa's little helpers, the elves, they must be fallen angels in green tights and spock ears.
24:08Elves, evil, devil, see the connection.
24:11Well, we agree that the devil is a master of disguise, but come on.
24:15Why the devil should he appear as a paunchy geriatric troll with a raucous laugh?
24:20Hardly blends in with the crowd, now does he?
24:22Children might look forward to Christmas, not because it's a celebration of the birth of
24:26Jesus, but because Christmas is the time that Santa brings new toys.
24:31It could be argued that anyone who replaces Jesus Christ is the Antichrist.
24:35The same argument has been Levied against the Pope, televangelists, and anyone else on
24:40whom an importance is placed higher than Jesus Christ.
24:44We believe there is no connection between Santa, who doesn't exist, and Satan, who does.
24:49So we'll leave the connection theory with a pile of pine needles and head off for Christmas dinner.