In the West December 25 is Christmas. But January 7 is the Russian Orthodox Christmas—so it's Christmas again — and to all those who celebrate this day, a VERY Happy Christmas.
Certainly, Christmas is a fusion of Christian and Pagan customs. Yes, Roman Saturnalia (as you correctly pointed out) but also Germanic/Norse Yuletide, from which we get decorated trees and burning Yule logs in the hearth. The Protestants love to screech about this, but I see it as a strength -- it was my Catholic Church's ability to absorb influences, while retaining its core qualities, that made it so historically successful.
Anyway, merry belated xmas! Russian Santa looks cool, I hope he brought plenty of goodies for the Z warriors!
Happy Orthodox Christmas to you, too, Julian! (Must be great to have a calendar system named after you.) I celebrated the day putting my large Christmas tree away and putting out my smaller "Peace Tree" as I call it, covered in symbols and messengers of peace such as doves, birds, angels. It'll probably stay up until all the bloodshed around the world ceases.
My idea about this festivity and way to get together and help each other is called The Winter Solstice on the Northern hemisphere, where our main Northern civilizations found each other because of the winter coming and the group joining to survive the Cold Winter again.
I can understand it is different for the groups that lived in the Global South as they use to call it now.
In Europe the first Christian missionaries travelling among Germanic and other tribes, found out this festivity of sharing and preparing for Winter was very strong, so they replaced slowly Odin (Wotan or Wodan) with Father Christmas or Sinterklaas ("Bishop" Saint Claus) and the fires and shouting and group Yule social children support for winter on a date close to the winter Solstice.
I'm not religious – at least not in the conventional sense. I just think we should honor people of goodwill and events and times that promote such feelings – caring for one another. In Russia you have many different religions – but still people get along. Me? Am I an animist? Or animalist? LOL
I do believe in something very big, that cannot be seen and from which our World or Universe sprouts...
I do believe that the thing everybody calls "me" has two aspects, the FALSE one -the Ego- and a TRUE one, the "Self", which all conscious beings share and which is in reality only ONE. Not more.
The main part of this believe is based on Modern Scientific Research, because i am not a believer in "Narratives". I only believe in the scientific Method as the road to Truth.
In Science some -even a growing number of- Physicists say that matter (Mass) does not exist. The prove of that is the recent discovery of the Quantum "Higgs-field", the impact of which still echoes in the Physical Science world...
"Matter" is called from Ontology, some-"thing" that Happens, not something that IS.
The only reality, which we cannot experience, but which projects a 4D Space-Time in consciousness -a bit like a Hologram does project a 3D image in light-, which we call: "the Creation" or "The Big Bang", from interacting Quantum fields.
Sorry – that should have been just HAPPY CHRISTMAS. I was using dictation software because of my injured hand and it inserted "replies stinks brothers". Guess I have to reinstall the software once again....
Sorry – that should have been just HAPPY CHRISTMAS. I was using dictation software because of my injured hand and it inserted "replies stinks brothers". Guess I have to reinstall the software once again....
Certainly, Christmas is a fusion of Christian and Pagan customs. Yes, Roman Saturnalia (as you correctly pointed out) but also Germanic/Norse Yuletide, from which we get decorated trees and burning Yule logs in the hearth. The Protestants love to screech about this, but I see it as a strength -- it was my Catholic Church's ability to absorb influences, while retaining its core qualities, that made it so historically successful.
Anyway, merry belated xmas! Russian Santa looks cool, I hope he brought plenty of goodies for the Z warriors!
Happy Christmas Julian!
2 years ago Ethical Skeptic did a very interesting dive into when Yeshua/Issa/Jesus was likely born. Here is a link: https://theethicalskeptic.com/2022/02/24/a-curious-astrological-confluence/
Revealing background information on the origins of Christianity. Thanks for sharing this.
Happy Orthodox Christmas to you, too, Julian! (Must be great to have a calendar system named after you.) I celebrated the day putting my large Christmas tree away and putting out my smaller "Peace Tree" as I call it, covered in symbols and messengers of peace such as doves, birds, angels. It'll probably stay up until all the bloodshed around the world ceases.
Julian, my friend - your dissertation regarding Christianity is a perfect example of "A man should know his limitations." - Dirty Harry.
I would never try to match your abilities in researching the subjects you dig into DEEPLY - I know my limitations.
However, if you want to get a handle on Christianity - https://crushlimbraw.blogspot.com/2020/02/cap-kingdom-of-god-study-list.html - it would be a good place to start. I've been at it for over 50 years.....and still larnin'!
History - www.crushlimbraw.com - mine.
But keep writin'!
Thanks Crush
I am certainly open to criticism – especially in regard to my opinions about Christian history and belief since a lot is lost in time.
Please feel free to add to the discussion. I value your learning and opinions.
Julian
I tried to get at some of the same message with my latest substack. https://open.substack.com/pub/theraven/p/beyond-tribalism-and-fundamentalism?r=36q38&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Merry Christmas to all Russians and all who celebrate Christmas today!
Well said!
Thank You Julian...
My idea about this festivity and way to get together and help each other is called The Winter Solstice on the Northern hemisphere, where our main Northern civilizations found each other because of the winter coming and the group joining to survive the Cold Winter again.
I can understand it is different for the groups that lived in the Global South as they use to call it now.
In Europe the first Christian missionaries travelling among Germanic and other tribes, found out this festivity of sharing and preparing for Winter was very strong, so they replaced slowly Odin (Wotan or Wodan) with Father Christmas or Sinterklaas ("Bishop" Saint Claus) and the fires and shouting and group Yule social children support for winter on a date close to the winter Solstice.
But anyway... HAPPY WHATEVER !!
https://www.occupyschagen.nl/Gifs/Yule.gif
Sander
PS. There is this warning however...
https://www.occupyschagen.nl/Div/Whirlwind.jpg
I'm not religious – at least not in the conventional sense. I just think we should honor people of goodwill and events and times that promote such feelings – caring for one another. In Russia you have many different religions – but still people get along. Me? Am I an animist? Or animalist? LOL
Thank you... i agree.
Well...
To be honest...
I do believe in something very big, that cannot be seen and from which our World or Universe sprouts...
I do believe that the thing everybody calls "me" has two aspects, the FALSE one -the Ego- and a TRUE one, the "Self", which all conscious beings share and which is in reality only ONE. Not more.
https://www.occupyschagen.nl/Gifs/Ani-NonDual.gif
The main part of this believe is based on Modern Scientific Research, because i am not a believer in "Narratives". I only believe in the scientific Method as the road to Truth.
In Science some -even a growing number of- Physicists say that matter (Mass) does not exist. The prove of that is the recent discovery of the Quantum "Higgs-field", the impact of which still echoes in the Physical Science world...
"Matter" is called from Ontology, some-"thing" that Happens, not something that IS.
The only reality, which we cannot experience, but which projects a 4D Space-Time in consciousness -a bit like a Hologram does project a 3D image in light-, which we call: "the Creation" or "The Big Bang", from interacting Quantum fields.
https://www.occupyschagen.nl/Div/Silence.jpg
Of course these are just attempts in words to express my "Religious Experience."
But when i am shopping i smile friendly to the girl who always asks me if i want "stamps" and i always say: "no, thank you".
Sander
Mary's pregnancy fits the mood of Christianity's pagan heritage. Merry weird fucking to all!
Happy Christmas replies stinks brothers!
Sorry – that should have been just HAPPY CHRISTMAS. I was using dictation software because of my injured hand and it inserted "replies stinks brothers". Guess I have to reinstall the software once again....
But thank you so much-- I appreciate the feeling.
Thanks brother. Greetings from Serbia. 😸
Sorry – that should have been just HAPPY CHRISTMAS. I was using dictation software because of my injured hand and it inserted "replies stinks brothers". Guess I have to reinstall the software once again....
But thank you so much-- I appreciate the feeling.