Happy Christmas!

Good Everything

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.

Nobody really knows when Christ was born.

Most scholars think that December 25 was chosen when the Romans decided they needed a new state religion, to give a little extra umph to their collapsing empire— and this was just the most convenient time to celebrate.

From the Coliseums to Catherals

The Romans had noticed that Christians were pretty dedicated—going to their deaths in the Coliseum—not perhaps cheerfully—but strengthened by their beliefs. The Romans respected courage and loyalty.

Although Constantine is credited with legalizing Christianity—there had been a movement towards toleration, if not inclusion well before him—with various generals issuing edicts of toleration to recruit Christians into the legions.

Early Christians were apparently not all pacifists.

These…ummm ”Christians” were also not of one mind.

Christianity began as an offshoot of Judaism—one might say created by Paul who was a Jew and therefore believed in only one God— and had never met Jesus while he was alive. In his writings, Paul does not specifically say that Jesus is God. In fact, many early Christians did not believe that Christ was divine.

“Son of God”?

The term “Son of God” was often used in Israel to designate virtuous and godly people —and cannot be taken literally. Paul and otheres tend to use expressions of this kind in this way.

In any event, Constantine could not have a state religion with so many different interpretations—hence the Council of Nicaea— which among other things dumped about 80 Gospels in favor of just four— and created a creed – “I believe in the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost”— a sort of compromise polytheism— which the Romans found easy to accept.

At this time, up to 50% of Christians, especially Ebonites and Arians did not believe in the divinity of Christ.

In any case, the rulers of the empire got their new state religion— the question was how to sell it. How to convince people to accept the transition? The Trinity was helpful but something more was needed.

Saturnalia

Since the festival of Saturnalia was held December 25—the birthday of Sol Invictus and Mithras – what better day to celebrate the birth of Christ! I'm not sure how the sex orgies, gluttony and drunkenness fitted in. But….what's life without a little ambivalence?

Here in Tokyo, Japanese people—who are not Christians mostly— celebrate Christmas anyway with parties where they eat too much, get drunk, and have sex.

No doubt why August here is the most “popular” month for births…LOL.

In the West where fewer and fewer people are Christian anymore, we still celebrate December 25 as Christmas following the Gregorian calendar as the Roman Catholic Church does.

The Russian Orthodox Church, however, uses the Julian calendar— which naturally is the correct calendar—since its named “Julian”.

Muslims believe in Jesus too— just not his divinity. They, however, believe him divinely inspired— a prophet, the last and greatest before Mohammed. Muslims believe Jesus was born somewhere between summer and early fall.

I think Christians should celebrate then too. It might help with our declining birth rates.

The message is what matters

Joking aside, for me, the theological details of Jesus's relationship to God are not as important as his message— no matter what your religion.

So let us all wish Russian Orthodox people Happy Christmas— peace and goodwill and love and kindness and toleration. Add to this mercy and humility.

Paul said it best:

Corinthians 13

(King James Version)

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

In early Christianity, there were at least three words for love –”caritas”, (caring); “eros”, (amatory love) ; and “agape” (from Greek: spiritual love).

Simply put, Paul is saying we must care for one another. At Christmas. we reaffirm that message. Love one another.

Happy Christmas

Not Ichi — but what he used to look like as a kitten.

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