The origins of the Christmas myth can be traced back to various pagan traditions and celebrations that predate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many of the customs associated with Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorating trees, and exchanging greetings, have their roots in ancient pagan festivals. One of the earliest pagan festivals that influenced Christmas was the Roman festival of Saturnalia. This festival, which took place in late December, was a time of feasting, gift-giving, and revelry. It was also a time when social hierarchies were temporarily reversed, with slaves being allowed to enjoy the same privileges as their masters. Some of the traditions associated with Saturnalia, such as the lighting of candles and the hanging of greenery, found their way into Christmas celebrations.
Ancient people knew that God-men worked miracles. The early Christians knew that Jesus was a God-man, so the stories they told about Him included miracles. He even did same miracles other, earlier Pagan godmen did.
The core of Christianity the worship of a miracle working, walking, talking godman who brings salvation was also the core of other ancient religions that began a thousand years before Jesus. From our research into ancient spirituality it has become obvious that we must fundamentally revise our understanding of Christian origins in the most shocking of ways.
Some of the traditions associated with Saturnalia, such as the lighting of candles and the hanging of greenery, found their way into Christmas celebrations. Another important influence on Christmas was the pagan festival of Yule, which was celebrated by the Germanic peoples. Yule marked the winter solstice and was a time of feasting, drinking, and sacrifices to ensure a good harvest in the coming year.
Pagan Origins of the Christ Myth - Softcover
In Pagan Origins of the Christ Myth, John G. Jackson sources the pagan origins of Christian doctrine with particular focus on the creation and atonement myths. Rooted in historical facts, Jackson's claims are steeped in research and demonstrate how Christianity synthesizes the rituals, beliefs, and characteristics of savior gods from ancient Egyptian, Greek, Aztec, and Hindu origins. This concise introduction remains an insightful contribution to comparative religion studies.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
4.12 avg rating • ( 175 ratings by Goodreads ) Buy New Learn more about this copy US$ 7.50Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Featured Edition
Watchm. 2016
Softcover
Martin. 2016
Softcover
Girard. 2015
Softcover
Africa. 2015
Softcover
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock ImageThe Yule log, a large wooden log that was burned in the hearth, was an important symbol of this festival. The tradition of burning a Yule log has evolved into the modern practice of lighting a Yule log-shaped cake or a log-shaped candle. The Celtic festival of Midwinter, which was celebrated around the same time as Yule, also played a role in shaping Christmas traditions. It was a time of feasting, storytelling, and the lighting of fires to symbolize the return of the sun. The use of evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe, as decorations during Christmas can be traced back to these Celtic celebrations. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, efforts were made to incorporate pagan customs into Christian celebrations in order to make the new religion more appealing to the masses. In the 4th century, Pope Julius I officially declared December 25th as the date of Jesus' birth, in an attempt to Christianize the existing Roman festival of Saturnalia. This decision helped to solidify the association between Christmas and pagan traditions. It is important to note that despite its pagan origins, Christmas has come to hold deep religious significance for Christians around the world. For believers, the holiday is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to reflect on the message of love, peace, and goodwill that he brought to the world..
Reviews for "Pagan Origins of Christian Symbols: Understanding the Ancient Roots of Religious Iconography"
1. Jessica - 2 stars
As a fan of mythology and religious studies, I was excited to read "Pafan: Origins of the Christ Myth". However, I was sorely disappointed by the book. The author's theories were unsubstantiated and lacked solid evidence. The writing style was also dry and unengaging, making it difficult to stay interested in the subject matter. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing read that did not live up to my expectations.
2. John - 1 star
I found "Pafan: Origins of the Christ Myth" to be a tedious and confusing read. The author's arguments were convoluted and poorly explained, making it difficult to follow their train of thought. Additionally, there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book, which further hindered my understanding. It felt like the author was trying to prove a point without providing enough evidence or logical reasoning. I cannot recommend this book to anyone looking for a coherent and well-researched analysis of the Christ myth.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I was intrigued by the premise of "Pafan: Origins of the Christ Myth", but unfortunately, the execution fell flat. The writing was disjointed and lacked a clear structure, making it difficult to follow the author's arguments. The book also seemed to rely heavily on speculation and conjecture, without providing sufficient evidence or supporting sources. While I appreciate the attempt to explore alternative theories, this book did not provide a compelling or convincing case for its claims. Overall, I was disappointed in the book and would not recommend it to others.
4. Mike - 1 star
Having read numerous books on mythology and religious history, I found "Pafan: Origins of the Christ Myth" to be poorly researched and unconvincing. The author seemed more interested in pushing their own agenda rather than presenting a balanced and well-supported argument. The book also lacked a clear structure, with ideas and points often being repeated or going off on tangents. It was a frustrating read that left me questioning the author's credibility. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a thoughtful and well-reasoned exploration of the Christ myth.