Many people believe that all holidays have pagan origins, and while there are certainly pagan roots to many holidays, it is not accurate to say that all holidays are pagan in nature. Paganism refers to pre-Christian religions or belief systems that worshipped nature, gods, and goddesses. Many ancient holidays and traditions were indeed influenced by pagan customs and beliefs. For example, Christmas has roots in pagan winter solstice celebrations, while Easter has connections to pagan spring fertility festivals. Even Halloween, with its emphasis on spirits and the supernatural, has traces of pagan rituals. However, it is important to note that over time, religious and cultural holidays have evolved and incorporated different influences.

The unexpected origins of popular Christmas traditions

The unexpected origins of popular Christmas traditions 03:54 Though December 25 is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the date itself and several of the customs we've come to associate with Christmas actually evolved from pagan traditions celebrating the winter solstice. "Christmas is really about bringing out your inner pagan," historian Kenneth C. Davis told "CBS This Morning." According to Davis, Christmas was celebrated as early as the fourth century, suggesting that it had almost nothing to do with Jesus Christ. "In ancient Rome there was a feast called Saturnalia that celebrated the solstice. What is the solstice? It's the day that the sun starts coming back, the days start getting longer. And most of the traditions that we have that relate to Christmas relate to the solstice, which was celebrated in ancient Rome on December 25. So when Christianity became the official religion in a sense, in Rome, they were able to fix this date. . There's a little discrepancy about it but there's no question that the fact that it was celebrated in Rome as an important day with gift giving, candle lighting, and singing and decorating houses really cemented Christmas as December 25."

Another custom we can thank the pagans for? Christmas trees. Davis explained that the evergreen trees signaled the "return of life" and "light" as the winter solstice meant the days were starting to get longer. "They started to hang an apple on it, so little red balls on green trees — get the picture here? . So all of these things celebrate the idea that life and light are coming back into the world, which is essentially what Christmas means to Christians around the world."

Mistletoe, though, that was started by the Druids, who believed it was an all-powerful healing item from the sacred oak tree. "If you met someone in the forest you gave them the sign of peace under the mistletoe so people started to hang mistletoe above their doorways as a symbol of peace. This was such a powerful symbol of paganism that English churches actually banned the use of it," Davis said. Davis also pointed out that the very first instance of a "war on Christmas" actually dates back to the Puritans in the mid-17th century. "They knew all of these things, the date, the traditions, were pagan ideas. The Puritans banned Christmas for 20 years in America before the celebration became just too popular."

Pagan Holidays - Sermons, Bible Studies, Articles, and Essays

The holidays of this world counterfeit God's holy days, but it is obvious that they are very different. God warns us not to be involved in them.

Is New Year's Eve a Pagan Holiday?

New Year's Eve may seem like an innocuous, secular holiday, but it, too, has ties to ungodly, pre-Christian customs and religious practices.

Is New Year's Eve Pagan?

New Year's celebrations often involve drunkenness, debauchery, and adultery. God commands us to separate ourselves from these customs and traditions of the world.

Satan's Pagan Holy Days

New Years, Christmas, Easter, Halloween and birthdays all originate in paganism. Satan entices many into accepting these pagan practices through emotional appeals.

Cogitations on Christmas

Because of the pagan origins of Christmas, increasing numbers of Christians realize that one cannot 'put Christ' back into something in which He never was.

Spirit and Truth

The pagan origins of Christmas are well known. How can Christians practice something that has always been anti-God? Is this worshiping 'in spirit and in truth'?

When Was Jesus Born?

The Catholic Church chose December 25 as the date of Jesus' birth, centuries after the fact. However, internal biblical evidence gives a very different story.

Celebrating a Lie

The true story of Jesus' birth has been syncretized into a non-Christian festival, and even that has been obscured by a wrong date and a phony crèche scene.

The Rea$on for the Season

If there is indeed a 'war on Christmas,' then let Rome defend it, for it was pagan Rome that co-opted the winter solstice and inserted the presumed birth of Jesus.

'Tis the Season: Help for Our Young People

As another Christmas season approaches, many in God's church, including our children, dread having to endure it. We can help them understand God's way.

Syncretismas!

Christmas is a very blatant form of syncretism, the blending of diverse religious practices. The origins of Christmas testify of why we should reject it.

So You Plan to Keep Christmas Now?

Decorating with evergreens, festivals of lights, and the practice of giving dolls as gifts in the middle of winter all originate in pagan festivals.

Presumption and Divine Justice

Orthodoxy in virtually every aspect of life has been discarded, indicating how perverse human nature is in its determination to rebel against God.

Bucking Tradition

No one wants to have his traditions or treasured fantasies burst. But when a real Christian is presented with truth, he embraces it out of reverence for God.

Christmas and Sun Worship

Christmas, Easter, and Halloween all derive from sex, fertility, and sun worship. Christmas traces to the incestuous relationship of Semiramis and Nimrod.

The Plain Truth About Christmas

Did Christmas come from the Bible or paganism? Here are the origins of the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, mistletoe, the holly wreath, and exchanging gifts.

Valentine's Day and Real Love

The origins of Valentine's Day and its tenuous association with 'Saint Valentine' clearly point to something other than true love.

Halloween

Halloween is the second-most popular holiday. This night not only lacks biblical foundation, but the Bible warns us against participating in such activities.

Is Valentine's Day Really About Love?

St. Valentine's Day started as a lewd, sensual, pagan festival in Rome. Lupercalia is a rite connected with fertility, honoring Venus, the goddess of sex.

Christmas, Syncretism, and Presumption

Many think keeping Christmas is fine, yet God never tells us to celebrate His Son's birth. Celebrating such an obvious mix of biblical truth and paganism is presumptuous.

Truth-Based Worship Vs Spiritual Confusion

God never accepts worship that comes from human reasoning and the traditions of man. The starting point for worship must always be God and His revelation.

Does Paul Condemn Observing God's Holy Days?

Galatians 4:9-10 is a favorite crutch of those who claim Christians no longer need to observe God's holy days. However, Paul's meaning is quite different.

Something Fishy

Catholics eat fish on Friday as a form of penance, commemorating Christ's supposed death on 'Good' Friday. During pagan Lent, eating fish on Friday is mandatory.

The Resurrection Was Not on Sunday

Jesus said He would be 3 days and 3 nights in the tomb, but that is impossible in a Friday crucifixion, Sunday resurrection scenario. Here's the biblical truth.

Crazy or Christmas

If Christmas is Christ's birthday, it is strange that everybody else except Christ receives a gift. All of its symbols derive from pagan sources.

Was Jesus Resurrected on Easter Sunday?

When did Jesus rise from the rich man's tomb? The world—because of tradition—says Sunday, but the Bible reveals the only possible timing of His resurrection.

Be My Valentine?

February 14, Valentine's Day, may seem harmless enough, until the truth of its origins comes to light. Here is what lies behind this licentious, pagan day.

A Day of Lust, Not Love

Valentine's Day, firmly rooted in paganism, concentrates on lust and sexual immorality, which are contrary to the way of life that pleases God.

Halloween Rising

Most Americans do not believe in demonic spirits enough to think of Halloween as a celebration of them. Rather, Halloween is a massive escape from reality.

Appointments

God established the weekly Sabbath on the seventh day of Creation; He established His Holy Days (moedim) on the fourth day. These are His appointments.

For the Love of the Truth

Christ has never been in man's holidays, which are built on lies, and which teach children they cannot trust the veracity of their own parents.

The Plain Truth About Easter

Easter is not a Christian name, but belongs to the idolatrous 'queen of heaven.' Here are the origins of Easter eggs and sunrise services, which pre-date Christ.

Truth (Part 1)

If we are going to search for truth, we should not be seeking it in the philosophies of men, but rather in the fullness of truth found in God's revelation.

Hosea's Prophecy (Part Four)

Both Israel and Judah during Hosea's time adopted paganism from the surrounding nations. Syncretistic religion blends paganism and Christianity.

'After Three Days'

A scriptural explanation of the time of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, showing that He died on a Wednesday and rose from the dead on the Sabbath.

Pagan Holidays Vs. Christian Holidays Historical Facts

“What are you celebrating and who is it for?” This is a question about pagan Holidays that need to be answered.

Throughout the entire Bible, God has given us reminders and warnings as to who and where we should keep our eyes on. Admittedly, the work presents false teachings and flawed beliefs that drive us away from God little by little. One of these warnings is what we call and know as pagan holidays. This was introduced in Colossians 2:8 where we are reminded to be cautious, not to be enticed by philosophy and empty deceit.

Additionally, Colossians also adds that these “human traditions” are according to the elemental spirits of the world. And of course, this means that these traditions keep no tracks of God. Now, let’s split the words “pagan holiday” to understand what this means. In these celebrations, pagans take off a holiday or a celebration to commemorate events that worship, appreciate, and offer to false teachings or gods.

However, it is important to note that over time, religious and cultural holidays have evolved and incorporated different influences. Many religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, have been Christianized and adopted by Christianity to celebrate significant events in the life of Jesus Christ. These holidays have taken on new meanings and symbols within the context of their respective religions.

Paganism, Pagans And Its Holidays

Paganism is a broad topic with different opinions from different backgrounds. Others say that it is a belief surrounding the powers of witchcraft and supernatural energies. On the other hand, others say that it is the belief and dependence on supernatural realities. These directly connect and controls physical reality. Even to this day, the definition of what paganism stands for is still unclear. However, the Bible defines this in a different light. Unlike the definitions of today, the Bible stands firmly on one thing about paganism and that it is wrong and sinful.

God teaches us to stand firm against the enemy’s deceit. The idea of celebrating pagan holidays is brought into question in Matthew 15:3. We are given a question by God in this verse – “Why would you break God’s Commandments for the sake of your tradition?”. It’s a simple concept to understand. For example, Filipinos celebrate the Panagbenga Festival because they are Filipinos, right? So, if a person celebrates a pagan holiday, it comes as a given that this person is a pagan or someone who is open to committing pagan activities.

Furthermore, not all holidays have religious or pagan origins. Holidays like New Year's Day, International Women's Day, and Independence Day do not have pagan connections but are instead based on historical, cultural, or political events. These holidays are celebrated across different cultures and countries, and while they may have overlapping celebrations or customs, they do not necessarily derive from pagan practices. It is also important to recognize that different cultures and religions have their own unique holidays and traditions. While some may have pagan origins, others may have roots in different religious or cultural traditions. For example, Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights that celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. This holiday is not associated with paganism but is deeply rooted in Hindu beliefs. In conclusion, while it is true that many holidays have pagan origins, it is incorrect to assert that all holidays are pagan. Holidays have evolved over time and have incorporated different influences from various cultures, religions, and historical events. Recognizing the diverse origins and meanings of holidays can help foster a better understanding and appreciation for the rich tapestry of human traditions and celebrations..

Reviews for "Groundhog Day: A Pagan Superstition or a Fun Winter Tradition?"

1. John - 1/5 stars - I was very disappointed with "Are all holidays pagan". The author seemed to have a biased perspective and didn't provide enough factual evidence to support their claims. It felt like a one-sided argument rather than a well-researched analysis. I was hoping for a balanced discussion on the origins of holidays, but the book fell short of my expectations.

2. Emily - 2/5 stars - While "Are all holidays pagan" had an intriguing premise, the execution was lacking. The writing style was dry and academic, which made it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, I found that the author often made sweeping generalizations without offering enough depth or nuance to support their arguments. Overall, this book didn't provide the comprehensive exploration of holiday origins that I was hoping for.

3. Michael - 1/5 stars - I found "Are all holidays pagan" to be nothing more than a conspiracy theory disguised as a book. The author's arguments were flimsy at best, and I didn't find any credible sources or scholarly research to back up their claims. It felt like a wild stretch to connect every holiday to pagan origins. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book if you're looking for reliable information on the subject.

The Christmas Tree: A Pagan Symbol or a Festive Tradition?