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An interesting fact in mythological literature is that no matter how fanciful the subject matter is, concepts, theme or story line usually have a basis in fact. Through cultural, historical or religious influences more is added to the basic fact to enlarge, enrich and eventually overshadow the basis for the tale. This provides for an enlightening rendition that is acceptable and entertaining to the audience.
On the other hand, the reverse may also be true. There are times when ignorance of a truth or basis of an occurrence will instil fear - the fear of the unknown. To this end, people tend to 'color' or weave a tapestry of entertainment to explain or justify this confusing fear. In this fashion many tales are created or 'woven' from facts to obscure the basic truth or ignorance thereof.
Christians, who have a marvelous tendency to absorb and incorporate items for their religious benefits, made the ancient winter celebrations into 'their' most important holiday of festiveness. To Christians, March 25th marks the Feast of Annunciation - when the angel told Mary that she would bear Jesus. And Christmas was to mark the celebration of the birth of Christ, hence the derivation of the word 'Christmas'.
This christian festival is celebrated with customs that originate in 'heathen' rites that were around hundreds of years before the supposed birth of Christ. Further, not until the fourth century was December 25th set aside as the anniversary of the Nativity and it took another five centuries before this date became effectively acknowledged.
This leads us to three basic questions:
Historically, christianity swept the world in a relatively short span of time. The early christian missionaries faced a monumental task. "Pagans" were reluctant to give up their practices, festivals and other forms of worship. So the missionaries who were unable to entirely convert the population to a new 'code of worship' did the next best thing: they took the pagan festivals as they were, attached new significance and origins to them and tied the observances of the new faith to those of the original celebrations as well as the customs surrounding them. Christmas is actually a combination of three 'pagan' observances: The Nordic Yule festival; the Roman Saturnalia; and the birthday of a wellknown renouncer of historic christianity and christian influences.
According to the Plan of Ages (as defined in De Pascha Computus), March 25th is the first day of the Creation. In Aryan religions and myths, December 25th (or thereabout) marks the end of the Winter Solstice. To honor and celebrate this, the Nordics held the Yule Feast.
It was solemnized by several customs and rites; most noteworthy were the use of the Yule Log, Yule cakes, mistletoe and the burning of candles. Cakes, usually with raisins and other fruits, were an easy way to share repast with weary and cold travellers and convenient to give to guests to partake on their journey home from the festivities. Mistletoe, a plant sacred to the Druids, was hung outside the house as a sign of welcome to strangers.The Yule Feast was a time of tribal sharing, especially the fellowship among family and friends. The Yule Log and candles also played an integral part of the Yule observance. They were symbols of fire and light, bringing welcome relief from the darkness and cold temperatures of the northern midwinter.
The seven days of feasting associated with the Roman Saturnalia was one of the more readily absorbed observances. (Through time, it is said that the eight-day Jewish festival known as Hannukah actually derived from this seven-day observance.) Even the sternest advocate of christianity could not eradicate the notion that Saturnalia was a time of merrymaking and exchanging of presents. In Ancient Rome, the Romans of affluence used to switch roles with their slaves who were encouraged to elect their own "king" for the holiday. He would preside over a grand banquet at which the master would personally serve him and the other slaves. At the end of this celebration the 'kings' were put to death. Now isn't this an amazing coincidence to the christian 'King' of the oppressed Jews, the 'Last Supper' and the final crucifixion recognizing Christ's divinity?
This leads us to a bit of irony and gives one more answer to the question of what does December 25th actually celebrate. It is the acknowledged (according to myth) birthdate of Sir Gawain, the most virtuous knight of King Arthur's Court. Sir Gawain was the most celebrated knight of the Roundtable, for he exemplified those traits and characteristics of the 'perfect' and virtuous servant to King Arthur and the christian religion. He was a true Christian and even carried a portrait of the Virgin Mary on the obverse side of his battle shield.
Reading "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" we find that Sir Gawain was also the staunchest supporter of theDruidic and Nordic religions. Within this tale we see that Sir Gawain is influenced by Bercelak, the Green Knight, who is of the Shee (ancient gods of Ireland). At the end of the tale, not only does Sir Gawain renounce christianity, but he also influences King Arthur (as well as the rest of the Arthurian Court) to do likewise. Because of his renunciation of christianity at a time when the christian influence was sweeping through Europe but was not readily accepted by those who followed other gods, Europeans of that historic period celebrated his birthday with festivals in his honor.
So next time you watch TV or hear what Christmas is touted to be and how it is celebrated, remember that because the early Christians did their 'job of infiltration' very well, this adaptation of ancient tradition is in fact based on rites and observances of Nordic origin and the birthday celebrated is that of one of our Nordic heroes who renounced that which is being hallowed by the christian public.
C.W.