Any believing Christian who is aware of the historical, pagan 'Sun-Baal' connections of this date should entirely avoid celebrating Christmas. It points to certain denominations, such as Jehovah Witnesses, who explicitly refuse to participate in the celebration for this very reason.
December 25th was the most important of Sun Festivals, the new
birth of the God, rising three days after 'dying' at the winter
solstice. Today, the celebration continues and its many features
can be witnessed. A few of these include:
* Excessive eating, drinking and merry was commin in Saturnalia
festival
* Father Christmas (Red Man) - who was originally Apollo, the
Sun-God or Thor God depicted as an elderly man, jovial or
friendly, of heavy build with a long white beard who drove a
chariot through the sky
* Fireplace - the fireplace in pagan homes was sacred to Thor
God which he would descend though the chimney
* Giving of gifts - a feature of Saturnalia festival
* Christmas card bearing the cheeky robin bird (with its chest
bearing the flame symbol)
* Snowman - who melts when the Sun comes out (is defeated by
the Sun)
* Fir-tree trinkets and decorations, symbolising life in the
'dead' parts of the world
* Holly - to deflect evil goblins in winter solstice
* Ivy - the female version of the 'male' holly
* Mistletoe - used by pagan druids in their worship
* Yule Log - sacred to the Thor God which is symbolised today as a chocolate cake
Long before Jesus arrived, the Sun-God Mithras was worshipped.
* Mithras was said to have been a great mediator between God and
humanity
* Mithras was born of a virgin in a cave on December 25th
* Mithras travelled far and wide with 12 disciples
* Mithras died in the service of humanity.
* Mithras rose again from the tomb, and his resurrection was
celebrated with great rejoicing.
* His great festivals were the Winter Solstice and the Vernal
Equinox.
* Mithras was called Saviour and sometimes figures as a lamb.
People were initiated into the cult through the baptism of blood
* Dinoysus, the Greek God also known as Bacchus was born on
December 25th
* Dinoysus' mother was a virgin called Demeter
* The world was full of evil, so the GOD of Gods was called on
to save humanity
* The prayer was accepted by Jupiter who declared his Son
would redeem the world from its misery
* Dionysus known as his only begotten-Son, was sent as the
Saviour
* The shedding of Dinoysus' blood was symbolized in his gift
of wine to humanity
In 380 CE, under the Edict of Thessalonica issued by Emperor Theodosius I, Nicene (Catholic) Christianity officially became the state religion of the Roman Empire, leading to the institutional regulation of religious practices and the formalisation of a calendar of feast days like Christmas and Easter.
Yes, Christian Scientists fully celebrate traditional Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, but with a distinct spiritual focus. Rather than emphasizing the material aspects or secular traditions, they use these times to deeply contemplate the spiritual meaning of Christ Jesus’ birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. They do not hold special communion services with physical bread and wine, preferring silent, internal communion with God.
Jehovah Witnesses do not celebrate major religious or national holidays including Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or the 4th of July. They also do not celebrate birthdays. Their rejection of these events stems from the belief that these celebrations have pagan origins or promote a nationalistic spirit that honors humans rather than God. The only major event they formally observe is the annual Memorial of Christ's Death (also known as the Lord's Evening Meal).