[quote]Varqanir wrote:
Before anyone gets offended at the idea of Christmas being celebrated as a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Christ, just think of your options:
You could celebrate the birth of the Persian god Mithra, who was born of a virgin on December 25th, 1400 BC. He was born in a cave, and his birth was witnessed by shepherds and magi bearing gift. During his life he cast out demons, healed the sick and performed other miracles. After sharing a last supper with his 12 disciples, he sacrificed his life, emerging from his tomb three days later to return to heaven, around the time of the Spring Equinox (Easter).
Alternatively, if Mithra is not to your liking, you could celebrate the birth of the Egyptian god Horus, also born on December 25 to a virgin. He too was born in a cave, his birth being foretold by a star in the east and attended by three wise men.
Horus was baptized in the Iarutana river by Anup the Baptist, who was later decapitated. Accompanied by his 12 disciples, Horus performed many miracles, fed bread to the multitudes, cast out demons, walked on water, and even raised a man, El-Azar-us, from the dead. His personal epithet was “Iusa” (the Ever-Becoming Son). Other titles included “The Good Shepherd”, “The Lamb of God”, “The Word Made Flesh”, “The Way, the Truth and the Light”, as well as “KRST” (the Anointed One).
Horus was crucified between two thieves, buried in a tomb for three days, and then resurrected, to reign for a thousand years.
Of course, just to mix things up, you could also celebrate the birthdays of Attis, Frey, Thor, Adonis, Tammuz, Cernunnos, or any of the other gods whose births are traditionally believed to have occurred around the 25th of December.
If you are going to celebrate the Roman holiday of Saturnalia (feast of Saturn), be sure to remember the following pagan tips, which may sound a bit exotic in these enlightened times:
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Decorate a tree with colorful bits of metal and candles, representing the sun god.
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Deck the halls with boughs of holly, the sacred plant of Saturn, and the symbol of friendship and good fortune.
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Hang up mistletoe and kiss beneath it, mistletoe being a symbol of fertility.
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Go from house to house, singing festive songs.
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Feast with family and friends.
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Exchange gifts.
If you are one of those who believe that Jesus was actually born sometime in January or February (according to Matthew 2), and that Christmas is just a thinly disguised Saturnalia that was renamed by Constantine once he converted the Roman Empire to Christianity, you can always emulate the Pilgrims and Puritans, who banned Christmas altogether, under pain of imprisonment for heresy.
Otherwise, Merry Christmas to all.[/quote]
wow… cool post.