Scissor Queen

Actually Saturnalia is the reason for the season. Saturnalia was celebrated at the winter solstice in Roman times. The Roman Catholic Church decreed that "Christ's Mass" take place at the same time as Saturnalia so more Pagans would join the church. I'm not sure but I think Hannukah was already being celebrated by that time as well.

Maribeth

Thanks, Scissor Queen, Nothing like the facts to make me smile this morning.

thepolyparrot

I'm pretty sure that THIS was exactly the type of post that the originating posted was attempting to avoid.

My apologies to the originating poster, but I must correct these misperceptions. They are passed along every year - and every year, a new group of people accept the errors in this thinking.

I used to be neo-pagan, and I would believe anything negative about the Catholic Church that you could have told me. I hated the Catholic Church.

It took very little research to prove that these claims of Christmas being rooted in pagan feasts were untrue. Here are some wonderful articles right off the top of the list:

http://www.crisismagazine.com/2011/c...-frodo-baggins
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/is-catholicism-pagan
http://www.catholic.com/magazine/art...and-propaganda

Merry Christmas and good will to ALL! Jesus blesses us all whether we believe in Him or not. The world is a better place because He came.

Time and history itself was split in two when He was born.

It is His birth that gives us any real reason at all to be good to one another, to love one another, to be kind, to do the right thing, to be upright, to want justice, mercy and truth for all people.

Merry Christmas wishes you all these good things and many more - all good! That's the essence of good will - wishing good for all - even those who hate you or insult you or hurt you. Because that's what HE did.

Merry Christmas!
Elizabeth, a joy-filled, grateful Catholic

TanyaL

Thank you Elizabeth. For all of you who are willing to accept warm wishes from a Christian during this holiday season, good wishes to you. For those of you who aren't Christians and don't want to receive warm wishes please know I wish you whatever emotion you want to have to endure our holiday.

joyce j

I wish everyone the best of the season ,Merry Christmas an happy holidays .

caspharm

Happy Holidays!

jbj137

Thank you, j j

JulieR

Exactly, which is why "complements of the season" is such a perfect greeting at this time of year! Many holidays occur now that have nothing to do with Christianity, and it's right to wish others well on these days regardless of their beliefs.

If anyone would like to read more about the origins of the modern Christmas observance, there are many secular links that don't cater to any particular religion - plus some that do. They are worth a read, alongside the Christian links referenced above that tell their own stories.
http://www.simpletoremember.com/vita...eRealStory.htm

JulieR

Offering warm wishes to anyone on any day is simple human kindness. I do not celebrate Christmas but I'm having a marvelous time anyway, thank you.

So, complements of the season to you and yours!

Mad Mimm

You are a born diplomat! It would taking nothing short of lunacy to be offended by your post and the heartfelt message you conveyed. Sending complements right back atcha dear!!!