Hidden History Of Christmas: Pagan Origins of Babylon
Uncover the pagan roots of Christmas and explore how ancient traditions have shaped modern celebrations
Did You Know Christmas Has Pagan Roots?
The festive season brings familiar sights: decorated trees, twinkling lights, and celebrations on December 25th. Yet beneath these cherished traditions lies a fascinating historical tapestry that stretches back to ancient Babylon.
For some, Christmas is all about family, friends, and spreading the festive spirit, which, from what we know, did not reach its defining moment with the birth of Christ. These customs are derived from pagan practices and ideas that are over one thousand years older than Christianity.
The seemingly innocent acts of:
- Bringing trees into our homes
- Placing stars atop these trees
- Decorating with silver and gold ornaments
- Kissing under mistletoe
- Lighting candles
Each carries a deeper historical significance rooted in ancient practices.
The story begins in Babylon, where winter solstice celebrations laid the groundwork for what would become Christmas. These practices traveled through various civilizations—from Babylon to Rome, Greece, and eventually into modern Christian traditions.
This concealed past brings up interesting points concerning the holiday to be celebrated. Why is it on December 25th? What is the particular holiday that these traditions can be attributed to? Learning the origins of the traditions doesn’t take away from the significance of the holiday—it helps us understand how various cultures were interwoven into the holiday that is Christmas today.
Paganism in the December 25th Celebration
The adoption of December 25th as Christmas Day is found nowhere in Christian history but is borrowed from pagan cultures. There are documents that inform us that Christ was not born on this date. The same biblical record of shepherds watching their flock indicates that Christmas was in another season because shepherds in Judea did not keep their flocks in the open fields during the winter months.
Ancient Deities and December 25th
Several ancient gods are believed to have been born on December 25th:
- Egyptian god Horus
- Greek god Helios
- Greco-Roman god Apollo
- Hindu god Mithra
- Babylonian god Bal (Nimrod)
The common birthday of these deities is December 25. The significance of this date is that it coincides with the Winter Solstice, the date of the longest night of the year. People who practiced ancient Babylonian civilizations held this time to be quite significant for many spiritual activities and festivities.
Winter Solstice Significance
The winter solstice held great importance in ancient cultures:
- It was the longest night of the year.
- It marked a change in seasons.
- It had spiritual significance.
- It was a time for ritualistic celebrations.
The Roman festival of Saturnalia, which predates Christian Christmas celebrations, took place from December 17th to December 25th. This festival included:
- Gift exchanges
- Public celebrations
- Communal feasting
- Ritual ceremonies
By 325 CE, during Constantine's reign, December 25th became officially recognized as Christmas Day. This decision wasn't based on biblical evidence but rather served as a strategic move to unite pagan and Christian traditions. The Roman Church adopted this date to ease pagan converts into Christianity while allowing them to maintain familiar celebration patterns.
Early Christian Response
Historical records from around 230 CE reveal early Christian resistance to these celebrations. Tertullian, an early Christian author, expressed concern about Christians participating in pagan festivals:
"By us who are strangers to sabbaths and new moons and festivals once acceptable to God, the Saturnalia, the feasts of January, the Brumalia, and Matronalia are now frequented"
The merging of these traditions created lasting impacts on modern Christmas celebrations. Many contemporary Christmas customs—from the timing of the holiday to specific celebratory practices—trace their roots to these ancient pagan observances. This blending of traditions is further explored in detail in articles discussing the pagan origins of Christmas.
Connecting Ancient Deities to Christmas Traditions
The feast of the divine Christmas on 25th December cuts across various old civilizations and forms an elaborate network of myths that are related to present Christmas practices.
Notable Deities Born on December 25th:
- Egyptian god Horus: The falcon-headed deity represented the sun and kingship
- Greek god Helios: The personification of the sun who drove his chariot across the sky
- Greco-Roman god Apollo: The god of light, music, and prophecy
- Hindu god Mithra: A solar deity associated with light and truth
- Bal (Nimrod): The deified Babylonian ruler worshipped as the sun god
In influencing the early symbols of Christianity, these important figures have certain aspects in common. Their links with light, new beginnings, and the winter solstice provided an impetus for grafting—which is the merging of different religions.
The idea of godly origin on the winter solstice has its roots in ancient civilizations. With the days growing short, ancient people’s understanding included stories of the death of the sun deity and his resurrection. The narrative of such astronomy has, in the course of time, become associated with the customary practices of different societies.
Symbolic Elements Adopted from Ancient Deities:
- Light Symbolism: The use of candles and lights reflects ancient sun worship practices
- Gift-Giving Traditions: Borrowed from Roman Saturnalia celebrations
- Sacred Trees: Connected to various deity worship practices in Egypt and Rome
- Star Symbolism: Derived from ancient astronomical worship
The transformation of these pagan elements into Christian traditions occurred gradually. Constantine's efforts to unite pagans and Christians in the 4th century CE led to the incorporation of these ancient symbols into Christmas celebrations.
Religious scholars note the deliberate adoption of pagan customs to make Christianity more appealing to converts. This strategic integration created lasting traditions that blend ancient mythology with Christian theology.
The influence of these deities extends beyond religious symbolism. Their attributes and celebrations shaped cultural practices that evolved into modern Christmas customs.
Ancient practices can, however, be traced back to modern festival traditions from the time of celebration, all the way to decorations.
Indeed, as archaeological findings suggest, ancient gods had their own followers who worshipped them through festive occasions, feasting, and other rituals, many of which are quite similar to the Christmas celebration today. These similarities only serve to highlight the influence archaic faiths have had on society's modern-day festive way of life.
Pagan Influences Over the Modern Day Christmas Traditions
The modern Christmas holiday is not devoid of pagan influences, such as the Christmas tree, for instance. Historical accounts indicate that this practice can be traced to ancient Babylon, where people gave trees religious meanings.
In ancient Rome and Egypt, sacred trees played distinct roles in winter celebrations:
- Egypt: Palm trees symbolized their pagan messiah, Baal-Tamar.
- Rome: Fir trees represented Baal-Berith, their divine mediator.
- Babylon: Trees served as symbols in rituals dedicated to Nimrod, later deified as the sun god.
The Bible directly addresses this practice in;
Modern Christmas tree decorations mirror ancient pagan customs:
- Ornaments: The practice of decorating trees with silver and gold dates back to Babylonian rituals.
- Lights: Candles and lights represent the ancient worship of Nimrod.
- Star topper: Connected to celestial worship in ancient civilizations.
The tradition of bringing trees indoors emerged from these pagan practices. During the winter solstice, people would cut trees and bring them into their homes as part of religious ceremonies. This custom persisted through various cultures and time periods, eventually becoming integrated into Christian celebrations.
The Evolution of Tree Decorations
Ancient decorative practices have transformed into modern traditions:
- Tinsel: Represents the divine spark or light of the gods.
- Glass balls: Originally symbolized the sun god.
- Garlands: Mimic serpentine shapes from ancient mythology.
These decorative elements carried spiritual significance in pagan worship ceremonies. The practice of "decking" trees with precious metals and ornaments served as a form of devotion to various deities.
Today's Christmas tree traditions maintain these decorative customs while largely disconnecting from their original religious meanings.
The commercialization of Christmas trees in the 1800s standardized these practices:
- Mass-produced ornaments replaced handmade decorations.
- Artificial trees emerged as alternatives to cut trees.
- Electric lights replaced traditional candles.
The transformation of these ancient customs into modern holiday traditions demonstrates how pagan symbols have been absorbed into contemporary celebrations. These practices continue to evolve, creating new meanings while preserving ancient forms of celebration.
The Influence of Roman Festivals on Christmas Traditions
The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia stands as a direct predecessor to many modern Christmas customs. This week-long celebration, originally spanning December 17-19 before extending to a full week, shared striking similarities with today's Christmas festivities.
Key Elements of Saturnalia:
- Gift-giving between citizens
- Public celebrations and singing
- Elaborate feasts and gatherings
- Temporary reversal of social roles
- Decorating with greenery
The Romans celebrated Saturnalia with remarkable enthusiasm, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that would feel familiar to modern celebrants.
During this period, normal social boundaries dissolved, and the usual order of Roman society turned upside down. Slaves could speak freely to their masters, and citizens from all social classes participated in the festivities together.
Constantine, the Roman Emperor, played a pivotal role in merging these pagan traditions with Christian celebrations around 325 CE. His strategic decision aimed to unite pagans and Christians under a single religious umbrella. The pagans could maintain their traditional celebrations while adopting Christian elements, creating a hybrid festival that evolved into modern Christmas.
The Christmas Tree Connection
The tradition of decorating trees has deep roots in Roman customs. According to historical records, Romans would adorn their homes with evergreen branches during Saturnalia. This practice carried specific religious significance:
"The Christmas tree now common among us was equally common in Pagan Rome and Pagan Egypt. In Egypt that tree was the palm tree, in Rome it was the fir."
The transformation of these ancient customs into Christian traditions wasn't immediate or straightforward. Early Christian leaders initially resisted these pagan practices, with historical figures like Tertullian expressing concern about Christians participating in these celebrations.
By 230 CE, the distinction between Christian and pagan celebrations had already begun to blur, leading to the complex tapestry of traditions we observe today.
The Roman influence extends beyond decorations and gift-giving. The practice of lighting candles, a common feature of modern Christmas celebrations, originated from Babylonian customs adopted by Romans. These candles held special significance in worship rituals, particularly in honoring various deities during winter festivals.
Modern Traditions with Ancient Origins
The Christmas Tree: A Representation of Idol Worship
The Christmas tree, a central figure in contemporary holiday festivities, has its origins in ancient pagan customs. It is believed that this practice originated in ancient societies such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Romans, who regarded certain trees as sacred.
For instance, palm trees were used by the Egyptians as decorations in their homes, and the Romans offered fir trees to their deities.
The Bible explicitly condemns this practice in Jeremiah 10:1-4.
These ancient societies attributed mystical meanings to these embellished trees:
- In Egypt, the palm tree symbolized their pagan savior, Baal-Tamar
- Rome's fir trees represented Baal-Berith
- The act of adorning with silver and gold was an offering to these deities
Candlelight Rituals: A Legacy of Babylonian Worship
Another cherished modern custom, the ritual of candlelight, finds its roots in Babylonian traditions. Candles played a vital role in pagan worship, particularly during winter celebrations when they honored their gods. These flames were regarded as sacred components of altar embellishments.
Parallels Between Ancient Practices and Contemporary Decorations
Today's Christmas adornments bear striking resemblances to these age-old customs:
- Tree Ornaments: Modern silver and gold decorations echo ancient pagan practices
- Star Toppers: Linked to celestial worship rituals
- Mistletoe: A plant revered in pre-Christian ceremonies
- Wreaths: Representations of eternal life in pagan beliefs
The commercialization of Christmas has transformed these religious symbols into widely accepted decorative motifs. Department stores now showcase extravagant tree displays, while artificial trees and mass-produced ornaments have supplanted the tradition of harvesting trees from forests.
Despite these modern changes, the fundamental aspects of these customs remain remarkably consistent with their ancient roots.
These traditions illustrate how deeply connected our present-day holiday celebrations are with historical pagan observances. The ceremonies that once venerated ancient gods now serve as familiar icons of seasonal merriment in households across the globe.
Criticism and Controversy Surrounding Our Celebration Of Christmas
The celebration of Christmas faces significant criticism from various Christian communities, particularly regarding its authenticity and pagan roots. The Bible itself presents compelling evidence against December 25th as Jesus' birth date:
- Shepherds were grazing flocks during Christ's birth—a practice not done in winter months
- The Roman census requiring travel would not have been conducted in harsh winter conditions
- Biblical scholars acknowledge the absence of any specific date mentioned in scripture
A striking passage from Jeremiah 10:1-4 directly addresses practices similar to modern Christmas celebrations.
Historical evidence reveals Constantine's strategic decision around 325 AD to merge Christian and pagan celebrations. This deliberate fusion aimed to:
- Increase nominal Christian adherents
- Appease pagans who celebrated Saturnalia
- Create a unified religious observance
The Christmas tree, a central symbol of modern celebrations, carries particularly controversial origins:
- In ancient Egypt: Represented by palm trees honoring Baal Tamar
- In Rome: Utilized fir trees symbolizing Baal Barith
- Both connected to sun god worship and pagan rituals
Many Christian communities struggle with reconciling these historical facts against contemporary celebrations. The commercialization of Christmas adds another layer of concern, as retail displays often prioritize secular symbols over religious significance.
Modern stores prominently feature Santa Claus, reindeer, and gift-giving while minimizing Christian elements.
This historical context creates a complex dilemma for believers: how to maintain religious authenticity while participating in deeply ingrained cultural traditions. Some choose complete abstention, others selective participation, while many embrace both aspects of the holiday.
Paradoxically, this conflict between cultural customs and religious convictions is something that is not only found in Christianity. It reverberates across different beliefs and traditions.
Consider these perspectives as to celebrate this pagan holiday or not:
- Historical awareness brings depth to modern pagan celebrations
- Each tradition carries stories from multiple cultures most of which are pagan in nature
- Knowledge empowers conscious choices in holiday observances
Conclusion
Today, Christmas has its importance and is regarded as a fond holiday for a lot of people, but we should also note that its starting points are in paganism, and even certain aspects of its modern-day celebration have a history.
The question of this holiday’s integrity and importance is raised every time people's orthodox traditions get intermingled with previously existing rituals. Therefore, as we discuss Christmas and its origins, I also want you to think about the consequences of celebrating a holiday that is purely based on paganism. It is within these traditions that one’s core values are lost, and with them, the potential to be a more honest version of yourself.
There are better alternatives than practicing this holiday. It's time we stop adhering to these pagan influences of Christmas and come together to practice a holiday that holds more value for us.
The story of Christmas—from ancient Babylon to today's global celebration—reminds us that there are indeed hidden secrets behind it, and it's purely pagan.
© 2024 Aboah Okyere
