"Keeping the Christ in Christmas"

[SivartM]

The phrase "keep the Christ in Christmas" always makes me think...

Is He trying to escape or something? Are we like guards standing at the door to the prison of Christmas so that Christ can't get out?

Why aren't we more concerned about keeping the Christ in Christians? At least the Bible actually talks about that.

[teresaq]

wow!! well laid my glory in the dust.

this is a "two-fer". :)

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I don't think the Bible even mentions the word "Christianity".

I don't see anything wrong with using the "Keep Christ in Christmas" theme..

[SivartM]

I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with it, but the widespread concern about keeping Christ in a holiday that He didn't even invent is sort of... interesting. And the mental picture of Him trying to escape is amusing.

And in Acts it says that the believers were first called Christians in Antioch, so it's there.

[bonnie]

I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with it, but the widespread concern about keeping Christ in a holiday that He didn't even invent is sort of... interesting. And the mental picture of Him trying to escape is amusing.

And in Acts it says that the believers were first called Christians in Antioch, so it's there.

Keeping "Christ in Christmas" is trying to keep it from being strictly a secular or material holiday.

Keeping the "Christ in Christian is the same "trying to keep Him from escaping the Christian

[phkrause]

I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with it, but the widespread concern about keeping Christ in a holiday that He didn't even invent is sort of... interesting. And the mental picture of Him trying to escape is amusing.

And in Acts it says that the believers were first called Christians in Antioch, so it's there.

Some good points Sivart, but I think many are concerned that we are slowing replacing christmas with material things instead of celebrating christmas for the person that it was intended for, which would be the birth of Jesus (even though we know that this is not the real time of his birth). I see more celebrating of Santa Claus and all his jollyness instead of what it was intended for, those are my thoughts. So hope all had a very beautiful "Christ" day.

pk

[Steve Billiter]

Originally Posted By: SivartM

I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with it, but the widespread concern about keeping Christ in a holiday that He didn't even invent is sort of... interesting. And the mental picture of Him trying to escape is amusing.

And in Acts it says that the believers were first called Christians in Antioch, so it's there.

Keeping "Christ in Christmas" is trying to keep it from being strictly a secular or material holiday.

Keeping the "Christ in Christian is the same "trying to keep Him from escaping the Christian

Keeping Christ in Christmas is certainly possible individually,but corporately or on a national basis, it seems impossible.

Since December 25th has pagan origins as a holy-day regarding the winter solstice, there could be a power trying to make a suspect connection to Christ with negative connotations.

It appears to me that associations with consumerism; some 0f which is selfishness, does not bode well for Jesus and the Bible or true spirituality.

Then there is of course the "party" spirit, most of whom imbibe spirits in bottles that can become voices in the mind. Of course that is another whole topic.

It is certainly possible for the faithful to open the beginning chapters of Luke, and freely discuss the advent of baby Jesus as the human manifestation of the Worlds Redeemer

[bonnie]

Quote:

Keeping Christ in Christmas is certainly possible individually,but corporately or on a national basis, it seems impossible.

Corporate or national is not something we are accountable for. That happens with any holiday

Quote:

Since December 25th has pagan origins as a holy-day regarding the winter solstice, there could be a power trying to make a suspect connection to Christ with negative connotations.

Can't speak for others but my family understands that Dec 25th

was not the birth date of Christ.

Quote:

It appears to me that associations with consumerism; some 0f which is selfishness, does not bode well for Jesus and the Bible or true spirituality.

It is up to individuals what they make of christmas . We associate with consumerism and selfishness every day. Every holiday is consumerism. As to... does not bode well for Jesus and the Bible or true spirituality. it depends on how it is celebrated. True that many go into debt and buy what they cannot afford but they do that all year long.

It is a day our family always has looked forward to. Presents are secondary.

Quote:

Then there is of course the "party" spirit, most of whom imbibe spirits in bottles that can become voices in the mind. Of course that is another whole topic.

That is more likely to be associated with the New Years parties than Christmas,and again they do that all year long at every holiday that gives them an excuse

Quote:

It is certainly possible for the faithful to open the beginning chapters of Luke, and freely discuss the advent of baby Jesus as the human manifestation of the Worlds Redeemer

I think it is entirely possible for the faithful to enjoy christmas.

Most people do not associate christmas with a pagan holiday and have not for generations.

It is a time tho that many that don't give Christ a thought day to day do so during the christmas holiday.

It is a great time to share with those that maybe are going with out.

[phkrause]

Quote:

Keeping Christ in Christmas is certainly possible individually,but corporately or on a national basis, it seems impossible.

Corporate or national is not something we are accountable for. That happens with any holiday

Quote:

Since December 25th has pagan origins as a holy-day regarding the winter solstice, there could be a power trying to make a suspect connection to Christ with negative connotations.

Can't speak for others but my family understands that Dec 25th

was not the birth date of Christ.

Quote:

It appears to me that associations with consumerism; some 0f which is selfishness, does not bode well for Jesus and the Bible or true spirituality.

It is up to individuals what they make of christmas . We associate with consumerism and selfishness every day. Every holiday is consumerism. As to... does not bode well for Jesus and the Bible or true spirituality. it depends on how it is celebrated. True that many go into debt and buy what they cannot afford but they do that all year long.

It is a day our family always has looked forward to. Presents are secondary.

Quote:

Then there is of course the "party" spirit, most of whom imbibe spirits in bottles that can become voices in the mind. Of course that is another whole topic.

That is more likely to be associated with the New Years parties than Christmas,and again they do that all year long at every holiday that gives them an excuse

Quote:

It is certainly possible for the faithful to open the beginning chapters of Luke, and freely discuss the advent of baby Jesus as the human manifestation of the Worlds Redeemer

I think it is entirely possible for the faithful to enjoy christmas.

Most people do not associate christmas with a pagan holiday and have not for generations.

It is a time tho that many that don't give Christ a thought day to day do so during the christmas holiday.

It is a great time to share with those that maybe are going with out.

Very good points Bonnie.

pk

[Kountzer]

The same emotional tie to blind tradition that keeps the majority believing that Sunday is the day of worship is also present in the whole christmas holiday issue. And the same reason it is hard to fully recognize Sunday as the sabbath is the same reason why it is hard to keep Christ in Christmas. It is because they are both pagan in origin. How can you keep Christ in Christmas when it wasn't about Him in the first place? Think about it, if the Lord mandated in His word he wanted everyone to remember to dress up our houses and the x-mas tree with lights, then go out and make budget breaking gift purchases, we would not do it.

Still, it is not realistic to think that christmas is going anywhere soon.

This discussion, or others like it come up every year about this time.

[Steve Billiter]

Quote:

Keeping Christ in Christmas is certainly possible individually,but corporately or on a national basis, it seems impossible.

Corporate or national is not something we are accountable for. That happens with any holiday

I never said it was.

Quote:

Since December 25th has pagan origins as a holy-day regarding the winter solstice, there could be a power trying to make a suspect connection to Christ with negative connotations.

Can't speak for others but my family understands that Dec 25th

was not the birth date of Christ.

I think most Christians do understand that.

Quote:

It appears to me that associations with consumerism; some 0f which is selfishness, does not bode well for Jesus and the Bible or true spirituality.

It is up to individuals what they make of christmas . We associate with consumerism and selfishness every day. Every holiday is consumerism. As to... does not bode well for Jesus and the Bible or true spirituality. it depends on how it is celebrated. True that many go into debt and buy what they cannot afford but they do that all year long.

It is a day our family always has looked forward to. Presents are secondary.

Christmas and New Years day has the distinctions of being high feasting and partying days. Much drunkenness and carousing as well as gluttony occur, perhaps at higher rates than any other "holiday." Connections are made in the mind whether one even realizes it or not associating Christmas, Jesus, and all that it involves with gross immorality.. It may be easier for the committed Christian to avoid these pitfalls as one should 24/7/365 days a years anyway. Not so for the unconverted.

How is faith established?

Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

A check of the liquor sellers receipts for Christmas may reveal it is probably second only to New Years Day.Of course we must not forget the 4th of July!

Jer 22:13 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

Those who are struggling against the power of appetite should be instructed in the principles of healthful living. They should be shown that violation of the laws of health, by creating diseased conditions and unnatural cravings, lays the foundation of the liquor habit. Only by living in obedience to the principles of health can they hope to be freed from the craving for unnatural stimulants. While they depend upon divine strength to break the bonds of appetite, they are to co-operate with God by obedience to His laws, both moral and physical. {MH 176.4}

Quote:

Then there is of course the "party" spirit, most of whom imbibe spirits in bottles that can become voices in the mind. Of course that is another whole topic.

That is more likely to be associated with the New Years parties than Christmas,and again they do that all year long at every holiday that gives them an excuse

When I was a drunk, Christmas was as good a holiday as any to tie one on.

Quote:

It is certainly possible for the faithful to open the beginning chapters of Luke, and freely discuss the advent of baby Jesus as the human manifestation of the Worlds Redeemer

I think it is entirely possible for the faithful to enjoy christmas.

Most people do not associate christmas with a pagan holiday and have not for generations.

It is a time tho that many that don't give Christ a thought day to day do so during the christmas holiday.

It is a great time to share with those that maybe are going with out.

my point is not to cast stones at individuals, but to present an overview of the holiday season in general.

"Most people do not associate christmas with a pagan holiday and have not for generations.

It is a time tho that many that don't give Christ a thought day to day do so during the christmas holiday."

I cannot understand how you can speak for "most people." It amazes me that someone can do that when there is almost 7 billion people in the world! You could be right though, but there's no way to really prove it worldwide. Nationally perhaps with a poll.

An association with paganism and xmas is what the devil would like to avoid I'm sure. He works best when his deceptions go unnoticed. He really loves it when folks don't believe he exists. That means they do not accept the Bible as authoritative. Bonnie you can see I need to learn how do respond to individual quotes. Some of my replies are up "there."

God Bless! Steve

[bonnie]

Quote:

I never said it was.

You included those two with your disapproval of Christmas

I think most Christians do understand that.

Quote:

Christmas and New Years day has the distinctions of being high feasting and partying days. Much drunkenness and carousing as well as gluttony occur, perhaps at higher rates than any other "holiday." Connections are made in the mind whether one even realizes it or not associating Christmas, Jesus, and all that it involves with gross immorality.. It may be easier for the committed Christian to avoid these pitfalls as one should 24/7/365 days a years anyway. Not so for the unconverted.

Holidays give many a excuse to drink,not making them do so.Memorial Day as a holiday can boast of a lot of drinking.My sisters were killed by a drunk on that day.As for associating drinking with Christmas you are quite wrong,I do not. New Years,yes

Quote:

How is faith established?

Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I am not quite sure what the above statements have to do with this.

Quote:

A check of the liquor sellers receipts for Christmas may reveal it is probably second only to New Years Day.Of course we must not forget the 4th of July!

I am sorry,I don't believe that to be true. Most people are at home with families during Christmas

Quote:

Jer 22:13 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

I have no idea what this is to mean concerning Christmas.

Your understanding does not make my understanding unrighteous

Quote:

Those who are struggling against the power of appetite should be instructed in the principles of healthful living. They should be shown that violation of the laws of health, by creating diseased conditions and unnatural cravings, lays the foundation of the liquor habit. Only by living in obedience to the principles of health can they hope to be freed from the craving for unnatural stimulants. While they depend upon divine strength to break the bonds of appetite, they are to co-operate with God by obedience to His laws, both moral and physical. {MH 176.4}

I fail to understand how enjoying Christmas may lead my family to drink.

Those that are so opposed to consumerism do have a type of consumerism God would endorse I think.

A friend of mine knits hats and mittens all year long for the homeless to receive.

Large grocery stores and other places of business have a large undecorated tree. Stars made out of construction paper have ages and needs written on the back. Great way to put Christ back in Christian. Most churches I know have a list of needy families.Women's shelters need items as many women come with nothing but what they and their children are wearing.

Quote:

When I was a drunk, Christmas was as good a holiday as any to tie one on.

causing a lot of drinking.For those that it does it is a excuse not a cause

[phkrause]

The same emotional tie to blind tradition that keeps the majority believing that Sunday is the day of worship is also present in the whole christmas holiday issue. And the same reason it is hard to fully recognize Sunday as the sabbath is the same reason why it is hard to keep Christ in Christmas. It is because they are both pagan in origin. How can you keep Christ in Christmas when it wasn't about Him in the first place? Think about it, if the Lord mandated in His word he wanted everyone to remember to dress up our houses and the x-mas tree with lights, then go out and make budget breaking gift purchases, we would not do it.

Still, it is not realistic to think that christmas is going anywhere soon.

This discussion, or others like it come up every year about this time.

Good points Kountzer. But at the same time there those of us, even though we know that Christ was not born at this time of year, enjoy the season for what we make it. And that is to praise the birth of our Lord and Savior.

pk

[Steve Billiter]

i reject the holiday of Christmas and I'm a 7th day adventist. The birth of Jesus does not have anything to do with it. It was started in 324 AD, from the paganism that preformed the Romish church. As a winter solstice celebration.

I think the Jehovah's Witnesses are correct upon this view. Just because pagans said 1800 years ago to make it a holy-day does not mean I will. If we love Jesus we will worship Him is Spirit and in truth. Christmas day is not valid, but I don't knock those who see otherwise.

[John317]

I think Ellen White had the right idea on this. In our family we make it a day for bringing attention to Christ.

I think the Jehovah Witnesses take it too far: they don't celebrate it at all, nor birthdays. In fact, if you are a JW, you will be disciplined and even disfellowshipped for doing either of those things.

[bonnie]

Quote:

i reject the holiday of Christmas and I'm a 7th day adventist. The birth of Jesus does not have anything to do with it. It was started in 324 AD, from the paganism that preformed the Romish church. As a winter solstice celebration.

Any that attended our schools is quite familiar with your statement above.

You are certainly free to reject anything you choose. Originally it had nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Over generations that has shifted. For some it is a fun filled holiday,not even having anything to do with the winter solstice. Just a time for family ,friends and gifts.

Others do focus their celebrating on the birth of Christ and celebrate this with family and gifts.

I can't think of any that were celebrating winter solstice

Quote:

I think the Jehovah's Witnesses are correct upon this view. Just because pagans said 1800 years ago to make it a holy-day does not mean I will. If we love Jesus we will worship Him is Spirit and in truth. Christmas day is not valid, but I don't knock those who see otherwise.

You keep interjecting statements that have not been voiced by anyone and then argue against it.

Christmas is not a holy day for everyone that celebrates the christmas season.

No one here has argued that the 25th of Dec is the day Christ was born. You keep saying it is not valid.

This is pretty well known at least among those I know.

[Woody]

I'm not a pagan so I don't obey what they claim is there's. I take it and use it for good.

[Woody]

All SDA who believe in EGW as our prophet should be observing Christmas as she told us to do.

[Steve Billiter]

Bonnie, .I'm sorry to hear of your sisters, thats a terrible tragedy.I'm in college to get a masters degree in substance abuse counseling, I pray I can make a difference with God's help.

Because you don't associate Christmas with drinking means zilch. ask a million drunks if they do.

If you ask a hundred liquor stores when they make their biggest sales, it will be the current week, which is now.

Most people are at home with families? What percentage of those are drinking at home with their families?

you said.

Your understanding does not make my understanding unrighteous

Here we get into problems.No one said anything about your morality, nor was it implied. I have seldom in my life seen a stretch of this magnitude. You have not said if you drink or not. I'm assuming, and have assumed you do not, unless you tell me different.

I fail to understand how enjoying Christmas may lead my family to drink.

Another wild stretch. What are you thinking? Are you not able to discern when someone is making general statements about society, not to you or your family?

They would be a little surprised to learn they "might not accept the bible as authoritative"

Heres another one. You take a general comment I made that has nothing to do with your kids, and apply it to them specifically. I Just don't know what to say. Nothing is best I think, I'm not even going to attempt to figure this out.

God Bless! Steve

[Woody]

As a former Alcohol and Drug Counselor ... I can tell you that Drinking is a big test to addictions during the holidays.

[Steve Billiter]

Are there pagans on this forum? Is there an SDA pagan offshoot?

We had one in my Philosophy 210 class last semester.There seemed to be a whole coven of them gathering in the student center, but I didn't ask them what they did for Christmas, way too much information for me.

[Woody]

This is off topic. Those who participate in it will be subject to banning. Please take it to PMs.

[Steve Billiter]

i would love to read how our prophet said to celebrate Christmas.

Someone please post that!

[Woody]

This is a start. But there is much more ...

http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=889

The Observance of Christmas

ver the past few years, the Adventist Review has received several letters and e-mails from church members asking about the appropriateness of Christians celebrating Christmas. This year, the Adventist Review presents a selection of the Ellen G. White writings on Christmas that offers guidance and counsel on the topic. The document was compiled by the Biblical Research Institute, based at the General Conference.

I. What Is Christmas?

CHRISTMAS is coming,” is the note that is sounded throughout our world from East to West and from North to South. With youth, those of mature age, and even the aged, it is a period of general rejoicing, of great gladness. But what is Christmas, that it should demand so much attention? This day has been made much of for centuries. It is accepted by the unbelieving world, and by the Christian world generally, as the day on which Christ was born. When the world at large celebrate the day, they show no honor to Christ. They refuse to acknowledge him as their Saviour, to honor him by willing obedience to his service. They show preference to the day, but none to the one for whom the day is celebrated, Jesus Christ.

II. Christ’s Birthday Not Known

The twenty-fifth of December is supposed to be the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and its observance has become customary and popular. But yet there is no certainty that we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour’s birth. History gives us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not give us the precise time. Had the Lord deemed this knowledge essential to our salvation, he would have spoken through his prophets and apostles, that we might know all about the matter. . . .

There is no divine sanctity resting upon the twentyfifth of December; and it is not pleasing to God that anything that concerns the salvation of man through the infinite sacrifice made for them, should be so sadly perverted from its professed design. Christ should be the supreme object; but as Christmas has been observed, the glory is turned from him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective character made it necessary for him to come to our world.

III. The Wonderful Theme of the Incarnation

Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, the royal King of heaven, laid aside his royalty, left his throne of glory, his high command, and came into our world to bring to fallen men, weakened in moral power, and corrupted by sin, aid divine. He clothed his divinity with humanity, that he might reach to the very depths of human woe and misery, to lift up fallen man. By taking upon himself man’s nature, he raised humanity in the scale of moral value with God. These great themes are almost too high, too deep, too infinite, for the comprehension of finite minds.

IV. The Gift Season for God’s Cause

Parents should keep these things before their children, and instruct them, line upon line, precept upon precept, in their obligation to God,—not their obligation to each other, to honor and glorify one another by gifts and offerings. But they should be taught that Jesus is the world’s Redeemer, the object of thought, of painstaking effort; that his work is the grand theme which should engage their attention; that they should bring to him their gifts and offerings. Thus did the wise men and the shepherds.

V. A Day of Gladness and Rejoicing

As the twenty-fifth day of December is observed to commemorate the birth of Christ, as the children have been instructed by precept and example that this was indeed a day of gladness and rejoicing, you will find it a difficult matter to pass over this period without giving it some attention. It can be made to serve a very good purpose.

The youth should be treated very carefully. They should not be left on Christmas to find their own amusement in vanity and pleasure-seeking, in amusements which will be detrimental to their spirituality. Parents can control this matter by turning the minds and the offerings of their children to God and his cause and the salvation of souls.

VI. Not to Be Ignored With Children

The desire for amusement, instead of being quenched and arbitrarily ruled down, should be controlled and directed by painstaking effort upon the part of the parents. Their desire to make gifts may be turned into pure and holy channels, and made to result in good to our fellow-men by supplying the treasury in the great, grand work for which Christ came into our world. Self-denial and self-sacrifice marked his course of action. Let it mark ours who profess to love Jesus; because in him is centered our hope of eternal life.

Youth cannot be made as sedate and grave as old age, the child as sober as the sire. While sinful amusements are condemned, as they should be, let parents, teachers, and guardians of youth provide in their stead innocent pleasures, which shall not taint or corrupt the morals. Do not bind down the young to rigid rules and restraints that will lead them to feel themselves oppressed and to break over and rush into paths of folly and destruction. With a firm, kindly, considerate hand, hold the lines of government, guiding and controlling their minds and purposes, yet so gently, so wisely, so lovingly, that they still will know that you have their best good in view. . . .

VII. The Emblem of the Evergreen

On Christmas, so soon to come, let not the parents take the position that an evergreen placed in the church for the amusement of the Sabbath-school scholars is a sin; for it may be made a great blessing. Keep before their minds benevolent objects. In no case should mere amusement be the object of these gatherings. While there may be some who will turn these occasions into seasons of careless levity, and whose minds will not receive the divine impress, to other minds and characters these seasons will be highly beneficial. I am fully satisfied that innocent substitutes can be devised for many gatherings that demoralize.

Christmas is coming. May you all have wisdom to make it a precious season. Let the older church members unite, heart and soul, with their children in this innocent amusement and recreation, in devising ways and means to show true respect to Jesus by bringing to him gifts and offerings. Let everyone remember the claims of God. His cause cannot go forward without your aid. Let the gifts you have usually bestowed upon one another be placed in the Lord’s treasury. . . .

In every church let your smaller offerings be placed upon your Christmas tree. Let the precious emblem, “evergreen,” suggest the holy work of God and his beneficence to us; and the loving heart-work will be to save other souls who are in darkness. Let your works be in accordance with your faith. . . . Let there be recorded in the heavenly books such a Christmas as has never yet been seen, because of the donations which shall be given for the sustaining of the work of God and the up building of his kingdom. —Review and HeraId, Dec. 9, 1884.

VIII. Interchange of Holiday Gifts

The holiday season is fast approaching with its interchange of gifts, and old and young are intently studying what they can bestow upon their friends as a token of affectionate remembrance. It is pleasant to receive a gift, however small, from those we love. It is an assurance that we are not forgotten, and seems to bind us to them a little closer.

IX. Making Melody and Praising God

Brethren and sisters, while you are devising gifts or one another, I would remind you of our heavenly Friend, lest you should be unmindful of his claims. Will he not be pleased if we show that we have not forgotten him? Jesus, the Prince of Life, gave all to bring salvation within our reach. . . .

It is through Christ that we receive every blessing. . . . Shall not our heavenly Benefactor share in the tokens of our gratitude and love? Come, brethren and sisters, come with your children, even the babes in your arms, and bring your offerings to God according to your ability. Make melody to him in your hearts, and let his praise be upon your lips. . . .

X. Not Forgetting God

While urging upon all the duty of first bringing their offerings to God, I would not wholly condemn the practice of making Christmas and New Years gifts to our friends. It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best friend. We should make our gifts such as will prove a real benefit to the receiver.

--Ibid., Dec. 26, 1882.

[Steve Billiter]

Quote:

i reject the holiday of Christmas and I'm a 7th day adventist. The birth of Jesus does not have anything to do with it. It was started in 324 AD, from the paganism that preformed the Romish church. As a winter solstice celebration.

Any that attended our schools is quite familiar with your statement above.

You are certainly free to reject anything you choose. Originally it had nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Over generations that has shifted. For some it is a fun filled holiday,not even having anything to do with the winter solstice. Just a time for family ,friends and gifts.

Others do focus their celebrating on the birth of Christ and celebrate this with family and gifts.

I can't think of any that were celebrating winter solstice

Quote:

I think the Jehovah's Witnesses are correct upon this view. Just because pagans said 1800 years ago to make it a holy-day does not mean I will. If we love Jesus we will worship Him is Spirit and in truth. Christmas day is not valid, but I don't knock those who see otherwise.

You keep interjecting statements that have not been voiced by anyone and then argue against it.

Christmas is not a holy day for everyone that celebrates the christmas season.

No one here has argued that the 25th of Dec is the day Christ was born. You keep saying it is not valid.

This is pretty well known at least among those I know.

http://answers.wikia.com/wiki/Do_Pagans_celebrate_Christmas

Paganism is a term that refers collectively to the Indigenous, pre-Christian cultures and spiritual traditions of Europe, some of which have survived into the present, while others are being reconstructed or revived in modern times. In fact, Pagans were represented at the recentParliament of the World's Religions.

The most important date in the festive season for Pagans is the winter solstice which always takes place around December 21. CalledYule, it is one of the traditional Celtic fire festivals and marks the return of the light after the longest night of the year.

The term of Pagan covers Wiccans, followers of the Northern Tradition who base their beliefs on Norse and old northern European beliefs, and also Druidism.

The occasion of Christmas falling on 25 December was in fact a hijacking of a Roman Festival, that of Sol Invictus, the celebration of the Sun. Christ was called the Son of Justice, so the early Church moved the feast of the Epiphany (manifestation of God) to 25 December to celebrate the birth of the Son of Justice.

The Christmas Tree comes from a pre-Christian tradition in Germany, and is called the Yule Tree. A roaring fire is often shown at Christmas. A roaring fire is a great way to celebrate Christmas, but the Yule log is really a Wiccan tradition. The Yule log is a traditional representation of the rebirth of the God by the Goddess.

Wiccans celebrate Christmas in many of the traditional ways. Many of them meet and stand in a circle, cast the four directions and give thanks to The Goddess. Then they cast spells and light candles of various colours for health, happiness, safety and just about every other worthy thing. Then they give each other gifts.