December 22, 2002
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I do not desire to be offensive, and yet I wish to be truthful, and I know that the truth offends many people. If you are one of those people, get out of here while the getting is good, because I’ve been considering a dose of Christmas truth for several days, and this comment on my last blog has triggered the decision to go ahead and dish it out:
If you celebrate Christmas, it should be good enough of a reason to indulge yourself with good food.
Posted 12/22/2002 at 1:58 pm by shabbychic
If the writer, by “indulge” meant to nurture and care for myself, and meant by “good food”, the sort of healthy, non-addictive, non-allergenic things on my diet, then I’ve totally misread that comment and the end result is that it is a specious reason for indulging my impulse to tell the story of Christmas the way it really is.
As I interpret it, that comment is a facile attempt to give me (and by extension, the writer’s own self) permission to cheat on my diet, cheat on my health, and act in accord with most holiday revelers by feasting. This might not be too harmful to some of you. To me, it could be the beginning of the slide into terminal illness. No, thanks.
That’s one of the BIG ways that religion in general sucks: holidays, HOLY days, that self-indulgent celebrants turn into excuses for eating too much, drinking too much… you know how it goes. Would a loving God want his followers glutting themselves into gout, GERD, heart attacks and diabetes? Would your personal god want you to get drunk, make a fool of yourself, do things you’ll be embarrassed to hear about later? How about blunting your higher reasoning and loosening your inhibitions to the point that you’re functioning on your reptilian brain, so you hurt people and alienate those important to you? Not mine… my God wants me to take care of myself and those I love (which, when I get right down to it, is EVERYONE).
I do celebrate Christmas, but I know that the Mass of Christ that is held in December is not the anniversary of the birth of Jeshua ben Joseph, the Nazarene who embodied the Christos on Earth. This holiday season we are celebrating the Roman Saturnalia, which the early church fathers co-opted (as they did the Festival of Ishtar or “Easter” in spring) because it was already there, being celebrated by the very heathens they hoped to convert.
This December 25th is not going to be the 2002nd birthday of baby Jesus. When Joseph took Mary on the donkey to Bethlehem, it was because the Roman governor ordered it. The emperor had ordered him to take a census. That census was held during the summer of the year (in our Gregorian calendar) 4 BC. Check it out. Don’t take my word for it, or that of anyone else. The Romans kept records. Historians and scholars of the Bible know this, and I’ve never been able to understand why none of the churches seems to want to set the record straight. Apparently it is just one of those things the priesthoods think it’s better for the common laity not to know.
I know Christ. I live much of the time in communion with the Spirit of Truth. I know people who knew the Master when he walked the Earth (I think I must have been busy elsewhere at the time, because I don’t recall Him myself) and they confirm my view of Him as a loving, compassionate person who valued the essence of things, not appearances. He wouldn’t have eaten more than his fill at a feast. He would have eaten what he needed and given the rest to those who had less. I have a hard time even imagining Him drunk.
With His inspired example to guide me, this week I will celebrate his birth along with the common herd (“Render unto Caesar…” he said. He saw some value in following social forms and political rules.) Then, as usual, next summer around the Leo/Virgo cusp, along with a smaller group of people, I will celebrate His 2007th birthday.
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P.S. If you’re offended, you were warned, and now you will be even more offended. Remember, it is equally spiritually unevolved to take offense as it is to give it.
P.P.S. (Mon., 12/23/2002) My dates were questioned, and in trying to find supporting documents online, I’ve found conflicting dates. 4 BC is in several sources. Another source says the Roman Census was held in 8 BC, except for Herod’s part, which was a year later in 7 BC. I think the conflicts could be due to the calendrical reforms that have taken place in the last few millennia. So, in consequence, I’m not sure which birthday I’ll be celebrating next August, but I’ve yet to find a source that disputes August as the month.
Comments (34)
I remember having read that somewhere. But then a lot of Christian holidays are based on Pagan, so it doesn’t surprise me about Christmas not being in December.
I think there are a lot of truths out there that people don’t know. Either because they don’t want to find out or have been lead down a path they believe is right and have no reason to research what they do know.
Cool blog.
Great blog! I really don’t have much to add hehe.
Raven
I am not offended!
~ A quick check of the ephemeris shows Mars in Libra w/ your Moon and Venus. Love (Venus) or fire? Fire is home (Moon)??? Uranus trine (free to feel this way).??
VM! My job, not just here, but in innumerable camps, at the sacred circle, the cook-and-talk fire behind the booths at the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival, is to tend the fire. I’m attuned to the fire. The sounds in the woodstove wake me at night when it’s time to stoke it.
Verrry interesting.
Susu, I think you misinterpreted my comment. I really meant well, but I guessed don’t always say what I meant.
OK, I reread my comment and I just realized how many grammatical errors I had typed. So here it is SuSu: I think you misinterpreted my comment. I really meant well, but I guess I don’t always say what I mean. But wow, you wrote a blog based on my comment. Thanks for the honor. ; )
What is there to be offended by? You speak the truth, after all. I was told those same facts in a college religions class. That was the first I had ever heard of it. I always found the story of Jesus’ birth, both fact and fiction, fascinating. I want to know the details, what was going on, other then the angels and shepards and such.
I love the way you write your tales, I can almost hear what your voice sounds like….more so when you’re a bit annoyed.
That was all way too confusing for my very full brain! LOL Im feeling a little like Pooh bear at the moment.
I hope your enjoying your holiday!
awesome blog susu no offense here i have never ever been able to buy into any of the catholic or christian dogma ..i totally can believe what you are saying…and understand it.. ..and thanks for the info … i had heard of it before but not in such detail
B.
I am far from offended and this was truly thought provoking. I want to thank you for coming to my site and leaving such a sweet comment and thank you for subbing. I will be sure to come back to yours. I see that I will enjoy my stay here for it is a good dose of thinking medicine and there is nothing like good food for thought
Have a safe and wonderful holiday whatever you do.
~Blessed Be and Best Wishes~
~Diana~
Great blog! I too knew that the Christmas and Easter were based on the Pagan celebrations, but again, not in as much detail. I agree too with your thoughts about Christ and overindulgences in general, but surely not as a means of celebrating Christ’s bday regardless of what time of the year it is….excellent points as per usual. The minister at our Fellowship selected a lecture for our candlelight service along similar lines, how light and giving need not be restricted to once per year, nor have a high price tag. Love and time are the greatest gifts I think. Too bad we as a society are so programmed from childhood nowadays with all the glitter….ahhh well.
That was beautiful- thanks for sharing. I think you’ve found a wonderful way to acknowledge the holiday and you’ve let through a great message!
Blessings.
I appreciate your post, the candidness, openess, and truthfulness. After much study many years ago, and finding these truths, I was ostracized for my beliefs. It went to the point of ridicule and many people telling me how wrong I was (most of these people “heard” about my beliefs thru gossip and second hand, not by me). I didn’t try to change or convince anyone because of what I believed.
Tradition is a strong force. Breaking tradition is often equated with blasphemy. Commercialism makes traditions even stronger.
I used to ask people why they gave so many gifts to lots of people, and didn’t give anything to Christ whose b’day they are celebrating. Does that seem to be logical? Even if we try to follow the example set forth by the nativity, then we give the presents to the b’day celebrant, not the others attending.
Sorry about ranting. I just don’t find that many people that agree……and you mentioned it first, yeah! Thanks.
And IMHO, excess of anything is wrong, and probably harmful in some way.
I think what you said was put beautifully. When I was starting on my path, an Uncle sent a Catholic Priest to intervene-the Catholic Priest said to me exactly what you blogged about…
-M
I respect someone who tells the truth. So you’re my hero of the day!!
Kinda funny because my best friend and I had a conversation about the timing of Christmas with the actual birth of Jesus over the phone tonight. I’m glad someone else is out here shedding light on the whole story so that those who don’t know DO ^_^
Thanks for a great blog.
“That’s one of the BIG ways that religion in general sucks: holidays, HOLY days, that self-indulgent celebrants turn into excuses for eating too much, drinking too much… you know how it goes. ”
Guilty as charged ! Ah yes…I just cannot say no to the temptations of the holidays ! Good for you to be so strong !
Thank you for stopping by my site and for those kind true words. I am greatly appreciative
Why in the world would someone take offense to this entry?? I don’t know if I believe 110%, but there is validity in what you say, factual, you have faith in your words, and it was very interesting to read. You’re an amazing writer.
Haha, ever since my last post people have been informing me that Christmas isn’t Jesus’ birthday. It doesn’t really matter to me though. I was far from offended by your blog. But I have seen some really offensive stuff in the past few days (and believe me, I’m not easily offended). It’s a shame how many people want to act hateful at this time of year just to spite the Christian church. Not a lot of people realize that Jesus was opposed to religious dogma, and they’re just creating more of it in the opposite direction. Does that make any sense? Anyway… Merry Christmas!
Great blog. You mentioned that next year, you (and a smaller group of people) would be celebrating His 2007th birthday. You are far more educated on this subject than I – could you explain a little more about that – I mean, where did 2007th come from?
I have spent the past few years trying to separate fact from fiction, so I really appreciate this blog, and look forward to more insights from you.
Wow. Well put.
you’re a badass!
that blog did kick ass….as i don’t like the wonderful church that seems to have violated our wonderful ground full of fruitful history….it felt quite satisfying to see someone else fight the shackles of “the sanctified church”
Wonderful, accepting-but-not-conforming thoughts. I agree that waaaaaaaaaaaay too many people spread confusion and misunderstanding by not studying to see what is true and what is not true. I enjoy reading someone like you who thinks deeply and yet takes the time to express herself carefully and respectfully. Peace and joy, now and always!
These words say it all
“Would your personal god want you to get drunk, make a fool of yourself, do things you’ll be embarrassed to hear about later? How about blunting your higher reasoning and loosening your inhibitions to the point that you’re functioning on your reptilian brain, so you hurt people and alienate those important to you? Not mine… my God wants me to take care of myself and those I love (which, when I get right down to it, is EVERYONE).”
Kudos!
However you choose to pass this holiday season, I hope that you, Greyfox & Doug all have a blast.
My thoughts are with you all and my very best wishes for a wonderful 2003….
Ah love, could you and I with Him conspire
To grasp this sorry scheme of things entire,
Would not we shatter it to bits — and then
Re-mold it nearer to the heart’s desire!
And that’s exactly what’s been done over the centuries. You have inherited the remolding of history. Doesn’t say a heck of a lot for human desires, but, after all, it could have been worse. Christmas was made over into somethng for children, which is nice, for children are a heck of a lot closer to God than grownups generally are; but then, the grownup bullshit continuing, the commercial aspect assumed prominence. Given time and grownups, doesn’t this happen to pretty near everything? As with photogenics, much depends upon our approach.
Very thought-provoking…
I agree with your comments on using the holidays as an excuse to eat whatever you want. I’ve just lost more than 80 pounds. I’m not using ANY excuse to indulge and put any of that back on. I hate the way I feel after eating shit food. I’d much rather eat well.
Happy Holidays.
ah yes .. our dear Jeshua would roll over in his grave at all the crap associated with “christmas”
I just take what I want and leave the rest behind“`
I’ll take the ritual of singing together .. and sharing a festive meal with all the friends and loved ones who can gather .. of greeting folk with a special wish .. of holding the world as ONE in my heart at this time .. the bottom of the year .. when so many celebrate something!
SuSu .. yes .. the solstice is in our blood~
and I wish you love. and peace.
jude
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The dates issue is one that may never be settled to everyone’s satisfaction, but that’s nitpicking. Your point is valid and well taken. When we use the excuse of a “holiday” to behave in ways that are contrary to the values we profess, we need to take a hard look at ourselves. Kudos to you for this timely reminder.
People who read your site should be willing to respectfully disagree…even if they are offended.
onw word..whatever…have a very merry christmas doll!!
What you said,*nod**HUGS* Right on, Hon!! Prayers for you and yours through this time and the times to come….Love~Z