The Meaning of Christmas

How often does one hear the exhortation, "Let us remember the original meaning of Christmas"?

Well we are doing, aren't we?

The claim that it has something to do with the birthday of Jesus Christ is historically inaccurate. Even the astrologers who have considered the problem are in general agreement that Jesus was born around the cusp of Pisces and Aries. The fact is that the festival is many centuries older than Christianity.

The form of the festival most widely used in the First World is the roman Saturnalia, the celebration of Saturn, the God of Sowing. The feast was originally one day but was, over the centuries, extended to a week corresponding to the 17^th - 23^rd of December. Also in this period is the Celtic Yuletide festival at the Winter solstice on the 21^st - 22^nd of December. Add into this the "Saint" Mithras which appears to be based upon the Persian Mitra (the go-between or saviour between heaven {Ahura Mazda} and mankind) whose birthday was celebrated on the 25^th of December and we have pulled most of the strands together.

The similarities between the stories of Mithras and Jesus are so striking that it is difficult not to give credence to the claim that the Jesus story was borrowed from the older Mithras'. Mithras was widely known in Rome at the time that the early Christian church was trying to establish its' dominance. This further supports the claim that the Church "borrowed" not only the Saturnalia from the Romans but also much of the story of Christ itself.

This same feast is also celebrated in other yet older cultures - the Jewish Hanukkah, the Hindu Diwali and others. The dates of these vary and do not always coincide with the dates of Christmas.

So we see that this annual festival is one which transcends all cultural and religious boundaries. Universally, it is one in which normal class barriers are removed, licentiousness is condoned, presents are exchanged and everyone enjoys a party. The question to be answered is, "Is this a necessary safety valve or a social experiment to see what happens when the "norms" are relaxed?" Could it be that it is both and that is why the festival is constantly changing and evolving?

This annual feast is a celebration of the unity of mankind and a coming together of all peoples. It is a time when, not only traditionally but also practically, enmities are laid to one side and all seek after peace and harmony.

We're in there somewhere.

Merry Christmas, Saturnalia, Diwali, Hanukkah and whatever else it's called wherever you are.

Karma Singh
Managing Director
Harmony United Ltd.
London

24^th December 2006