artist unatributed
Like a lot of people in the western world, I celebrate Christmas as a secularist. I don't consider myself a neo-pagan. Honestly, I don't consider myself a member of any religion, if Paganism is one. As if by nature, I reflect upon the Winter Solstice as the turning point from which the natural cycles of nature bring us back toward the light. From that perspective, it easy for me to understand and relate to how the pre-Christians celebrated in the way they did and how many of these traditions are still with us.
At Christmas, Christians are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ; a story I find fascinating and humbling, though there appears to be some historical proof that Jesus was not born in winter. Feel free to correct me on this, as I am not aversed to being corrected on these matters. I am, in fact, quite interested to hear various perspectives.
I honor and respect the various ways people celebrate holidays at this time of year. Though I am not Christian, I will, on my blogs, honor Christmas through the art I select. Just as I do with virtually everything else I am thinking about.
Look forward to beautiful madonna and manger scenes depicted by early Renaissance painters, along with images that may show magic, faeries and elves, some picture book art and whatever else I stumble upon.
Happy Winter Solstice
Happy Yule, Sphinx! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Winter Solstice! I don't think it really matters exactly when Jesus was born - the fact that he was born sometime, somewhere is good enough for me.
ReplyDeleteHappy winter solstice to you as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Mike's birthday (my son-in-law). I think it's a really nice day to celebrate one's birthday.
ReplyDeleteI don't think many people who know anything about anything really believe that Jesus was born on Dec.25th. It seems to be an arbitrary choice of days to celebrate. I know that Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate it, and some get rather huffy if you call it his birthday.
Whatever, whenever, it's a fun time to celebrate, and then there's "White Christmas" and all of that. Personally, I would much rather see it in more pleasant weather.
happy blessed solstice.
ReplyDeleteSolstice Greetings!
ReplyDeleteChristmas originally was an appropriation of the Roman Saturnalia, an orgy of sex, wine, and food. The only part of the original meaning of Christmas that our society officially sanctions is the orgy of food.
Thanks, all!
ReplyDeleteLibhom: "...an orgy of sex, wine and food" - they always get rid of the best stuff. Bastards! ;-)
winter solstice is a favorite of mine. it also was an ex and i anniversary. still think its the coolest anniversary date :P i really like how its the midpoint where the next days finally get longer.. :)
ReplyDelete