For the Pagans on here

[Whickerman]

As a Pagan I'm often asked what I do at Xmas. Do you get this a lot, and do you feel the need to explain that Xmas started as a Pagan festival, about midwinter, birth of the sun god etc etc etc? Or do you keep away from that and just explain that our feast day is the solstice?

[Octavius]

It is becoming a bit of an old clich� now that Christmas is only for Christians and that the Church stole a pagan festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus, blah de blah de blah. People bleating on about the �true meaning� of Christmas or those saying that if you ain�t religious you shouldn�t celebrate, or that its too �commershul� are our modern day Ebeneezer�s. If you want to do this and that, then do it. If you don�t then don�t. But don�t moan because someone else is doing it.

However you celebrate the festive season, I would just hope that you all have a jolly good time. Share some food and drinks with family and friends, maybe a present or two under the tree, and some Santa jollies and surprises for the children. Some of us will go to mass, some of us won�t, but whatever creed you follow or not, please don�t moan about everyone elses celebrations. It just makes you look bitter and jealous.

That ^^^ is aimed at no-one particular and although I am Christian, I share your philosophy of Christmas Whickerman and Ice Maiden. Isn�t THAT the true spirit of Christmas?

[brionon]

Gravitate-You should see a Doctor about your Goat obsession !

[jake-the-peg]

Isn't that the great thing about Christmas?

Because it's a rehashed pagan festival almost anyone can join in and celebrate.

A bit tricky if you're Jewish but you'd still be amazed how many turkeys magically appear in Kosher butcher shops at the end of December.

I think it's a miracle

[Silvercat]

I just wanted to say I enjoyed Whickerman's post of 19.12.07 Its a beautiful description of Paganism.

Im not personally sure about a God or Goddess as such but I certainly believe in a natural Life Force that sustains all that is good in this world. In my heart I worship, but I don't know quite what it is as yet. Some more contemplation required I think on this subject.

I believe Christmas transcends all religions, a time to be with friends and family and be at peace with the world.

[Octavius]

Crikey Jake, you are a bitter one. Not must festive cheer in your world is there. And thanks for rehashing the clich� I mentioned.

I do however welcome your acknowledgement that Christmas brings with it many miracles including those that transcend all religions and no religions. A time that everyone comes together for the greater good and has a wonderful time of sharing and caring. This might not be a miracle to many, but it is surely the sign of a progressive society of all denominations that seems to leave you out in the bitter cold wilderness.

[4GS]

jake-the-peg

There is a Jewish fesival celebrated in December

http://www.history.com/minisites/hanukkah

so why shouldn't they eat turkey?

[Hellyon]

I think the whole point of ANY winter celebration is for people to get together with family and friends and have a bit of a hooley in the dark short days of mid winter when it would otherwise be depressing. After all it is the time of the year when you can't grow things and you can't hunt so you might as well sit in your cave with your family and friends, tell stories, eat lots and try not to die of cold!

[beryllium]

Does that include....

us???

Happy Christmas :D xxx

[jno]

the point about the winter solstice is it's tied to a natural event - the shortest day, now things can only get better - which is something worth celebrating whatever your belief system might be - Christian, pagan, atheist, whatever. (Sadly, the way the planet actually works, it goes on being cold and wet for weeks even though the days are technically getting longer.)