Santa, Horus, and Phallic Trees: Debunking the Myths About Christmas

As Christmas approaches, people from a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds around the world will come together to celebrate the holiday that traditionally marks the birth of Christ. However, some people choose not to participate in these celebrations because they see Christmas as a pagan holiday that has been tainted by idolatry.

One of the most common reasons people give for not celebrating Christmas is that they believe certain aspects of the holiday, such as the figure of Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, and gift-giving, are rooted in pagan idolatry. However, it is important to note that the birth of Jesus is a real historical event recorded in the Bible. Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth in the form of a man and sacrificed himself on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of His people. Despite the pagan origins of some Christmas traditions, the celebration of Jesus' birth and the message of love and redemption that it brings still holds great significance for Christians.

There are also some claims that Jesus was invented from Egyptian mythology and that the god Horus shares similarities with Jesus. However, these claims are not supported by historical evidence and are simply not true. Jesus was a real person who lived in the Roman province of Judea (referred to by some as Palestine) during the Roman Empire, and there is no credible evidence to suggest that he was based on any other religious figure or myth. It's important to carefully consider the sources and validity of information before accepting it as true.

There is a claim that Christmas trees are phallic symbols with roots in pagan fertility rituals, but there is no evidence to support this. In fact, the use of Christmas trees can be traced back to the 16th century in Germany, where they were decorated with apples, nuts, and other items as a celebration of the holiday season. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees spread throughout Europe and eventually to other parts of the world, becoming an iconic part of Christmas celebrations. Despite the lack of evidence to support the idea that Christmas trees have any connection to pagan fertility rituals, they remain an important and meaningful symbol of the holiday for many people.

Whether or not you choose to put up a tree and celebrate some of the traditions around Christmas, remember that the most important part of Christmas is Christ. Without him, there would be no Christmas. It's important to be careful about emphasizing pagan ideas or traditions that contradict the biblical meaning of Christmas or interfere with worship of the one true God. However, we should also show grace in areas that do not.

In Romans 14:5-6, the Apostle Paul writes that Christians should not judge others for their decisions to celebrate or not celebrate certain holidays. The passage also suggests that individuals should make their own decisions about celebrating Christmas based on their own convictions. Essentially, Christians should not pass judgment on others based on their observance or non-observance of certain holidays. Instead, they should focus on their own relationship with God and be respectful of the convictions of others.

With that, I want to share with you my favorite Christmas videos from Lutheran Satire. Merry Christmas!