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Here’s why I do not wish you have a Merry Christmas

News

Forgive me for being rude; I do not wish you have a Merry Christmas. And this is why. Saturn was an ancient god of Sowing for Romans. (Notice the spelling of Saturn.) He ruled and blessed the Romans, and ensured their crops did well. For Satus sowing in Roman.

 Every year, after sowing, Romans will gather to celebrate Saturn in a feast they called Saturnalia. Saturn’s great festival, the Saturnalia, became the most popular of Roman festivals. The Saturnalia was originally celebrated on December 17, but it was later extended to seven days. It was the merriest festival of the year: all work and business were suspended; slaves were given temporary freedom to say and do what they liked; certain moral restrictions were eased, and presents were freely exchanged. People danced naked, drunk, painted their houses and decorated trees. Saturn was so big, enough to have a day named after him (Saturday).

 Saturnalia grew in duration and moved to progressively later dates under the Roman period. During the reign of Emperor Augustus (63 BC-AD 14), it was a two-day affair starting on December 17th. It later grew to a seven-day event. Changes to the Roman calendar moved the climax of Saturnalia to December 25th, around the time of the date of the winter solstice.

 The conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity in AD 312 ended the Roman persecution of Christians and began imperial patronage of the Christian churches. But Christianity did not become the Roman Empire’s official religion overnight. However, since Saturnalia was a national holiday, Constantine couldn't change it. He Christianized it. He named it Christmas, to mean the gathering was not a Saturn-Mass, but a Christ-Mass. And so, he decided Jesus' birthday will be celebrated then. So technically Saturnalia continued to be celebrated in the century afterward, to date.

 Ask any theologist around you; there's nowhere, and I mean nowhere, in the Holly Scripture that alludes or indicates Jesus was born on December 25. Again Jesus himself never celebrated his birthday. However, for them who insist, ask them the exact death that Jesus died. Otherwise, I wish you a Happy and Merry Saturnalia.

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