Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’s birth, which is celebrated by the Christian community and traditions. This holy festival is all about the joy of happiness, spending time with families and friends, and attending ceremonies in Church, but do you know the hidden roots of Christmas traditions? From distributing gifts and spreading happiness to enlightening candles, this holiday season has different customs and symbols associated with the ancient Christmas pagan traditions.
Today in this article we will uncover the interesting pagan Christmas traditions and their hidden roots that influence the modern holiday season from the evergreen decorations, and Winter Solstice Celebrations to the Mistletoe and Holly tradition.
1. Uncovering the Pagan Christmas Traditions
Before going into the deep of Pagan Christmas Traditions, let us first understand the beliefs and origins of Pagan. Paganism is referred to as a different group of religions and cultures that lead the Christian community.
Pagan has a big impact on Christmas celebrations with non-Christian holiday seasons that influence modern celebrations, for example, the Christmas tree which has the roots of old pagan customs decorated by evergreen trees, giving the symbol of new life and journey.
Here are some pagan Christmas traditions that influenced modern Christmas celebrations in terms of their origins and beliefs.
1.1. The Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice is usually when the days are the shortest and the nights get longer but in Paganism this day is marked as important when the days get longer and nights get shorter. The winter solstice is also known as a Yule celebration as a way to enjoy the moment and lights.
The Winter Solstice is celebrated differently by many traditions and cultures. But, in Pagan Winter Solstice is celebrated as the birth of the sun and the start of a new journey. The pagan celebrations include lighting candles or fires indicating the return of new hope and lights, some decorate their houses with evergreen trees, and colourful lights and distribute special gifts to their loved ones. People invite those who had the darkest time and allow them to embrace the return light and take a step towards a new journey.
On the celebration of Pagan Solstice, some are feasting with traditional dishes like spiced cider, grilled meats and brown bread. During the winter solstice, They are also involved in traditional rituals and ceremonies to welcome the new cycle and sunlight. Some take rituals and baths to clean their mistakes and freshen up minds, bodies and spirits.
The Pagan Winter Solstice is new hopes and desires and allows a balanced life by welcoming sunlight. The Pagan Winter Solstice is significant in light and dark and encourages us to hope for new things and do better in the coming year.
To explore the Pagan Winter Solstice, people gather in traditional ceremonies and learn the rituals or some celebrate rituals at their homes. Winter solstice is a gentle reminder to all of you to add a new cycle to your life and find the importance of a better life.
1.2. Evergreen Decorations and Yule Logs
Evergreen Decorations and yule logs are the main symbols of pagan Christmas traditions that showcase the ancient traditions and their origins by burning a bunch of wood and welcoming the sunlight during the winter solstice.
Evergreen decorations have been used in pagan traditions for longer periods. The natural evergreen trees and plants represent the new cycle, bringing new challenges into their life. It also reminds them that life continues even in the darkest times.
Burning a large log in the modern Yule log traditions means excluding all old things and setting new goals, ambitions and hopes that change your life for the better. The aspects of Yule logs are believed to be magical lights, and some celebrate traditional rituals around the year.
The Evergreen Decorations is also a celebration of renewing life, from decorating homes, and distributing gifts to the Christmas trees and accepting rituals.
Old Pagan customs continue to influence modern pagan Christmas and remind the community to renew their life cycle and embrace nature.
1.3. Mistletoe and Holly
Mistletoe and holly are the two important parts of the Pagan custom celebrations while celebrating the Christmas celebrations. Mistletoe is a pretty plant that was considered blessed during the Norse and Celtic cultures.
People believe this plant holds special healing powers that they can use for removing stress, anxiety and evils by hanging on their doors during the winter solstice pagan celebrations.
With green leaves and red berries, the Holly plant is loved by Celts, who are recognized as a god. The Roman community used holy plants in their saturnalia celebrations representing the sun’s birth.
Both the mistletoe and holly plants influence modern pagan Christmas celebrations in the form of celebrating Christmas, accepting the rituals, traditions, cultures and evergreen decorations.
The couple used this mistletoe plant for a romantic date and hoped for good luck for their love life, where they kissed each other under the plant. These plants represent a deeper understanding of ancient pagan traditions.
1.4. Feast and Merriment
When the winter season is coming everyone’s, focus is on feasting and celebrations, it is the time to be thankful for the blessings which you had the entire year and welcome the new cycle.
Feasting is the most important part of pagan traditions, with sharing foods. Meals and organize feasting gatherings and festive celebrations, where people meet different people, share food, and show love to each other.
Some people think feasting and sharing food is the joy of happiness and honouring God’s blessings.
Pagan custom celebration teaches balance between life, the new cycle and birth to renew spirits. During the winter solstice, the lighting of candles and fire showcases the return of the sun and renews life. Now, modern Christmas celebration.
Continues to participate in Feasting and merriment, which involves traditional foods, drinks, and meals such as wines and special cider. The pagan Christmas celebrations are an exceptional way of enjoying during the winter season. Whether you are giving food, feasting, or lighting candles, pagan Christmas continues to encourage you to celebrate pagan Christmas traditions.
2. Conclusion
We have seen the Pagan Christmas traditions that are celebrated differently and have influenced the community to continue this with modern pagan Christmas celebrations. From the winter solstice celebrations, evergreen decorations and yule of pagan Christmas to the two important parts, Mistletoe and holly and feasting celebrations, each one provides an amazing way to celebrate the pagan Christmas traditions.
Last Updated on by Sathi