San Francisco Atheists - Essays: Merry Solstice

Merry Solstice

By Don Havis

Dear Editor,

Ahhh, it is that time of year again—the time of year when we celebrate the “rebirth of the sun”—the winter solstice season. Many Christians—most surprisingly, Protestant Christians—like to call it “Christmas”—the “Mass for Christ.” The celebration of the turning from the shortest day of the year to gradually lengthening days has been celebrated by ancient peoples for at least 6,000 years that archeologists know of. The Romans celebrated with their Saturnalia festival. The older Persian religion of Mithraism celebrated the resurrection of their son god Mithra on the same December 25th date. Mithra, according to ancient texts, was born of a virgin in a cave. Also, numerous shepherds who were thereabouts at the time spread the word of his nativity far and wide.

Of course, there is no mention of Christmas in the bible since it wasn’t yet created by the Catholic Church when the bible was written. That had to wait until the reign of Pope Julius I sometime between 309 and 352 C.E. (You may use A.D.) Records are sparse, but it is well-documented that in 354 C.E. Bishop Liberious of Rome decreed that the birth of Jesus was on the same day—December 25th—as the birth of the various pagan sun gods. Many Protestant churches such as the early Puritans and the present day Jehovah Witnesses forbid the celebration of Christmas because of its entirely pagan origins.

But I say, “What the heck!” Go ahead and celebrate the Winter Solstice—the “rebirth of the sun,” as it has always been celebrated since “cave man days.” Enjoy good fellowship with family and friends, feasts, gift giving, etc., just as my atheist family and friends do. As a teacher, however, I only ask that you be a bit more aware of the true history of the season and the reason for the celebrations.

The author can be emailed at dhavis@sbcglobal.net.