402. Christmas: Pagan or Christian?

The Rest Is History

Goalhanger

History

4.6 • 26.6K Ratings

🗓️ 25 December 2023

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

“The Church was anxious to draw the attention of its members away from the old pagan feast days, and the December date did this very well, for it coincided with the birthday of the invincible son of Mithraism…” Is Christmas as we know it merely an invention, created by plagiarising from rival cults, such as the worship of Mithra, the Iranian sun god, during the days of the Roman Empire? Is Christmas in fact based on a pagan festival, that Christians have made their own? Or has Christmas always been an authentically Christian celebration, born of its tradition and rituals? Join Tom and Dominic as they delve into the roots of Christmas, the importance of the Roman festival of Saturnalia, the cult of Sol Invictus, and much more. 📱Protect your tech valuables with our exclusive 20% off discount at http://uk.mous.co/RestHistory🎒 Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Thank you for listening to the Rest is History.
0:02.2	For bonus episodes, early access,
0:04.4	add free listening and access to our chat community,
0:07.7	sign up at rest is History pod.com.
0:10.7	That's rest is History Pod.com.
0:14.0	Hey guys, it's Kate here.
0:18.0	Now from nursery drop-offs to after-school clubs,
0:20.0	there is always something going on in the Ferdinand House and that's why I love the gorgeous new
0:25.8	F&F Active Collection. It's super comfy and supportive and makes me feel really great when I'm on the move.
0:32.0	Check it out next time you're in Tesco.
0:34.4	I hope you'll love it as much as I do.
0:36.7	If and effective makes fashion sense,
0:38.9	available in the majority of larger Tesco stores. T-Bingroned. Don't get a symbologist started on Christian icons. Nothing in Christianity is original.
1:02.8	The pre-Christian God, Mithras, called the Son of God and the Light of the World,
1:08.4	was born on December 25th.
1:11.0	He died, was buried in a rock tomb, and then resurrected in three days.
1:16.6	By the way, December the 25th is also the birthday of Vazirus, Adonis and Dionysus.
1:26.0	The newborn Krishna was presented with gold, frankincense and moor.
1:31.8	Now that was the renowned symbologist Sir Lee Tebing and he is
1:37.3	quoted in a great book of Christmas themed scholarship and that book is the Da Vinci Code by the renowned author, Dan Brown.
1:49.2	Tom, happy Christmas! Happy Christmas! And nothing says Christmas like getting a friend of the show, Dan Brown,
1:56.4	back on to the rest of history.
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