Holiday time. I do not believe in any god, so I do not celebrate christmas. I do celebrate the winter solstice, as this was the basis for the original winter celebration in ancient times. What people do for christmas was basically stolen from various pagans. Instead of a christimas tree, I have a solstice tree and solstice decorations, I give solstice presents, send solstice cards and in pre covid times had a solstice dinner with family. I enjoy all the same rituals, but use the original meaning for the winter holiday. When people say merry christmas to me, I say to them "and a Happy Solstice to you!" Celebrating the winter solstice is an important time of the year, as it begins the count down to spring when planting can occur. Spring is planting, summer is growing, fall is harvest and winter is the time to prepare for the next planting season. These were the times for the original celebrations after humans began farming and living in settlements. Later religions just stole these celebrations and twisted them to meet the needs of that religion. Anyway, solstice is a fun time of the year, so be sure to enjoy it.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.So in summary: "I do everything they do, but just with different labels."
Whatever works for you.
1of5
Level 8
Dec 1, 2020
2
1of5:
@creative51 two wrongs and shit. 
But whatever gets you through the winter.
1of5:
@creative51 You are denying that humans enjoy celebrations and you are denying that repurposing old ideas in to a new format is a worth while endeavor...
Mind pointing out where I said that? I am, in fact, stating the opposite. Thats why I ended my first comment with "Whatever works for you" - in other words, enjoy yourself.
I just don't feel the need to justify breaking up the winter monotony by justifying it with meaningless examples about how or why others who are long dead did it. Seems rather pointless.
The Genuine First Sunrise
Long before Epiphany and stories of Three Kings
Ancient peoples noted the event that this date brings.
For on this date the morning sun within the Northern Skies
Will pass the point most tardy of its daily morning rise.
It is reborn, no longer old and in a weak decline.
From henceforth, for the next six months, ‘twill ever sooner shine.
Though the druids built their henges, as a solstice marking tool
The Vikings used this later date to mark the end of Yule.
The solstice merely marked the start; its death throes if you will.
For sixteen days they kept strict watch, as they drank and ate their fill,
Waiting for its rebirth, as the start of every year,
Until on the sixth of January they gave a mighty cheer.
So although the first of January convention has decreed
To start the year. I think that to the Vikings we ought heed.
It marks when we first notice the lengthening of each day.
‘Tis the “Genuine First Sunrise” of the new year, I would say.
The early Christian church usurped many Pagan dates in order to spread their faith. The end of Yule was one such date. © 2 years ago, Severin Didrik Petter Finne
Petter
Level 9
Dec 1, 2020
1
From Solstice until "epiphany" (Jan 6th) is the period of Yule. These dates mark the earliest setting of the evening sun (solstice) and the latest rising of the morning sun.
That is why I prefer the greeting of a Happy Yuletide.
[en.m.wikipedia.org]
Petter
Level 9
Dec 1, 2020
0
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