Why celebrate Christmas?

[Sutekh]

This might come off as a short thread and maybe a bit of a rant.

I find it interesting that plenty of non Christians (some Neo Pagans included) would celebrate Christmas. I get it that it's now a secular tradition by hanging out with family and friends, here in the U.S. where I live. But where I come from, I don't see the point in celebrating a holiday that originally symbolizes Christ's birth. Me personally, I celebrate Yule. As a matter of fact, I'm planning on doing a private ritual feast on this Yule.

Im not one to judge, but I find it funny seeing a few Satanists/few neo Pagans out their on social media sharing their Christmas celebration. (This might seem like a repeat, but I will simply place the question) Why choose to still celebrate a holiday that was originally a Christian holiday?

 

[Sutekh]

To make this thread appropriate on this dir, I also come from an antinomian stance. I reject everything that is viewed to be "traditional." I simply believe in going my own way, no matter how taboo or non mainstream it is labeled.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Family, friends, community, because they simply enjoy it, etc. It's not that difficult to understand. The name of it is irrelevant as Christmas has become so secularized to so many people.

 

[The Hammer]

This might come off as a short thread and maybe a bit of a rant.

I find it interesting that plenty of non Christians (some Neo Pagans included) would celebrate Christmas. I get it that it's now a secular tradition by hanging out with family and friends, here in the U.S. where I live. But where I come from, I don't see the point in celebrating a holiday that originally symbolizes Christ's birth. Me personally, I celebrate Yule. As a matter of fact, I'm planning on doing a private ritual feast on this Yule.

Im not one to judge, but I find it funny seeing a few Satanists/few neo Pagans out their on social media sharing their Christmas celebration. (This might seem like a repeat, but I will simply place the question) Why choose to still celebrate a holiday that was originally a Christian holiday?

I celebrate Christmas and Yule. My wife is Christian so we still celebrate Christmas. But I also do my own Ritual on the 21st and cook us a large meal that day. I also give a gift each day between the 21st to the 24th, before traditional "Christmas gift exchange" on the 25th. I just consider it a week of Yule festivities, as they are fairly similar (yule/Christmas) as they both take after Saturnalia.

 

[crossfire]

To make this thread appropriate on this dir, I also come from an antinomian stance. I reject everything that is viewed to be "traditional." I simply believe in going my own way, no matter how taboo or non mainstream it is labeled.

If you reject all "tradition," then you are also driven by "tradition." You can accept and embrace traditions that you find merit in.

Personally, I find merit in the extra lights, which help stave off seasonal affective disorder and gathering with loved ones also help fight the winter depression. I have a couple of strings of white lights strung up around my bookshelves in my living room right now.

 

[Sutekh]

If you reject all "tradition," then you are also driven by "tradition." You can accept and embrace traditions that you find merit in.

Oh yeah, I agree with you here. I guess what I am trying to get at is primarily rejecting things that are labeled as "un-american." Not to go off subject here, but for example I enjoy reading Friedrich Nietzsche. I enjoy taking a few things out of a few thinkers. I've encountered those who would say that it's "un-american." However no matter how "un-american" things get labeled that I have an interest in, I still choose to strive on this path. I realize what I study and practice is regarded as taboo from an outsiders perspective, but I still do it anyways in order that I seek more wisdom and knowledge (just like the character of Odin). I might had kinda mis typed "rejecting everything that is traditional." What I meant is rejecting things that is labeled to be "conventional" or mainstreamed out here in the west. I live in a conservative area, and I simply believe in going towards that antinomian side, in order to gain what I want out of this path.

 

[Sutekh]

In my opinion those who try and judge you for what you are on this path, cannot control you. They're so scared that they do not want to venture down on the Left Hand Path. You are in control of yourself. Society wants you to become a part of the herd.
(Part of it I'm kinda saying, is coming from Thomas LeRoy himself)

 

[crossfire]

Oh yeah, I agree with you here. I guess what I am trying to get at is primarily rejecting things that are labeled as "un-american." Not to go off subject here, but for example I enjoy reading Friedrich Nietzsche. I enjoy taking a few things out of a few thinkers. I've encountered those who would say that it's "un-american." However no matter how "un-american" things get labeled that I have an interest in, I still choose to strive on this path. I realize what I study and practice is regarded as taboo from an outsiders perspective, but I still do it anyways in order that I seek more wisdom and knowledge (just like the character of Odin). I might had kinda mis typed "rejecting everything that is traditional." What I meant is rejecting things that is labeled to be "conventional" or mainstreamed out here in the west. I live in a conservative area, and I simply believe in going towards that antinomian side, in order to gain what I want out of this path.

American culture is a melting pot--freedom. Anyone who says otherwise is trying to undermine this freedom that is the basis of american culture.

 

[crossfire]

American culture is a melting pot--freedom. Anyone who says otherwise is trying to undermine this freedom that is the basis of american culture.

Dare I say, these are the real Unamericans?

 

[crossfire]

Heck, we have a colossal statue of Hekate in New York Harbor to greet new immigrants. Would the "unamerican" scoffers dare call her "unamerican?"

 

[The Hammer]

Heck, we have a colossal statue of Hekate in New York Harbor to greet new immigrants. Would the "unamerican" scoffers dare call her "unamerican?"View attachment 58238

I thought that was the Roman Goddess Libertas.

 

[crossfire]

I thought that was the Roman Goddess Libertas.

Well yeah. Look closer.
Hecate - Wikipedia
Hecate - Wikipedia

 

[crossfire]

Look what the statue of Liberty is holding--a torch and a book. Libertas usually holds a staff and a felt hat. Hecate is the one associated with the dawn, as denoted by her solar headdress with the solar rays emitting from it, and holds torches. (I don't want to hijack this thread)

 

[The Hammer]

Well yeah. Look closer.
Hecate - Wikipedia
Hecate - Wikipedia

While I don't see any historical ties here. It does look like there is at least some artistic similarities.

 

[Onyx]

I don't really care for any of it, especially candy canes (does anyone actually eat those things?) I generally enjoy the winter though, sans ice storms.

 

[Sutekh]

I don't really care for any of it, especially candy canes (does anyone actually eat those things?) I generally enjoy the winter though, sans ice storms.

Yeah, I feel the whole Christmas thing is being shoved down ones throat. It's gotten ridiculous to the point that you see pornstars dressing up in Santa outfits. To the rest who celebrate it, it's not my business on saying what's right and isn't right. Those are just my opinions.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I thought that was the Roman Goddess Libertas.

It is:
Statue of Liberty - Wikipedia

 

[Lazy Old Devil]

Yeah, I feel the whole Christmas thing is being shoved down ones throat. It's gotten ridiculous to the point that you see pornstars dressing up in Santa outfits.

Well, you can seen pornstars doing much more ridiculous things than that!

I agree, though. The whole build up to the day itself seems to get dragged out more every year too, sometimes you get decorations, christmas songs etc. going on when it's still November, or even before that. All for one bloody day!

Anyway, here's a pic of Glen Benton (of Deicide) sporting a fiendishly festive jumper:

 

[EtuMalku]

This might come off as a short thread and maybe a bit of a rant.

I find it interesting that plenty of non Christians (some Neo Pagans included) would celebrate Christmas. I get it that it's now a secular tradition by hanging out with family and friends, here in the U.S. where I live. But where I come from, I don't see the point in celebrating a holiday that originally symbolizes Christ's birth. Me personally, I celebrate Yule. As a matter of fact, I'm planning on doing a private ritual feast on this Yule.

Im not one to judge, but I find it funny seeing a few Satanists/few neo Pagans out their on social media sharing their Christmas celebration. (This might seem like a repeat, but I will simply place the question) Why choose to still celebrate a holiday that was originally a Christian holiday?

Many Christians as well as LHP'ers are confused as to what 'Christmas' actually is.
Although the celebration was aligned with 'Pagan' holidays by the Roman Church and is considered the birth of Yeshua the Nazarene, it is first and foremost the Mass of the Christ. Nothing more, nothing less.