You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
23. The fact of the matter is there are numerous saviors, from different periods, from<br />
all over the world, which subscribe to these general characteristics. The question<br />
remains: why these attributes, why the virgin birth on December 25 th , why dead for<br />
three days and the inevitable resurrection, why 12 disciples or followers? To find out,<br />
let’s examine the most recent of the solar messiahs. Jesus Christ was born of the<br />
Virgin Mary on December 25 th in Bethlehem...<br />
The December 25 th birthday is not given in the gospels; rather, it is a traditional date assigned to the birth<br />
of Jesus based on prior Pagan traditions. As we have seen, ―December 25 th ‖ is one of the dates viewed<br />
by the ancients as the end of the winter-solstice period, when, from a geocentric perspective, the sun<br />
begins its long journey north towards the summer solstice.<br />
If we factor in the other solar and astrotheological motifs within Christianity, both in the New Testament<br />
and in Christian tradition, along with the highly important Pagan festivals of the day such as celebrations<br />
of the solstices and equinoxes, we can understand why Christians later appended the December<br />
25 th /winter-solstice holiday to their religion. In fact, certain early Church fathers were clear on this point of<br />
having their savior born at the winter solstice. For example, concerning the origins of this solar holiday<br />
vis-à-vis Christianity, the authoritative Catholic Encyclopedia states:<br />
The earliest rapprochement of the births of Christ and the sun is in [the writings of Church father]<br />
Cyprian [200-258]… ―O, how wonderfully acted Providence that on that day on which that Sun<br />
was born…Christ should be born.‖<br />
In the fourth century, Chrysostom…says:… ―But Our Lord, too, is born in the month of<br />
December…the eighth day before the calends of January [25 December]…, But they call it the<br />
‗Birthday of the Unconquered.‘ Who indeed is so unconquered as Our Lord…? Or, if they say that<br />
it is the birthday of the Sun, He is the Sun of Justice.‖ 204<br />
The Roman ―Unconquered Sun‖ is both Sol Invictus and Mithra, and we have seen other gods share this<br />
winter-solstice birth, with good reason, as the return of the sun was one of if not the most important days<br />
of the year for many peoples, especially in the far north. Hence, we have a relatively early Church father<br />
who not only admits but also insists that Christ‘s birth usurps that of the sun. He also insists on the logical<br />
equation of Christ with the sun, which had been established in the Old Testament book of Malachi, just<br />
before Matthew‘s gospel, with him prophesying the coming Messiah as the ―Sun of Righteousness.‖ (Mal<br />
4:2)<br />
The December 25 th /winter-solstice birthday was adopted by Christianity in the third century. The Christian<br />
world has thus been celebrating Jesus‘s birthday on December 25 th for the past nearly 1700 years—it is<br />
obvious why this birthday was attached to Christian tradition: Because it represented the winter solstice,<br />
the time of the year when the sun is ―born,‖ and Jesus was the ―new sun‖ of the Christians.<br />
24. ...his birth was announced by a star in the east,<br />
which three kings or magi followed to locate and adore<br />
the new savior.<br />
In the New Testament (Mt 2:1-12), the number of ―wise men‖ or magi—<br />
i.e., astrologers—following the star at Jesus‘s birth is not given.<br />
However, it is traditionally assumed to be three because of the three<br />
gifts (frankincense, myrrh and gold) presented by these magi or ―kings‖<br />
during their visit with the divine child. The earliest extant numbering of<br />
the three magi is by Church father Origen (185-224 AD/CE) in his<br />
Homilies on Genesis (14.3), 205 who seems not to blink an eye<br />
in his equation, as if it were solidly part of Christian tradition by<br />
this time.<br />
204 CE, III, 727.<br />
205 Origen/Heine, 198.<br />
Phrygian-capped ―magi‖ approach the divine child<br />
Fresco, 4 th cent. AD/CE<br />
Catacomb of Marcus & Marcellianus,<br />
Rome, Italy<br />
(Jensen)