Saturnailia and why I do not celebrate
Saturnalia is an ancient Roman festival that was celebrated in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture, wealth, and time. It typically ran from December 17 to December 23. Saturnalia was marked by feasting, gift-giving, role reversals (servants were often treated as masters), and general revelry. It was one of the most popular festivals in ancient Rome, characterized by a spirit of liberty and celebration.
Key Features of Saturnalia:
1. Feasting and Merriment: Large feasts were central to Saturnalia, with friends and family gathering to eat and drink.
2. Gift-Giving: Small gifts, often symbolic, were exchanged, much like modern holiday traditions.
3. Role Reversal: Social norms were relaxed, and the working poor were often treated as equals during the festival.
4. Public Celebrations: Temples and public spaces hosted events, with Saturn’s temple being a focal point for festivities.
Connection to Christmas
The association between Saturnalia and Christmas arises from their shared timing and some overlapping customs:
1. December Date: Saturnalia’s celebration in mid-to-late December aligns closely with the winter solstice, a period also marked by other cultures for celebrations of light and renewal.
2. Adoption by Christianity: When Christianity became the dominant religion in the Roman Empire, some scholars suggest that church leaders may have chosen December 25 for Christmas to coincide with (and eventually replace) Saturnalia and other pagan solstice-related festivals.
3. Similar Customs: Traditions like feasting, gift-giving, and communal celebration carried over into Christmas, though their meanings were adapted to align
While Christmas and Saturnalia are distinct in their religious and cultural significance, the timing and some of the holiday traditions create a historical link that has sparked enduring interest.
Independent reserch
Saturnalia —not a Jesus Principles based holiday. It is a remnant of a satanic pagan holiday that honors Saturn or Satan. It uses Satan’s principles of drunkeness, fornication, lies, deciet, unholiness, heinous and wanton murders. Also, large cuts of roasted meats. Saturnalia is more like the Purge. If you’ve seen the film, you know. I do not celebrate evil. Jesus is not a patch on our wonton disrespect of all that is holy rolled into one day.
I guess we’ve improved the meaning by enphasizing Christ’s birth but Jesus said celebrate the fact that He died for our sins on what we call Easter. It should be Passover, from the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (Yeast is considered pride because it makes the bread dough bigger than its original size. God hates a haughty, prideful attitude.) If it is Christ’s Day as we claim, then let us all behave in a Christ-like manner. This is for all who will. God doesn’t force anyone to worship
Him.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit is a Christ-like stance more so than Saturnalia.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are qualities or virtues that manifest in the life of someone who is living in alignment with the Holy Spirit. They are listed in Galatians 5:22-23:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience (or long-suffering)
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control
These fruits reflect the character of Christ and are evidence of spiritual maturity and growth. They are not produced by human effort alone but through the work of the Holy Spirit within believers.
