The truly interesting piece around these two beliefs is that - like many "opposing" ideas - they originate from the same point.

 

The Opposing Christmases was at battle since the ruling empire (that converted to Christianity) changed their "Old Religion" festivals to coincide with (or be similar to) the new principles - ya know, the old "give the people what they want so they don't rebel and tear us down from power," routine. Works every time.

 

For tens of thousands of years, humans were one with nature. They believed in Tree Worship; the Power of the Ancestors; Spiritual Connectivity, taking from the earth with respect and putting back when able. They killed for survival, and marveled at all that surrounded them. Many, across the globe, were the festivals giving thanks to god(s). There was always the notion of Lesser; maybe because the mysteries of the world were still about us. But many were the festivals and traditions of Thankfulness (whether it be to a tree, dead relative or all the aforementioned). 

 

If you think these practices sound much like ancient and current African customs, you are right. Any, every, and most customs from indigenous peoples - across the globe! - will note these similarities. Coincidence? I think not?

From Iceland to New Zealand, Alaska to Russia, so we believed. Many, today, take these traditions into practice. This is from where the "secular" side of Christmas derives.

 

For example, it is suggested The Christmas Tree originated from the tradition of Tree Devotion, the practice of bringing a cut tree into to house and decorating it for crop prosperity the next year. It is rumoured, Santa Clause is a blend of the mid winter (Winter Solstice) folklore, related to Odin (who happened to be described as sporting a long, white, beard) leading a group of supernatural beings across the sky on a "Wild Hunt..." guess on what they were riding across the great, mid winter, sky at all hours of the night? Correct, a sleigh! Some Northern and Western European descendants celebrate Yule (or the many variations of that name) on December 22nd (of this year). These celebrations vary in practice from the dead returning to share a meal with the living to an association with fertility and the continuation of life (as this is when the goddess gave birth to the Sun God). Santa Clause also received the attributes of the famous priest who was extremely generous to the needy, sick and suffering. After his death, countless were the miracles that claim him and the people that revered him as their patron saint. Annually, a great feast was held in his honour, the eve of his name day; children would be given gifts in remembrance of his generosity. As the centuries grew, so did his legend. It is for this reason many Eastern European families - pushing, into Germany and France - celebrate Christmas on December 6th (his name day) or the eve (December 5th). By the way, this priest's name was Nicolas. After his canonization, he became SAINT Nicolas...

 

 

The "religious" side of Christmas stems from the popularization of Christianity, more than three hundreds years AFTER Jesus' teachings, death and resurrection. It is during this middle-ages period, the Roman Empire - and its approximately forty countries of rule that had no choice - converted to Christianity. Christianity is the world's largest religion with various branches stemming from it like Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Protestantism, Anglicanism and Baptist to name a few. According to Christian faith, the son of God (the ONE true, holy, Trinity of The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost), was sent down from Heaven to live, teach and die as a man in order to cleanse mankind of his sins, allowing him eternal life. The purpose of this cleansing was (and is) for the allowance of man to walk in a relationship with God in absolute trust in Him and no worry about sin, penance or rules, as all past, present and future sin/debt had been paid by the blood of Jesus. The choice is to completely trust God in exchange for eternal life. Christianity is about humility, blind faith, and love of fellow man. So, humble was Jesus' life his first night (of life) was spent in a manger among cattle. In order to help the people become accustomed to their new faith, The Ruling Empire changed their then current Harvest Festival of Thanks to the Sun God, Sol, to the celebration of their new Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth. When the Protestants separated from the Catholic church, the date celebrating The Christ's birth would replace the celebration of the saintly priest, Nicolas, as Saint Worship was frowned upon within the Protestant belief. So the tradition of The Saint was refocused onto the gift giving aspect to (well behaved) children on the birth date of Jesus (which was adopted by the Roman Empire when they became Christians and changed their Sol festival of harvest, but kept the date).
 

The confusion and struggle with religion recognition are clear, now, aren't they?

 

It would make matters even more confusing to mention, the story of Jesus bares similarity with religious deities from Africa to Asia, Australia to South America, then wouldn't it? Look for the story of the Ancient African Goddess and her son, for an example.

 

Which Christmas do YOU celebrate? Do you know Why?