eC's Chillout Lounge

Merry Christmas to you all!

I'm sure most of you know why we celebrate this day. It's Jesus's birthday party!

Well, I did some research on the history of Christmas and got quite a shock.

Before the introduction of Christmas, the Romans held a festival on December 25 called Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, "the birthday of the undefeated sun," where they worshipped several solar deities collectively.

During this time, the Romans feasted, postponed all business and warfare, exchanged gifts, and temporarily freed their slaves. There was drinking, gambling, and singing, and even public nudity!

During 312 AD, Constantine became the first Roman emperor who became a Roman Catholic, and he deliberately made the Feast of the Nativity to coincide with the pagan holidays to try to spread his faith.

So is Jesus's birthday really on this day? Well, although the Gospels did describe Jesus’ birth in detail, they never mention the date, so no one can really confirm that.

During the Reformation of the 16th century, Protestants challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, including its toleration of surviving pagan traditions during Christmas festivities.

For a brief time during the 17th century, Christmas in England and in some English colonies in North America was banned!

So how did Christmas got revived? You'll be surprised...

Charles Dickens' book, A Christmas Carol, played a major role in reinventing Christmas as a holiday emphasizing family, goodwill, and compassion over communal celebration.

The poem, A Visit from St Nicholas, popularised the tradition of exchanging gifts and seasonal Christmas shopping.

So, I don't agree that Santa Claus is Satan, lar.

So, isn't it amazing how a pagan festival, became one of the most celebrated event that brought people closer to God?

God is able to turn around something of the devil to His own, just like that!