>"Michael J. Hu=DFmann" wrote:
>
> > Robert Benschop (rbenschop_at_mac.com) wrote:
> >
> > > none of the other Christian holidays show
> > > their pagan roots so badly
> >
> > Robert,
> >
> > what about Christmas? That's as pagan a holiday as it gets, with no
> > biblical justification for choosing December 25 whatsoever.
>
>I agree. What's the whole Santa/reindeer/sleigh/tree in the living room
>thing got to do with Jesus?
>That and I've read that historians actually KNOW that he wasn't born
>then, and that the holiday was put there to coincide with the winter
>festivals.
The appearance of the "star" was just Jupiter and Saturn lined up,=20
which happens every 805 years. With that in mind, he was born in 6=20
B.C.
It also makes sense that he was born in late summer (I have been told=20
August), if you think about the weather that is described.
>I'm sure it's all a plot by Hallmark to sell more cards and wrapping
>paper... ;-)
The Romans sold Saturnalia cards with little verses, so Christmas has=20
been commercialised for a lot longer than most people think!
-James
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