Holidays, Holly Days or Holy Days?

Happy Holidays? Holly Days? It was once called "Saturnalia" and it was splendid. Before the "Holly Days" would be preparation to celebrate Saturnalia. In ancient Greece, Saturnalia was a festival surrounding the winter solstice time (est 17th or 18th and generally lasted a week and at times ending on the 25th of December.) One of the emblems that they would use was Holly Boughs to symbolize peace. Because it was a public holiday celebrated around December 25th, and done in the family home, it could have easily influenced what we understand Christmas to be which is a time of peace on earth and goodwill towards all. It was a time for feasting, goodwill, generosity to the poor, the exchange of gifts and the decoration of trees. Tradition shows that slaves were free to enjoy this day and were not required to serve their masters and it was also a time to 'forgive people of their debts' Saturnalia was not to be confused with Christmas but as in Christmas as well, one has the tradition of decking ones halls with the same "boughs of Holly" that they did in ancient Greece and Christians probably unknowingly did this in order to more fully celebrate one ULTIMATE version of a "freeing the captives" as well as an ultimate" forgiving of debts." It is clearly taught in all of Christianity how Christ would free those who were captive and that he paid for the debts of mankind in full. To me, its a small wonder that the early Christians had used some of this symbolism to carry on our own holiday traditions by borrowing aspects of Saturnalia to enhance its own. Saturnalia wasn't meant to be a Christmas precursor. This was Saturnalia related much to the pagan Roman winter solstice festival but it is lovely, virtuous and of good report as well as praiseworthy. So when we tell others "Happy Holidays" remember that we are also borrowing the days of Holly, ie Saturnalia. Is it also another clever way of saying Happy/Merry Christmas anyhow since it predates Christmas in some way? I'll let you make up your own minds on this one. Celebrate either the 12 days of Christmas or the ancient Greeks celebrated the 8 days of Saturnalia and one will probably have some of the same results when we all enjoy peace on earth and more goodwill one towards another. One of these celebrations could be considered as "Holy Days" if one maintains the spirit of Christ within during this time.

Saturnalia and the Story of Christmas