Embrace the wonder of holiday magic The holiday season is a special and magical time of the year. It is a time when people come together to celebrate, give thanks, and reflect on the joys and blessings in their lives. The air is filled with excitement and anticipation as decorations light up the streets, holiday music plays in every store, and the savory scents of holiday treats waft through the air. During this time, it is important to embrace the wonder and magic that the holidays bring. It is a time to let go of stress and worries and to focus on the joy and happiness that surrounds us. The holidays offer us a chance to be present in the moment, to appreciate the beauty of the world, and to create lifelong memories with loved ones.
The fertile ground for the decline of Christian influence and the return of paganism was actually prepared during the early centuries of Christianity. As the Church grew and spread throughout the Mediterranean world, it encountered many pagan ideas and practices that some did not discard, but rather adopted and absorbed into their doctrine. These customs were popular, and apostate church leaders reasoned that incorporating them would make it easier for pagans to convert to this new religion. The biblical Sabbath observed by Jesus, the apostles, and early Christians (Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14, 42–44; 17:1–2) was abandoned in favor of Sunday, a day already acknowledged by pagans who, like Emperor Constantine, worshipped the sun. The popular winter festival of the Saturnalia—a time of gambling, merry-making, and social role-reversal—was renamed “Christmas” and observed as Jesus’ birthday, despite the total lack of biblical support for the major deviation from original Christian practice that the festival represented. (See Gerald E. Weston’s article “Does Christmas Matter?,” on page 18 of this issue.) The pagan springtime fertility festivals with eggs, rabbits, and sexually-oriented activities honoring Aphrodite and Ishtar (“the queen of heaven”) were adopted by increasingly apostate leaders and named “Easter” under the guise of remembering Jesus’ resurrection—even though the Scriptures condemn these practices (see, for example, Jeremiah 7:18; 44:18–23; Ezekiel 8:15–18). It is unsurprising that some Christians begin to question their faith when they look into the origins of these major holidays.
The rise of so-called higher criticism in Western academia generated claims that many books of the Bible were spurious, that miracles are impossible, that Jesus was not the divine Son of God just an itinerant preacher in Palestine and that His resurrection was staged, invented, or imagined. For the fortunate few who were born into a non-religious home or raised in a more tolerant religious atmosphere such as Unitarian Universalism, their Paganism may be at least accepted even if it is not understood.
The holidays offer us a chance to be present in the moment, to appreciate the beauty of the world, and to create lifelong memories with loved ones. One way to embrace the wonder of holiday magic is to take the time to appreciate the small things. From a child's laughter to the twinkle in someone's eye, there are countless moments of magic waiting to be discovered.
Contemporary Paganism
This book explores the legal bias in the United States against Paganism and other non-Christian religions. Despite being one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world, the U.S. legal system developed when the population was predominantly Christian. Built into the law is the tacit assumption that all religions and religious practices resemble Christianity. Using the Pagans as a case study, Barner-Barry shows how their experiences demonstrate that both the law affecting nondominant religions and the judiciary that interprets this law are significantly biased in favor of the dominant religion, Christianity. This creates legal problems, as well as problems of intolerance, for religions with significantly different practices. Special attention is given to a series of Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Freedom of Religion Clause in terms of neutrality and interpreting the Establishment Clause loosely and its impact on nondominant religions in the US.
Slow down and savor these moments, for they are what make the holiday season truly special. Another way to embrace the wonder of holiday magic is to participate in traditions and rituals. Whether it is decorating the Christmas tree, baking cookies, or singing carols, these activities connect us to our past and create a sense of warmth and togetherness. These traditions help us create a sense of belonging and remind us of the larger community we are a part of. Furthermore, embracing the wonder of holiday magic means spreading kindness and giving back. The holiday season is a time of giving, and there is no greater joy than helping others and making a positive impact in their lives. Whether it is volunteering at a local shelter, donating to a charity, or even just offering a kind word to someone in need, these acts of kindness embody the true spirit of the holidays. In conclusion, the holiday season is a time to embrace the wonder of holiday magic. It is a time to appreciate the small things, participate in traditions, and spread kindness and joy. So, let go of your worries, open your heart, and allow yourself to be swept away by the beauty and magic that this time of year brings..
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