I hate this day. Not just this year, but every year.
But then I remember that starting tomorrow, the light grows and the darkness diminishes, and it gives me the strength to push forward through another year. Symbolism will be our salvation.
While the winter solstice peaks on one day, the "solstice" really lasts for three days. When graphing the "length of days" v. "day of the year" these three days are the bottom of a sine wave, which is basically a straight line (close enough), at least by the measurements of previous cultures.
These three days are the days when the Sun is dead. The day after the third day is Dec. 25th. Dec. 25th is the day when the Sun starts to stay longer in the sky. It is considered by these bygone cultures to be the day the Sun Rises Again, i.e. the birth of the Sun.
Of course because of how we tell time, leap years, precession of the Earth around the Sun, etc. the solstice (absolute minimum) changes from year to year, so the end of the three day period (according to our calendar) doesn't always end on the 25th, but that is the origin of Dec. 25th being the "Birth of the Sun."
Further, the pagan element that invaded the church after about 300 AD (or CE If you prefer) incorporated both pagan and hierarchical festivals and theology and essentially forbade keeping the Biblical Feasts and Festivals.
Moreover, Jesus is the only mediator needed between God and man. The Church's mediatory role is between adopted brothers and sisters in Messiah ( I Cor. 6 https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb95/1co/6/1/s_1068001 ), not between them and God.
The idea of a mediator between God and Man, and the need for one, is as old as Genesis 3:15 (https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb95/gen/3/1/s_3001 ) and Job, (which many scholars believe is the oldest book in the Scripture: Job 19: 21 - 25, Job 33: 1 - 33)
The Israelites upon leaving Egypt requested that Moses be the mediator between themselves and God, and God Himself approved of the request. (Exodus 19 - 24) He further promised a mediator like Moses.
Easter as well. WTF do rabbits and eggs have to do with Jesus? Nothing. But they were Pagan symbols of fertility that were used to celebrate the return of Spring, when new plants grew and animals gave birth.
And I believe April fools day came about when Christians began mocking Pagans for celebrating their New Years on April 1st, when the calendars the Christians used celebrated New Years on January 1st.
Pray against all the forces of darkness; may all their curses return on them, may they not carry out any sacrifices.
AMEN
Praying in agreement!
And may the traps they set for others be their own snare.
Amen to that!
I hate this day. Not just this year, but every year.
But then I remember that starting tomorrow, the light grows and the darkness diminishes, and it gives me the strength to push forward through another year. Symbolism will be our salvation.
Cheers, everyone. And Merry Christmas!
I think a lot of people agree with you---everyone in my neighborhood turned on their Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving.
While the winter solstice peaks on one day, the "solstice" really lasts for three days. When graphing the "length of days" v. "day of the year" these three days are the bottom of a sine wave, which is basically a straight line (close enough), at least by the measurements of previous cultures.
These three days are the days when the Sun is dead. The day after the third day is Dec. 25th. Dec. 25th is the day when the Sun starts to stay longer in the sky. It is considered by these bygone cultures to be the day the Sun Rises Again, i.e. the birth of the Sun.
Of course because of how we tell time, leap years, precession of the Earth around the Sun, etc. the solstice (absolute minimum) changes from year to year, so the end of the three day period (according to our calendar) doesn't always end on the 25th, but that is the origin of Dec. 25th being the "Birth of the Sun."
u/#wildwest
10:59am EST which is about an hour from now.
I actually upvoted you, though you have some things reversed- Jesus is preexistent (John 1 - https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb95/jhn/1/1/s_998001 ) then the seasons came after the Flood, Genesis 6)
Further, the pagan element that invaded the church after about 300 AD (or CE If you prefer) incorporated both pagan and hierarchical festivals and theology and essentially forbade keeping the Biblical Feasts and Festivals.
Moreover, Jesus is the only mediator needed between God and man. The Church's mediatory role is between adopted brothers and sisters in Messiah ( I Cor. 6 https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb95/1co/6/1/s_1068001 ), not between them and God.
The idea of a mediator between God and Man, and the need for one, is as old as Genesis 3:15 (https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb95/gen/3/1/s_3001 ) and Job, (which many scholars believe is the oldest book in the Scripture: Job 19: 21 - 25, Job 33: 1 - 33)
The Israelites upon leaving Egypt requested that Moses be the mediator between themselves and God, and God Himself approved of the request. (Exodus 19 - 24) He further promised a mediator like Moses.
Easter as well. WTF do rabbits and eggs have to do with Jesus? Nothing. But they were Pagan symbols of fertility that were used to celebrate the return of Spring, when new plants grew and animals gave birth.
And I believe April fools day came about when Christians began mocking Pagans for celebrating their New Years on April 1st, when the calendars the Christians used celebrated New Years on January 1st.
Dark to Light.
1221221– a perfect palindrome
9:59 here in South Texas.
Come on man...stop getting my hopes up.
Bring it!
u/#Lightning I think it's almost here
Here's a song for all my fellow Storm watchers:
David Martin: Let the Wind Blow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhUsVGbO2Sc
https://genius.com/David-c-martin-let-the-wind-blow-lyrics