Influence of Platonic Thought on Early Christian Church Fathers During
  the Times of the Roman Empire

  Early Christian Fathers were heavily influenced by Neo-platonism during
their early formative period. (Stoicism and Aristotelianism, by contrast,
were not as popular among Christians.) St. Augustine, whose CONFESSIONS
AND CITY OF GOD became considered important and revered Christian classics,
was influenced first by Manichaean, and then Neo-platonism before he became a
Catholic Christian. (See Section V, Chapter 5). As we have seen, Christianity
shared, with Neo-Platonism, the belief in  the existence of a SPIRITUAL realm
of the universe beyond the senses, located upwards in the sky.  An all-powerful
and all-good God dwelled at the highest realm of heaven, where a man's spirit
could also live with after death, if he lived a good moral life on earth.
Many scholars believe that Christians were also influenced by the ascetic
lifestyle of Neo-Platonics and Stoics, who piously contemplated the Will of
the divine being within the universe.

  In addition to shared views on pious asceticism, and a spiritual
afterlife in heaven, some historians (such as Will Durant) believe that the
medieval view of an authoritarian church who acts as the guardian of the
people, was modeled in part on Plato's utopian ideal of the philosopher-king.
The communists in Russia, as pointed out by Durant, were no doubt also
influenced by Plato's view of an educated elite--who would rule over a
utopian society. The common thread here, of course, lies on the emphasis
placed on obedience to wise and good authorities-- who are acting in the
"best" interests of society.

  Next, we shall look at the some of the important rivals of Christianity
during the time of the Roman Empire--ie the mystery religions in Rome.

Mystery Religions in Rome--and the Origins of Christmas

   The winter solstice (December 22-25) held special meaning in virtually
every pagan religion where agriculture was important. December 25th marks
the astronomical event where the sun in the sky appears to "return" to the
earth (after moving away from the earth in the previous six months).
The winter solstice thus represented the REVERSAL of winter, and was the
event promising the return of spring. For this reason, this astronomical
event was a cause for celebration in many ancient cultures. 1

  Some of the important pagan gods were associated with the winter solstice:
The ancient Egyptian god of the sun and sky-- Horus, was born on December
25th. As we shall see next, Mithra, the savior in the mystery religion, 
Mithraism, was also, according to tradition, born on December 25th.
(Also see Section V, Chapter 3 on how Christianity overtook Mithraism during the 
fourth century C.E.)

Mithraism

  The Persian god Mithra is believed to have had his origins from the
Hindu deity, Mitra--god of the sun and caretaker of the earth (dating
from around 2000 B.C.E.).  In 450 B.C.E., the Persian ruler Artaxerxes, 
incorporated Mitra into his country's religion, Zorastrianism and the name was 
modified to Mithra. (Mithraism was an offshoot of Zorastrianism, just as 
Christianity was originally a sect within Judaism.)

  Mithra was held as the son of the Ahura-Mazda, the god of light.  In the
philosophical language of his times, he was sometimes referred to as the
Logos that emanated from God, and he who thus shared in His omnipotence.
(Franz Cumont, THE MYSTERIES OF MITHRA, Dover Publications, 1956 p. 140).
The struggle between good and evil on earth was seen in dualistic terms
as the spillover of a powerful divine battle between the Supreme Good
God and the Prince of Darkness.  Mithra was the creator, to whom had been
given the task of maintaining order in the universe. (Ibid) He was the
mediator between the unapproachable goodness in the universe in the highest
spheres above, and the human race that suffered and struggled on the earth
below.

  According to bas-reliefs found in the ruins of old Mithraic temples,
there are depictions of Mithra being born from a rock--bearing one
torch in one hand and a knife in the other.  In some accounts, his birth
was witnessed by shepherds, who offered the divine infant the fruits of
their harvest--and by magii who brought him gifts. In other accounts,
Mithra used his knife to strip leaves from a fig tree from which he made
his garments. He then tested his strength with the god of the Sun, who
was defeated, and gave Mithra a radiant crown.

  All versions show Mithra savagely battling with a ferocious bull,
whose blood rejuvenated the earth.  In commemoration of this battle,
the Mithraists conducted a blood baptism whereby adherents could cleanse
their sins (which was probably in common with the rites in the Attis and
Cybele cults).

   Mithra performed miracles during his stay on earth--such as healing the
sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead.  When he believed he had
accomplished his mission on earth, he held a last supper with some of his
closest disciples. After being entombed for three days, he ascended back
to heaven. The followers of Mithra faithfully awaited for his second
coming to Earth, at which time it was believed, he would engage in a ferocious
battle with the evil devil-god, Ahriman. After his victory, the world would be
destroyed, all humanity would be judged, and the "chosen" people would be
led across a burning body of water into a new immortal life.

  According to the Mithraists, the heavens were divided into seven spheres,
each of which were identified with a planet.  According to the symbolic
representations in the temples, each heavenly sphere were connected by
a kind of ladder, guarded by an angel of God in front of a gate. Only the dead
souls of initiates who knew how to recite special words and chants could
appease the guardians into letting them pass into the next sphere.  After
passing each level, the soul was stripped of all its earthly possessions
and desires, until-- at the highest level-- it joined in the divine
presence of the God, Ahura-Mazda. All souls were judged by Mithra.  Those
who were judged unworthy were either cast down into a terrible everlasting
hell, or were reincarnated in the form of some lowly animal on earth.

  As with the other mystery religions, much of the exact nature of the dogma
and liturgy have been lost, except for fragments. In one surviving hymn,
THE AVESTAN HYMN TO MITHRA, is the stanza how the faithful await his
coming "amid the homage of the meek and lowly".  Some scholars believe
they see similarities between Mithraic themes and early Christian stories.
For example, some have noted the parallels between the presence of shepherds
at a miraculous birth, the ascension into heaven after being entombed for
three days (ie Easter), and the Last Supper ritual.  During the Mithraists'
rite of the Last Supper , a sacred meal was comprised of secret bread and a
cup of water or wine.  Like the Christians, Mithraists used to call each other 
"Brother" and address their priests as "Father."

  Some fifth century Christian texts imply that there may also have been a
Mithraic myth that spoke of the appearance of a star which would guide
the sun-priests, or Magi towards the birthplace of their savior Mithra.
(Geoffrey Parrinder, WORLD RELIGIONS--FROM ANCIENT HISTORY TO THE PRESENT,
Facts on File Publications, NY, NY,1971 by Hamlyn Publishing Co, p 187)
Some scholars believe they also see similarities between the rock of generation
that gave birth to Mithra, and the rock on which Jesus built his church.

  Mithraism apparently imposed a strict ascetic eating and sexual
lifestyle (at least in some locales).  Tertullian wrote that the head
priest of the city ("summus pontifex") could only marry once.  Tertullian
also wrote that, as with the Christians, the Mithraic cult had their "virgins
and their continents." (Tertullian, DE PRAESCR. HAERET., XL, as cited
by Franz Cumont, op. cit., p 165)

   The mysteries of Mithra were introduced into Greece during the time
of Alexander the Great.  It gradually gained more influence, reaching its
peak sometime in the third century C.E.  The cult appealed especially to
soldiers.  Some scholars believe that it was after competition with the
Mithraists, that Christians began to describe themselves as "soldiers for
Christ". (Barbara Walker, THE WOMAN'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYTHS AND SECRETS
(New York, 1983), pp 663-65)

    Women were not allowed to participate in its rites. None of the hundreds
of inscriptions that have been found, ever refer to even one priestess or
woman initiate!  Instead, pagan women chose among the other numerous
religions cults--Isis, Diana, Athena, etc.  Some historians have speculated
that this exclusion of women, may have been one of the main factors for its
eventual displacement by Christianity. (See Section V, Chapter 3 which
discusses reasons why Christianity eventually succeeded over all other
contemporary religions in the area.)

Celebration of Mithraism in Rome During the Saturnalia

  Around 100 B.C.E., the Romans elevated Mithra--the sun god, as one of the
hundreds of Roman gods who were officially worshipped by the State.
There, its worship partially merged with other mystery religions celebrating
Cybele and Attis.  In 307 C.E., the Roman Emperor officially designated
Mithra as the "Protector of the Empire." During the late third century,
Mithraism became so popular, that for awhile it appeared as if it would
be the dominant religion in Rome, as opposed to Christianity.

  Mithraism (unlike Christianity) attempted to synthesize its doctrines
with the gods and myths of the other pagan religions.  In this way, Mithra
later became identified with the Syrian cult of Sol, the god of the Invincible
Sun. The most important celebration of Mithra took place on midnight,
December 25th, following the Roman festival, the Saturnalia. Saturn--the
Roman god of agriculture and planting of crops, was worshipped at an
annual festival that revolved around the winter solstice.

  Beginning December 17, a week of festivities would begin whereby the
normally strict, law-abiding Romans were allowed to celebrate in a drunken,
promiscuous manner. (Some modern historians have noted similarities between
the Saturnalia festival and the New Orleans' Mardi Gras.) During the
Saturnalia, all men were declared equal and every one was urged to engage in
mirth and merriment. According to the Roman writer Lucian's report, during
the Saturnalia:

  "All business, be it public or private, is forbidden during the feast
   days, save such as tends to sport and solace and delight.  Let none
   follow their avocations saving cooks and bakers.

   All men shall be equal, slave and free, rich and poor, with one another.

   Anger, resentment, threats, are contrary to law.

   No discourse shall be either composed or delivered, except it be witty
   and lusty, conducing to mirth and jollity." (The Works of Lucian of
   Samosata, Oxford University Press, 1905, Vol. 4, p 114)

  The general Saturnalia celebrations were characterized by feasting,
gift-giving and general merriment.  Public buildings and private homes were
decorated with trees or boughs (evergreens were a favorite), and often
topped with candles and small gifts.

  The Saturnalia began on December 17th and ended on December 23rd.  On
December 22, there was a festival of dolls (sigillaria) where earthenware
dolls and toys were given to children (comparable to the Christkindlmarts
held today in Germany and Austria). The Kalend festival immediately began
following the Saturnalia to celebrate the Roman New Year. According to
Libanius, a Greek sophist (4th century C.E.):

  "The festival of the Kalends is celebrated everywhere as far as the
   limits of the Roman Empire extended...Everywhere may be seen carousals
   and well-laden tables...People are not only generous towards themselves,
   but also towards their fellow men.  A stream of presents pours itself out
   on all sides...The Kalends festival banishes all that is connected with
   toil, and allows men to give themselves up to undisturbed enjoyment.
   From the minds of young people it removes two kinds of dread:  The dread
   of the schoolmaster and the dread of the stern pedagogue.  The slave also
   it allows, so far as possible, to breathe the air of freedom...Another
   great quality of the festival is that it teaches men not to hold too fast
   to their money, but to part with it and let it pass into other hands."

  (quoted from Albert J. Menendez, THE DECEMBER WARS, Prometheus Books, 1993,
    pp 28-9)

  As with the rest of the Roman populace, Mithraists celebrated the
general festival of the Saturnalia.  Then, on the last day of the festival--
December 25th--Mithraists celebrated the NATALIS SOLIS INVICTI ("Birthday of
the Invincible Sun"). At midnight, priests clad in long white robes would
ascend the steps of the temple of Mithra, lighting candles and incense. At
this point, the festivities of the proceeding week would formally end, and a
week of religious celebration was formally initiated, in honor of the god of
the sun.

    The first day of the religious celebration was on "SUN"day (from which
we get the first day of the week--and the new Christian day of worship).
It was the sacred day in which a special service to Mithra took place that
addressed him as DOMINUS (or "Lord").

  Interestingly, when early Christians were confronted with some of the
amazing coincidences between some of their practices to the pagans, they
recognized that these practices were older than Christianity.  They concluded
that Satan must have earlier introduced these into the pagan religions to
confuse good Christians. For example, the Christian Father Justin Martyr was
confronted by the fact that the Lord's Supper (Eucharist) was celebrated by
Mithraists, in the same manner as by Christians. Justin attributed this to
the influence of EVIL SPIRITS. Another Church Father, Tertullian in
commenting on similarities between many Church institutions and those in
Mithra worship, declared that "Satan imitates the sacraments of God. (Dei
sacramenta Satanas affectat. DE EXH. CAST., 13.).

 How Christian Themes were borrowed from the Pagans
According to the noted Catholic prelate and theologian, Cardinal Newman  (An 
Essay On The Development Of Christian Doctrine, pp. 359-360), the Emperor 
Constantine purposely adopted many of the mystery religion rites into 
Christianity to make it easier to convert pagans:

  "We are told in various ways by Eusebius, that Constantine, in order to   
   recommend the new religion to the heathen, transferred into it the outward 
   ornaments to which they had been accustomed in their own...The use of 
   temples, and these dedicated to particular saints, and ornamented on 
   occasions with branches of trees; incense, lamps, and candles; votive 
   offerings on recovery from illness; holy water; asylums; holydays and 
   seasons, use of calendars, processions, blessings on fields, sacerdotal 
   vestments, the tonsure, the ring in marriage, turning to the East, images at 
   a later date, perhaps the ecclesiastical chant, and the Kyrie Eleison, are 
   all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their adoption into the Church." 

   Indeed, most historians today agree that even Christmas, (which is NEVER 
mentioned in the New Testament) was originally a pagan holiday celebrating the 
birthday of the "Sun". This was later changed by Christians to be the birthday 
of the "Son". (Note a similar play on words existed in Latin on the words
"solis"--of the sun, vs. "salus"--salvation" similar to the English pun on
the words "son" and "sun".) Symbols from other pagan religions also found
their way into Christianity.

  The image of the Virgin Mary suckling the baby Jesus, is believed by many
scholars to be a fusion of two pagan female deities--the Roman goddess Diana
(virgin goddess of chastity, childbirth, and the moon) and the Egyptian
goddess Isis, (goddess of fertility). Isis was frequently depicted suckling
her child--the sun-god Horus--similar to how the Madonna Mary would later
be depicted nursing the baby Jesus. (See for example THE GOLDEN ASS by 
Apuleius.)  Other church rituals--such as the burning of incense and candles, 
the wearing of robes and vestments by the clergy, chants and hymns, along with 
the sacrament of wine and bread (symbolizing the "body" and "blood" of Christ), 
also probably have their roots in ancient pagan rituals.

  During the Saturnalia festival in December and the succeeding Kalends (New
Year) of January, ancient Romans decked their homes with evergreens, and
gave green branches to friends as good luck. Trees were decorated during the
Saturnalia in December with trinkets and candles, with an image of the sun
god at the tip of the tree. The festival of the goddess Isis (who was the
goddess of plants and life, as well as the mother of the sun god Horus), was
celebrated by taking palm branches into the home. Even the Druids decorated
oak trees with gilded apples and lighted candles during the winter solstice.
(The apples were a thanksgiving offering to Odin for bestowing fruits, while
the candles were lit in honor of the sun god Balder.)

   Around the second century C.E., early Christians had placed the birth of
Jesus around the spring equinox. However, not all early Christians were
convinced of the importance of celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ.
According to Origin, it was a sin to even consider celebrating Christ's
birthday " as if he were a King Pharaoh." Instead, early Christians celebrated
the day when Jesus was baptized (ie on the day of his Divine birth.)  December
6th (which coincides with the astronomical date on which days start to
lengthen again).  In Eastern Christianity, this became the universal date
on which to celebrate the birth of Christ (known as the Epiphany.)

  By the fourth century C.E., however, the pagan celebrations on December 25th
were very popular--even among Christians who enjoyed the festivities.
Therefore the Church authorities decided to declare it an official Christian
holiday, by celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday on it too.  Pope Julius I
(c. 309-352 C.E.), who ruled during the reign of Constantine, appears to have
been the first pope to have officially decreed that December 25th was to be
celebrated as the "Mass of Christ". The Byzantine emperor Flavius Justinian
made Christmas an official Roman holiday during his reign. (around 565 C.E.)

  Some of the symbols and legends associated with Hellenistic deities later
found their way into folk literature and the legends of the Virgin Mary and
the saints.  For example, the Catholic festival of the Assumption of the
Virgin Mary replaced that of the goddess Diana; the festival of St George
in April replaced that of the goddess Pales; and the festival of St. John
the Baptist in June replaced the water festivals of Adonis in midsummer.

Christmas Celebrations and Christmas Trees

  Many of the ancient pagan celebrations surrounding the winter solstice
involved decorating trees and exchanging gifts.  The Greeks held such
a celebration to commemorate the defeat of Chronos by Zeus.  Trees
(especially evergreen trees) were decorated with flowers and herbs in
honor of the victory.  As we have seen, during the Saturnalia, the Romans
also decorated their public buildings and homes with trees and boughs--often
topped with candles and small gifts.

  Among the pagan tribes of Northern Europe, trees were revered for
their role in providing shelter and fuel.  The Celts decorated evergreen
and oak trees with apples and mistletoe during the winter solstice to ward
off evil spirits. One variety of oak tree was associated with a mythical
godlike king who would appear dying towards the latter part of the year, but
turn immortal once the winter solstice had begun.

  As Europe became Christianized, these celebrations later became associated
with the tree of the Christ Child.  Religious passion plays on the story
of the Christian story celebrated a Paradise tree (said to be the Tree of Life
in the Garden of Eden).  During the sixteenth century in Germany, the Paradise
tree was merged into the Christmas light custom. There is a Protestant legend
that Martin Luther cut down a tall evergreen, brought it in his home and placed
lighted candles on it in celebration of Christmas.

  Christmas was celebrated in England (although at first without the Christmas
trees.) In 1647, the Puritan government under Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas
as a pagan celebration that had entered into Catholicism. Puritans believed
the holiday encouraged drinking, dancing, gambling, play acting and
other "evils". In an effort to stamp out the holiday, it was forbidden to
even eat Christmas dinners and plum puddings. Fines were imposed on those
attending religious plays on Christmas. The ban on Christmas proved extremely
unpopular with the English people.  Some ignored the ban outright, and closed
down their shops on Christmas day--in direct violation of the law. Feelings
ran so high for or against the ban, that violent riots erupted--during which
some people were killed. Resolutions were passed in some areas, asking for
the office of king to be reinstated. In 1660, when King Charles II was in
power, he re-instituted the holiday of Christmas.  The Christmas tree made an
appearance in 1841, when Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert (who
brought the custom over from his native Germany) celebrated the birth of
their first son with a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle. From then on,
Christmas trees were popular throughout England.

  In North America, German Hessian soldiers brought with them the
celebration of the Christmas tree. American Puritans (as with their
counterparts in England) banned the Christmas holiday as pagan--indeed a
Massachusetts law of 1659 fined anyone found guilty of celebrating on
Christmas, stating:

   "Anybody who is found observing, by abstinence from labor, feasting or
   any other way any such days as Christmas day, shall pay for every such
   offense five shillings."

  As a general rule, the Congregationalists, Quakers, Presbyterians,
Methodists and Baptists forbade their members to worship on Christmas.
However Anglicans (Episcopalians), Lutherans, and Catholics considered
Christmas a holy day. Christmas was not considered a federal legal holiday
until the nineteenth century. Businesses and schools did not close. Even
Congress was open in session on December 25th.  New Year's Day was celebrated
instead.

  Gradually during the middle and late 1800's, the celebration of Christmas
became so popular, that it began to be declared a state holiday. Alabama was
the first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday in 1836. By the time
of the Civil War another twenty eight states had also instituted Christmas
as a holiday. All U.S. states and territories recognized Christmas as a
holiday by 1890. Federal employees were given Christmas as a paid holiday,
beginning in 1885.  There was one temporary backslide when Teddy Roosevelt
banned trees from the White House as a symbol of his concern for the
environment. (This was quickly re-established).

  From the time it was declared a legal holiday, Christmas quickly became
commercialized-- and today the Christmas season is seen by many retailers as
their most important revenue generator, and a boost to the economy.  Today,
due to the great popularity of the Christmas season, most mainstream Christian
sects (with certain exceptions such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh
Day Adventists who still pronounce it a pagan holiday) have accepted Christmas
celebrations of Jesus' birth as part of their dogmas.

Origins of Mistletoe, Easter, and Halloween Celebrations

  The mistletoe has an interesting history. Ancient cultures held it sacred,
because while other plants lay bare in winter, it produced yellow flowers in
late winter.  The ancient Greeks believed that mistletoe could ward off evil.
The Roman mythical hero Aeneas took mistletoe with in the underworld as a
gift to Persephone, goddess of the seasons. The Druids cut down sacred mistletoe
using a golden sickle as part of the winter solstice ceremony. Worshippers
waiting below, caught the sprigs of mistletoe in the folds of their robes,
and gave gifts to the priest in return. These sprigs were then worn, or
placed over their doors to ward of evil spirits. All who entered received
a kiss of friendship.  During the fourth century, the use of mistletoe was
forbidden because of its idolatrous past. Instead holly was substituted--as
its sharp pointed leaves were said to symbolize the thorns placed on Christ's
crucifixion crown, and the red berries represented drops of his blood.  This
ban lasted throughout the Middle Ages, and even into the current century
by some churches.

  Easter (derived from the Latin word meaning earth goddess) was
celebrated by various religious groups.  Black Friday was observed, to
commemorate Mithra' slaying of the sacrificial bull which fertilized
the earth.  Worn out by battle, Mithra was symbolically depicted as a
corpse which was placed inside a sacred rock tomb.  After three days, he
was resurrected, in a festival of great rejoicing.

  Christian Easter celebrations appeared during the second century C.E., after
Christian missionaries encountered this holiday festival from Teutonic
tribes to the north of Rome. Christians noted how the ancient festival of
Eastre (pagan goddess of spring and offspring) coincided with the date on
which they celebrated the miracle of the Resurrection of Christ.  Soon,
both celebrations merged, whereby most of the rites and processions were
now performed in honor of Jesus Christ.  The name of the holiday was still
called Eastre--later spelled, "Easter".

  In 325 C.E., the Council of Nicaea declared that the date for Easter
should be celebrated on "the first Sunday after the first full moon on or
after the vernal equinox. Because of this edict, Easter even today is not
a fixed calendar holiday, but may fall anywhere from March 22 to April 25,
depending on the lunar cycle. (The cross was officially adopted as the
Christian symbol of worship, at the same council).

  According to the medieval Christian scholar, Bede (672-735 C.E.), the
ancient English pagans worshiped the goddess Eastre through her earthly
symbol, the rabbit. Easter eggs came from the belief that rabbits laid
eggs during the vernal equinox of spring. (Many ancient pagans believed eggs
to contain special powers over birth and resurrection. For example, according
to an ancient Roman proverb, "All life comes from an egg." ) Although
celebrated in parts of northern Europe such as Germany--the U.S. did not
celebrate Easter as a national holiday until after the Civil War. Religious
groups, led primarily by Presbyterians, sought to re-instate the Easter
story of the resurrection, as a source of hope and inspiration to destitute
and war-torn Americans. (Charles Panati, PANATI'S EXTRAORDINARY ORIGINS
OF EVERYDAY THINGS, Harper & Row, 1987, p56. )

  Halloween originated from a fifth century B.C.E. festival celebrated by
the ancient Celts in Ireland.  Called "All Hallows Eve", it was believed
that on October 31 (their official end of summer), that spirits of all
persons who had died the previous year, were free to possess any human or
animal body for the next year. (From there they would peacefully continue
on to a spiritual afterlife.)  The Irish Celts therefore put on frightening
costumes and acted in as noisy and disruptive a manner as possible--to
discourage the spirits from entering into their bodies to possess them.
In time, as the belief in spirit possession declined, the practice of
Halloween attained its current mischievous character--whereby people
dressed up to either play a prank, or to accept a bribe in the form of a
treat. The holiday of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by
Irish immigrants, who were fleeing the potato famine in their country.

  In the interests of time and space, the origins of other religious
holidays are not included here.  Most celebrations surrounding our
favorite religious holidays (Christmas, Easter, Halloween) were set
down only in the last century and a half.  (The reader is encouraged to
refer to other sources, if they are interested in this subject.)

                         *  *  *

  We have gone off on a tangent to describe how many of our most venerated
holidays have been powerfully influenced by ancient rites of the pagan
religions. In recognition of this, some Christian sects (a small minority)
refuse to celebrate Christmas and Easter, even today. However, most Christian
sects have reconciled these pagan rituals into their dogmas--by also
emphasizing the hard core message of Jesus' divinity and miracles.


  There is one last powerful force that we have not yet discussed--Gnosticism.
Gnostic Greeks were among the EARLIEST groups to convert to Christianity in
large numbers. However, instead of completely replacing their beliefs
with Christian ones, more often Christian gnostics merged their earlier gnostic
outlooks of the universe-- thus identifying their redeemer who brought
gnosis or knowledge of mankind--with the personage of Jesus Christ.


_______________________________________________________________________________
1. The following is a short astronomy lesson, explaining the significance of the 
winter solstice:  The earth revolves around the sun on its axis, tilting TOWARDS 
the sun for six months of the year (ie spring/ summer) and AWAY FROM the sun 
during the latter six months of the year (fall/winter). It is of course the tilt 
of the earth either towards or away from  the sun that determines the seasons. 
Because ancient people believed that they lived on a stationary earth, in winter 
time (as the earth tilted further and further away from the earth), this 
appeared to observers on the ground, as if the sun was setting further and 
further away each day along the horizon. Ancient peoples, watching the sun in 
the sky, worried that if this trend continued, then the sun could disappear 
forever beyond the horizon. On the winter solstice-- December 22nd, the sun 
appeared to hover for several days, after which it began returning closer to the 
earth. (ie the tilt of the earth began to shift in the other direction). For 
many ancient peoples, this astronomical event was a cause for celebration, and
the beginning of a new year. Actually December 25th was celebrated instead
of December 22, though, because it took two days for the sun to "reverse"
directions-- an optical illusion).