There's a lot more to Christmas than you think. What many people consider their favorite holiday, is also an amazing story that is annually etched in the cosmos. At its foundation is what seems like a choreographed astronomical dance, where the Sun reaches its lowest point (the winter solstice) then appears to sit still for 3 days, and then rises on Xmas day (the 25th)...that story sound familiar? Yes indeed, the death and resurrection of Jesus (Yeshua - Hebrew; Iēsoûs - Greek) elegantly illustrates this yearly cosmic occurrence.
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Unfortunately over time, these parallels have been used to fuel debates about the existence of Jesus. Believe what you want, but I say God is the architect of architects, and if he wanted to play out one of his particular stories in the heavens on a smaller, grosser plain like Earth he can do just that. Let's take a look at some of the parallels between this cosmic event and the death of Jesus Christ.
Death & Burial
According to the Gospels, Jesus was crucified and buried, representing a descent into the “darkness”. This aligns with the Sun’s symbolic death during the solstice, as it appears to reach its lowest point in the sky after the shortest day of sunlight on Earth.
Three Days in the Tomb
Jesus remained in the tomb for three days, a period of stillness and anticipation. Similarly, the Sun seems to pause on the horizon for approximately three days during the solstice, neither rising higher nor sinking lower.
Resurrection on the Third Day
On the third day, Jesus rose again, representing new life and light's triumph over darkness. This mirrors the Sun’s movement after the solstice, when it begins to climb higher in the sky, bringing longer days and renewed light.
So again, the winter solstice presents us with the year's shortest day and longest night. The following three days, our Sun appears to pause in its journey across the horizon, creating what many ancient cultures recognize as a cosmic moment of stillness. This "pause" carries deep significance, mirroring the universal pattern of transformation...stillness precedes renewal.
It's also important to note that the Christian story of Jesus Christ isn't the only archetype of deity associated with the winter solstice transition. There are earlier mythologies that celebrate this cosmic cycle:
- Osiris (Egyptian Mythology): Osiris, associated with death and rebirth, was restored to life by Isis after a period of stillness, symbolizing the renewal of life.
- Mithras (Persian and Roman Mythology): Although less explicitly tied to a three-day motif, Mithras’s birth and rebirth are connected to light’s return during the solstice.
- Inanna/Ishtar (Mesopotamian Mythology): Inanna descended into the underworld and was resurrected after three days, symbolizing the cycles of life and death.
- The Holly King and Oak King (Celtic Mythology): These twin archetypes represent the cyclical battle of light and dark. On the winter solstice, the Oak King (light) defeats the Holly King (darkness), symbolizing the Sun’s return and the lengthening of days.
Even though the modern celebration of Christmas focuses on external expressions like gifts and decorations, beneath it lies an ancient rhythm of death, stillness, and renewal. The holiday's pre-Christian roots, from Norse Yule to Roman Saturnalia, remind us that humans have long recognized this season as a threshold of transformation.
Significance of 3
The number three, appearing in both the solstice pause and spiritual traditions, points to the universal principle of completion: beginning, middle, end or thesis, antithesis, synthesis (TAS). This pattern reveals itself not only in religious doctrines but in the very structure of our existence. These principles are inescapable.
As we celebrate this season, let's be aware of its multiple aspects - whether astronomical, spiritual, or personal. The returning light gives us an opportunity to observe and participate in this celebration of renewal. You'll be surprise at how things seem to go your way when you're cosmically aligned.
Hopefully this understanding can enhance our experience of the season, allowing us to move beyond surface celebrations and dig a little deeper into the mysteries.
Happy Holy Days
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