The True Christmas Story
Christian authors are quick to deny that Christianity is just a copy of older pagan religions—Jesus as just Mithra/Horus/Dionysus version 2.0 that Christians copied as the Gospels. As usual, the point has been missed. People who understand archetypes don’t care if details don’t match. They are not interested in proving historical facts or the matching of details in fantasy either. The abstract meaning of stories around the world in all times at this time of the year tell the story of destruction, resurrection and salvation. They depict the soul’s progression towards salvation. That is what is important about them. And, though, they may copy each other, most are taken from cosmic patterns of the winter solstice. The sun has reached its farthest point from us in its trajectory at that time, when we have the shortest day and longest night, symbolizing the death of the sun and its resurrection as it swings back towards its center. The sun plays an important feature in every single creation myth on earth. Something has always stuck in my mind about Osiris. He was the SUN GOD, not the Son of God. Is it coincidental that Jesus had 12 disciples and there are 12 planets in the Heavens? Why do things look suspiciously like cosmic patterns in the Jesus story? The distinctions below may be fanciful, but the archetypal symbology of all spiritual pursuits and beliefs are the same.
It is claimed, Mithraism taught that Mithras was:
Born of a virgin
Born in a cave
Born on Dec. 25th
Considered a great traveling teacher
Had twelve disciples
Promised his followers immortality
Sacrificed himself for world peace
Was buried in a tomb
Rose again three days later
Instituted a Eucharist
And Dionysus:
He was a traveling teacher who performed miracles.
Dionysus was born of a virgin on December 25th and, as the Holy Child, was placed in a manger.
He “rode in a triumphal procession on a donkey which carries him to meet his passion with crowds waving bundles of branches.
He was a sacred king killed and eaten in a eucharistic ritual for fecundity and purification.
Dionysus rose from the dead on March 25th.
He was the God of the Vine, and turned water into wine at the marriage of Dionysus and Ariadne.
He was called “King of Kings” and “God of Gods.” He was considered the “only Begotten Son,” “Savior,” “Redeemer,” “Sin Bearer,” “Anointed One,” and the “Alpha and Omega.”
He was identified with the Ram or Lamb.
He was hung on a tree or crucified.
Dionysus becomes the wine and is himself ‘poured out’ as an offering.
Attis:
Attis was born on December 25th of the Virgin Nana.
He was considered the savior who was slain for the salvation of mankind.
His body as bread was eaten by his worshippers.
His priests were “eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven.”
He was both the Divine Son and the Father.
On “Black Friday,” he was crucified on a tree, from which his holy blood ran down to redeem the earth.
He descended into the underworld.
After three days, Attis was resurrected on March 25th (as tradition held of Jesus) as the “Most High God.”
He was pictured as being hung from a tree with the picture of a lamb at his feet and later his empty grave was found.
Similar claims have been made for the Egyptian Mystery cults of Osiris and Horus as well. But whether Christianity, Mithraism, the Egyptian Mysteries or Dionysus, they all are saying the same things. Death and rebirth is the path to God. This is a Cosmic, sacred act of renewal. And there isn’t a ritual performed on any given day of worship of any religion that isn’t always pointing to this. Christians, themselves, have lightening in a bottle and you might be surprised by how many open the lid.