While researching crucifixion artwork from the 12th to 16th centuries, I noticed that many paintings had a Santa Claus type figure included in the painting. Usually a red cap and red clothing. In other paintings, the majority of people in attendance at the crucifixion were dressed in red or green---the traditional christmas colors. Because this theme seemed to be repeated through the ages, it made me question what it could possibly be symbolizing.
Could it be that the crucifixion actually took place at a different time of year than what is traditionally promoted by christianity? Could the crucifixion have happened in late fall or winter, rather than spring?
As I began to look for answers, I came upon information of a December holiday which preceded Christmas. It was known as Childermass.
Childermass was observed as the day when king Herod ordered all children under 2 years old to be killed. It was "celebrated" on Dec. 28.
Historians say that it was actually his own children --which were of Maccabean blood--- that Herod killed. Could Herod have really been in fear that some peasant child might uprise and try to take his throne? Were these murders all based on circumventing a "prophecy"?
Scholars surmise that the story could be rooted in the same pattern of Exodus where the Pharoah killed all the first born Hebrew children.
Again, scholars pose a theological problem with Matthews account. Matthew presents the Massacre of the Innocents as fulfilment of Hosea and Jeremiah and in so doing, takes the event out of context.
According to their summation, Hosea is referring to the Exodus and Jeremiah is referring to the Babylonian exile.
The Slaughter of the Innocents presents an unusual twist in that the story claims 10,000 children were massacred and "died for Jesus" (prior to Jesus even being known or named!) Believers are used to the story of Jesus dying for others---not the other way around.
My questions:
Was Christmas actually a holiday that began as a celebration of the massacre of innocent children?
Was Jesus actually crucified not in the spring, but on the actual Day of Atonement which was Yom Kippurim?
Was the account of Herod's massacre just a retelling of the stories of old from the days of Pharoah/Moses?
