On December 25 we celebrate much more than the birth of Christ. If we do not use the same words to make this highlight of the year meaningful, believers or not, a common denominator unites us. Without bothering with scientific details, let us first agree, after a careful reading of the sacred texts, that Christ was not born in the year 0. Did he see the light of day in -4? In -6? Specialists are wondering. But the most interesting is not the year, but the day of the nativity. December 25 is a date fixed late, in the 4th century, by the fathers of the Church, the Bible does not mention a specific date.
For a long time and specifically in the East, his birth was set for January 6 to thwart, or recover depending on the point of view, the feast of the rebirth of Dionysus.
Why December 25?
This corresponded to the feasts of the solstice among many peoples and in particular to the feast of the Sol Invictus, the birth of the Unconquered Sun of the Romans. The end of long nights, the victory of light over darkness are then celebrated. We thus understand all the comparisons of Christ to the sun.
By placing the birth of Christ on December 25, the Church was able to merge into a festive structure that already existed and replaced pagan cults. In addition, tracing the etymology of the term “Christmas” gives rise to a fascinating debate. For a majority of historians and for Christians this word derives its origin from the Latin “natalis” (birth) still giving navidad in spanish or Nadal in the south of France. For others, partisans of a pagan vision of the thing, it is necessary to see there “New Helle”, “new clarity”, expression which would have bequeathed to us the Franks.
The new day
The Baque country is no exception to this movement and the very term Eguberri ”(Christmas), literally the“ New Day ”testifies to it. In the South West as elsewhere, fire has a preponderant place to represent this cult. We tend to forget him, but if he is a major player in the summer solstice, with the famous fires of Saint John, he is also a major player in the winter solstice. Let us think of the city of Capbreton with the tradition of the Torrèle, consisting of making a large fire in a square, around which the inhabitants gather.
One more word. A Saint John is celebrated, in winter this time, on December 27: Saint-Jean L’Evangéliste! The author of the Apocalypse promising the victory of Christ after dark ages. Any comparison to a certain time of year that sees the light conquer the darkness is … full of common sense.