Random Pagan Holidays That Have Made Their Way Into Everyday Christianity (11 items)

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  (#9) The Days Of The Saints Bear Strong Similarities To The Days Of Pagan Gods

  Our modern names for the days of the week are pagan in origin, referring to a host of Norse, Roman, and animistic gods: Sunday for the Sun's Day, Monday for the Moon's Day, Tuesday from Tiu's Day, Wednesday from Woden's Day, Thursday from Thor's Day, Friday from Freya's Day, and Saturday from Saturn's Day.

  Each day of the week was meant to be dedicated to these gods, and centuries ago, even more names would have emerged from the polytheistic pantheons. Each god had their own domain and symbols dictating how they should be honored.

  These traditions carry on in the various days of the Catholic Saints, such as those of Joan of Arc and Thomas Aquinas. Just as in antiquity, these days are meant to honor a special religious figure, and each saint's tradition is associated with certain symbols and virtues.
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  (#4) Valentine's Day Was Once Lupercalia, A Celebration Of Wolves And Gods

  Lupercalia, an ancient Roman holiday, was meant to honor the god of fertility, named Lupercus, and the wolf that raised Romulus and Remus. The celebration began with priests of Lupercus, called Luperci, performing ritual sacrifices using goats and dogs. The Luperci would then disrobe and run through the streets, whipping willing women with strips of goat hide.

  Available men and women were then randomly coupled to spend Lupercalia together. While some of the festival's more extreme elements fell out of popularity, the ritual was still performed annually.

  The story goes that, in the late 5th century CE, Pope Gelasius I abolished Lupercalia in favor of St. Valentine's Day. While the pope likely didn't intend for Valentine's Day to become a celebration of love and passion, the underlying traditions of Lupercalia persisted.
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  (#8) New Year's Celebrations Predate Christianity By Thousands Of Years

  Though the date of the new year varies between cultures, the night and day of its arrival have always been significant. Ancient Babylonians celebrated a festival called Akitu during the vernal equinox. During this time, they carried statues of gods through the streets and conducted rituals to celebrate their success over monsters and chaotic forces.

  In ancient Rome, citizens decorated their homes with laurels and exchanged good wishes and gifts on January 1.

  Wary of close connections with pagan new-year celebrations, the Christian church initially abolished January 1 as an annual marker and discouraged festivities. Over time, however, January 1 was reestablished as the first day of the new year, and variations of the pagan festivities eventually reemerged.
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  (#1) The Easter Bunny Is An Amalgamation Of Several Mythological Beasts

  Historians of the Middle Ages recorded stories of the Germanic goddess, Eostre, who was master over birth and all things related to fertility. Rabbits, symbols of rapid breeding, were supposedly her cherished pets and servants. One story tells of Eostre postponing spring, causing a bird to freeze in the snow. Taking pity on the animal, the goddess transformed it into a rabbit that could lay multicolored eggs.

  Though the traditions of Eostre are debated among mythology experts, Germany does appear to be the origin of the modern Easter Bunny story. German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought the legend of the Osterhase or Oschter Haws to America, which tells of a magical hare that could lay colorful eggs in nests prepared by expectant children. Over time, other gifts, such as chocolate, were integrated into the tradition, and the nests transformed into the baskets of typical Easter convention. 
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  (#2) The Christmas Tree Is Rooted In Druidic, German, And Roman Traditions

  Evergreen trees, which stay hale and hearty even through freezing winters, have long been a powerful symbol of endurance and fertility. Several pagan traditions have passed this symbol down to Christians, including the Roman celebration of Saturnalia. One way Romans decorated for Saturnalia was to bring evergreen boughs and wreaths into their homes.

  Celts would also bring evergreen trees into their homes at wintertime, as would Germanic people of various pagan religions. This latter group brought the tradition of the Christmas tree to the United States when they immigrated in the 18th century.
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  (#10) Mother’s Day And Father’s Day Were Originally Celebrations Of Greek And Roman Gods

  The concept of a "Mother Church" is rooted in many religions, particularly those of ancient Greece and Rome. Goddesses such as Rhea, mother of the gods, and Magna Mater, the great mother, were worshipped at festivals designed to celebrate their grand motherhood.

  As Christianity spread, these mother goddess celebrations were absorbed into the more broad notion of the "Mother Church," as well as a portion of Lent celebrations. The fourth Sunday of Lent was once known as "Mothering Sunday," an occasion for Christians to honor their mothers with gifts and cakes. This eventually coincided with the celebration of the Mother Church. A similar lineage can also be traced for Father's Day.

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