Pagan Roots of The Bible

As far back as 10 thousand B.C.E., history is abundant with carvings and writings reflecting people's respect for the sun. Ancient cultures understood that the sun brought light and warmth that scared away the night time predators and made the crops grow. People were also very aware of the moon and stars and would note their movements.
The cross of the Zodiac, one of the oldest conceptual images in human history, reflects the sun as it figuratively passes through the 12 major constellations over the course of a year. It also shows the 12 months of the year, the 4 seasons, the solstices and equinoxes. The term Zodiac relates to the fact that constellations were personified as figures and animals.
Early civilizations did not just follow the sun and stars; they personified them with elaborate stories involving their movements and relationships. The sun, with its life-giving qualities was personified as a representative of the creator or god. Likewise, the 12 constellations represented places the sun traveled and were identified by names. The names usually represented elements of nature that happened during that particular time. (i.e.: Aquarius: the water bearer who brings the spring rains)

Horus was the Sun God of Egypt around 3000 BC. He represented the sun and his life story was a series of allegorical myths involving the sun's movement in the sky. From the ancient hieroglyphics in Egypt, we know much about this solar messiah. For instance, Horus, being the sun, or the light, had an enemy known as Set. Set was the personification of the darkness or night. Every morning, Horus would win the battle against Set - while in the evening; Set would conquer Horus and send him into the underworld. Note that "dark vs. light" or "good vs. evil" is one of the most ubiquitous mythological dualities ever known and is still expressed on many levels to this day.

In general, the story of Horus is as follows: Horus was born on December 25th of the virgin Isis-Meri. His birth was accompanied by a star in the east, which in turn, three kings followed to locate and adorn the new-born savior. At the age of 12, he was a child teacher, and at the age of 30 he was baptized by a figure known as Anup and thus began his ministry. Horus had 12 disciples and performed miracles such as healing the sick and walking on water. Horus was known by many names such as The Truth, The Light, God's Anointed Son, The Good Shepherd and The Lamb of God. After being betrayed by Typhon, Horus was crucified, buried for 3 days and then resurrected.
Whether the myth of Horus is original or repeated from an earlier culture is unclear. What is clear is that this general story outline can be found in many cultures around the world.

• Attis, of Phyrigia, born of the virgin Nana on December 25th, crucified, placed in a tomb and after 3 days, was resurrected.
  
• Krishna, of India, born of the virgin Devaki with a star in the east signaling his coming, performed miracles with his disciples, and upon his death was resurrected.

• Dionysus of Greece, born of a virgin on December 25th, was a traveling teacher who performed miracles such as turning water into wine, he was referred to as the "King of Kings," "God's Only Begotten Son," "The Alpha and Omega," and many others, and upon his death, he was resurrected.

• Mithra, of Persia, born of a virgin on December 25th, he had 12 disciples and performed miracles, and upon his death was buried for 3 days and thus resurrected, he was also referred to as "The Truth," "The Light," and many others. Interestingly, the sacred day of worship of Mithra was Sunday.

• Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, his birth was announced by a star in the east, which three kings or magi followed to locate and adorn the new savior. He was a child teacher at 12, at the age of 30 he was baptized by John the Baptist, and thus began his ministry. Jesus had 12 disciples which he traveled about with performing miracles such as healing the sick, walking on water, raising the dead, he was also known as the "King of Kings," the "Son of God," the "Light of the World," the "Alpha and Omega," the "Lamb of God," and many others. After being betrayed by his disciple Judas and sold for 30 pieces of silver, he was crucified, placed in a tomb and after 3 days was resurrected and ascended into Heaven.

So why does this theme echo through so many cultures and proclaimed prophets? What is so special about that date? These stories are based on solar and astrological events. The star in the east is Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, which, on December 24th, aligns with the 3 brightest stars in Orion's Belt. These 3 bright stars are refered to as The Three Kings. The Three Kings and the brightest star, Sirius, all point to the place of the sunrise on December 25th.This is why the Three Kings follow the star in the east, in order to locate the sunrise or the birth of the sun.

The Virgin Mary equates to the constellation Virgo also known as Virgo the Virgin. Virgo in Latin means virgin. The ancient symbol for Virgo is the altered "m". This is why Mary along with other virgin mothers, such as Adonis's mother Myrrha, or Buddha's mother Maya begin with an M.Virgo is also referred to as the House of Bread and is represented as a virgin holding a sheaf of wheat. The House of Bread and its symbol of wheat represent August and September or the time of harvest. Bethlehem, in fact, literally translates to "house of bread" and is a reference to the constellation Virgo , a place in the sky, not on Earth.

There is another astrological event that occurs around December 25th. From the summer solstice to the winter solstice, the days become shorter and colder. From the perspective of the northern hemisphere, the sun appears to move south and get smaller. The shortening of the days and the expiration of the crops when approaching the winter solstice symbolized the process of death. By December 22nd, the Sun's “death” is fully realized. Having moved south continually for 6 months, the Sun makes it to its lowest point in the sky. It is at this point that the Sun appears to stop moving south for 3 days. During this 3 day pause, the Sun resides in the vicinity of the Southern Cross, or Crux, constellation. After December 25th, the Sun begins to move 1 degree north or ‘rises’. And so it was said: the Sun died on the cross, was dead for 3 days, only to be resurrected or born again. This is why Jesus and numerous other Sun Gods share the crucifixion, 3 day death, and resurrection concept. It is the Sun's transition period before it shifts its direction back into the Northern Hemisphere, bringing spring.

The resurrection of the Sun wasn’t celebrated until the spring equinox, or Easter. This is because at the spring equinox, the Sun officially overpowers the evil darkness, as daytime becomes longer in duration than night.