Jesus as an Incarnation of Compassion: How Christianity Absorbed Cultures Across Europe

I am very clear in my understanding of Jesus: if one speaks of or believes in God as an incarnation of compassion, then Jesus fits that idea to a great extent. His life and character—his embrace of lepers, his acceptance of those labeled immoral, his engagement with women, and his opposition to elitism symbolized by wine and privilege—were deeply rooted in compassion.

When Christianity began to spread across Europe and its influence expanded throughout the continent, myths and symbols were created to incorporate different cultures. Examples include the Christmas tree and Saint Nicholas, whom we now know as Santa Claus. Both Santa Claus and the Christmas tree originate from Germanic culture and predate Christianity.

Many people may not know that the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree was popularized by the British royal family. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Consort Albert, decorated it for the first time, having brought the practice with him under the influence of Germanic traditions from what is today Austria and Germany.

The Victorian era, the age of Queen Victoria, played a major role in shaping traditions in world history, including the evolution of language. Many scholars of English still recognize that Victorian or Shakespearean English is often used as a measure of refinement and elitism.

In a similar way, when Jesus of Jordan and Israel was accepted by the Roman Emperor Constantine, his appearance and attire were transformed to resemble Roman and Greek gods. He was depicted with the same cloak and divine aura associated with those deities. As a symbol of this, Roman Caesars wore crowns made of olive leaves.

Later, when the Gallic king Charlemagne elevated Christianity to its peak, churches dedicated to Mother Mary became prominent in France. This was because the Merovingian lineage was linked to the Gallic nobility. In effect, Jesus underwent a complete transformation—much like how, in Hindu culture, incarnations are also reimagined and adapted.

How could a friend of poor fishermen, whose foster father worked as a carpenter, become the god of Roman Catholicism without change? Thus, Jesus was portrayed as a charming figure with a neatly trimmed beard, similar to Zeus. Likewise, in the depiction of Lucifer, one can see the image of the Greek god of the underworld, Hades—who was also shown with horns.

Another fascinating fact is that the Council of Nicaea, convened to define Christianity, also decided that Jesus’s birthday would be celebrated on December 25. However, the December 25 of that time is not the same as today’s date, as the calendar has since changed.

At that time, December 25 roughly corresponded to what is now December 22, which the Celts observed as the Winter Solstice—a highly significant day for them. This date was chosen to incorporate Celtic traditions. Similarly, although Jesus spoke Aramaic, his words were written in Latin in the Holy Bible.

This was because Aramaic was not understood by Romans, Celts, Gauls, or Germanic peoples. Over time, Latin itself became the sacred language. Had there not been a conflict between Henry VIII and the Church, it is possible that a more liberal version of Christianity—and even the Renaissance—might never have emerged.

Whatever the case, this is why Christianity is more flexible in nature. Its formation itself is the result of the merging and acceptance of many cultures. The so-called “Dark Era” of Christianity arose largely due to increased Christian rigidity in reaction to Islam.

Otherwise, no Christian can go beyond Jesus’s core teachings of forgiveness, love, sharing food, and equality. Jesus was neither a robber nor someone who viewed women as objects of pleasure. He believed in forgiveness above all. That is why calling Jesus an incarnation of compassion is not incorrect.

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Harishankar Shahi

This article is written by Harishankar Shahi, a journalist with in-depth knowledge of finance, politics, and science. He is known for presenting complex topics in a clear, factual, and reader-friendly manner. His writing focuses on analysis, context, and real-world impact, helping readers better understand issues that shape the economy, governance, and society. His Facebook profile link:

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