By Ryan Fortune
AS Christmas approaches - a season of shopping sprees, awkward family gatherings, and overeating - it seems fitting to reflect on the story of Jesus Christ, a tale that has shaped the thinking and behaviour of billions of people for over two millennia.
But wait, before you don your Santa hat and start humming "Silent Night," let’s consider another ancient narrative: the myth of Horus, the ancient Egyptian god whose story is suspiciously similar to that of Jesus, raising some uncomfortable questions about the origins of the Christmas story and the myths we unconsciously live by.
Horus was born under circumstances that would put modern soap operas to shame. His mother, Isis, magically conceived him after reassembling her dead husband, Osiris. (No need to ask how; just go with it.) Horus was born to restore balance and justice, and he spent his early years in hiding to avoid being killed by his uncle Set, who had a thing for fratricide and power grabs. Later, Horus grew up, fought Set, avenged his father, and restored order. Quite the overachiever.
Enter Jesus Christ, whose story, as told in the Gospels, hits eerily familiar beats:
Virgin Birth: Horus was born of Isis, a virgin mother. Jesus? Also born of a virgin, Mary. Coincidence? Maybe.
Divine Dad: Horus’ father was Osiris, a god. Jesus? Son of God. Apparently, divinity runs in the family for both.
Infant Assassination Attempts: Horus had to hide from Set. Jesus fled to Egypt to dodge Herod’s massacre. Running for your life as a baby: check.
Saviour Complex: Horus was a symbol of restoration and salvation. Jesus is literally called the Saviour. Spot the difference?
Death and Resurrection: Horus’ story involves symbolic resurrection themes. Jesus? Full-on resurrection, complete with dramatic reappearances.
It’s almost as if the story of Jesus borrowed some well-worn mythological tropes. Shocking, I know.
The parallels between Jesus and Horus - and other figures like Mithras, Krishna, and Dionysus - suggest that humanity has a thing for recycling certain storylines. Virgin births, heroic struggles, and divine redemption are universal crowd-pleasers. They tap into deep-seated archetypes about hope, renewal, and triumph over adversity. But here’s the kicker: if Jesus’ story mirrors earlier myths, what does that say about the other stories we cling to? Let’s face it: we’re all suckers for a good story, even the mundane ones. Consider these gems:
The Myth of Progress: We tell ourselves that every new gadget or innovation is a step toward utopia. Meanwhile the planet burns and social inequality deepens. But hey, at least your phone has 3D emojis now.
The Myth of the Good Life: Ads bombard us with visions of happiness involving shiny cars, oversized houses, and perfect Instagram smiles. The result? A treadmill of consumerism that leaves us broke and unfulfilled.
The Myth of Human Nature: “The poor will always be with us,” they say. “Humans are inherently greedy and warlike.” These tired clichés justify systemic injustice and endless wars. How convenient.
These dead stories keep us stuck, shackled to patterns of exploitation, competition, and blind obedience to authority. Yet, we rarely stop to question them.
Here’s a radical thought: what if we stopped recycling dead narratives and started writing better ones?
Imagine:
- Swapping the myth of progress for a story about balance and sustainability, where growth doesn’t come at the planet’s expense.
- Redefining the good life as one rich in purpose, creativity, and community rather than possessions.
- Rejecting the idea that humans are inherently selfish and embracing our potential for kindness, empathy, and cooperation.
This Christmas, as you sit by the tree - or scroll your phone under it - take a moment to question the stories that shape your world.
Whether it’s Jesus, Horus, or the myth of progress, every narrative has the power to inspire or imprison. The choice is yours: keep clinging to dead myths, or dare to dream up new ones that actually serve humanity’s highest aspirations. After all, isn’t it time we updated our collective script?
Fortune is a techno-realist who helps businesses adapt to new digital innovations. He can be contacted at https://topmate.io/ ryan_fortune