oh what a coincidence that jesus was born at christmas, the time of the pagan Yule. pagans have been around much longer.
216400
Thank you for asking this question. Very good point. I am a Pagan, and Paganism pre-dates Chrisitianity and our festivals did come first. Any book will confirm this!
488448
first of what is of importance is the fact that no where in the bible did Jesus command anyone to celebrate his birthday. he said to celebrate his death but not his birth.  in the third century of our common era as the roman empire was in decline . Constantine in order to solidify his power over the empire merged the Christian faith and the pagan faith, into one, a lot of the false doctrine that we now claim as christian came into being.  Jesus was born when the sheep where in the fields history has shown that DEC is still to cold to keep the flocks out at night.  the Christmas tree came into being in The 19th century, and Santa Claus as we know him today was started in the 17th century, the English oxford dictionary published in 1904 under Santa Claus says see Old nick. under old nick it says Satan the Devil.  the pagans in  Constantine time celebrated the winter solace, and a lot of its pagan roots are in Christmas today the giving of gifts , the mistletoe, etc
466052
Have often wondered that myself.The whole Xmas tree and decos,cards and White Christmas theme can be blamed on Queen Victoria and her husband Albert.He was German, and in Europe they have had a combination of the St.Nicolaus (Santa) gift giving and a larger celebration for a few centuries.Though the day of gift giving varies from Xmas day in some countries.In England it used to be on the 26th ,that's why its called Boxing Day.\n But as to why it continued on after the Victorian era ,I have no idea!\n   As you know Jesus was not born anywhere near Xmas.But many other Gods were.So Christianity "adopted" it. \n An obvious reason for its perpetuation is its commercial potential,its been pounded into us so much that we feel the good old post/Christian guilt if we don't buy presents and take part in family rituals and traditions on that day.\n I get a bit 'narked because it is my birthday on the 25th Dec. and it gets lost in among the Xmas trappings.\nSo I have an excuse to celebrate on that date even though I don't pretend to be Christian.
2724
Yes. In fact, almost all of the traditions of Christmas were "stolen" (if you will) by the Christian religion from the pagan celebration of the winter solstice.\n\nAnd, by the way, "pagan" doesn't mean satanic, nor does it mean "having no religion" in this context. Rather, in ancient Rome, pagans followed a polytheistic religion.\n\nThe winter celebration was called the festival of Saturnalia. "By the fourth century, the pagans were worshipping the god of the sun on December 25, and the Christians came to a decision: if you can't stop 'em, join 'em. They claimed (contrary to known fact) that the date was Jesus' birthday, and usurped the solstice holiday for their Church."\n\nLights were very much a representation of the stars and sun, as a way to celebrate the pleasures of life.
506842
Many of the customs were borrowed from Pagan traditions.  It does not mean Xmas and Easter are pagan holidays.  Where did you get this stuff??\n\nYou can celebrate anything you want.  It's a free country.
65898
Examine the Biblical account regarding the "gift of the Magi". You will find it recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 2. There is no mention of any birthday celebration, nor is any specific time given, though obviously it was some time after Jesus’ birth. In verse 1, Matthew calls the visitors “astrologers [Greek, ma´goi] from eastern parts,” hence pagans with no knowledge of Jehovah God. The star these men followed led them, not directly to Jesus’ birthplace in Bethlehem, but to Jerusalem, where King Herod ruled.\n\nWhen this wicked ruler heard them inquiring about “the one born king of the Jews,” he sought out the priests to find exactly “where the Christ was to be born” so that he could have the child killed. The priests answered by quoting Micah’s prophecy that located Messiah’s birthplace in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2) Herod hypocritically instructed his visitors: “Go make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found it report back to me, that I too may go and do it obeisance.” The astrologers went on their way, and the star “went ahead of them, until it came to a stop above where the young child was.” Notice that he is described as a “young child,” not as a newborn baby.—Matthew 2:1-10.\n\nAs befitted Oriental magnates visiting a ruler, the pagan astrologers fell down and “presented [the young child] with gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew adds: “However, because they were given divine warning in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another way.”—Matthew 2:11, 12.\n\nFrom this brief Scriptural account, some people might attempt to find support for their Christmas gift giving. Nevertheless, Discovering Christmas Customs and Folklore explains that the current custom of giving gifts finds its roots in the Saturnalia gifts that Romans offered their poor neighbors. “The early church . . . cleverly transferred its significance to a ritual commemoration of the gifts of the Magi.” What a contrast this is to the true worshipers—such as the humble shepherds—who simply praised God at Jesus’ birth!
4371
The only reason Christmas is put on December 25th was to replace a popular Roman Pagan holiday. A lot of the customs of that holiday remains today. Most scholors believe Jesus was born in springtime, due to the passage of the shephards, but there is no evidence besides that.
459233
Christmas is the day Jesus was born. The meaning of it is he was brought here to save us of our sins and he died for our sins. The presents our to give, just as the day Jesus was born the wise men gave presents to him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
348243
i totally agree with you on everything that you said, that is why my family celebrates the real meaning of Christmas which is Christ.  The world has so corrupted this sacred holiday that it no longer carries with it any meaning!!  the devil has done what he always does, taken Christ out and put something else in His place.
432979
Well, here in America, there is a movement afoot to return Christ to Christmas again. In Portland, Maine we are having an argument about what to call the Christmas tree in our town square. The city fathers insist it is a holiday tree, so as not to offend anyone, but of course all the Christians are offended because they know it's a Christmas tree. Great attitude to set the stage for a happy Christmas, huh. And so it goes. I just spent about three hours up in our attic trimming down all our Christmas things and I brought it over to the waitstaff where we have our lunch every day - Newick's Restaurant. Now I have just TWO boxes of things as compared to FOURTEEN boxes a year ago. You have to get the whole thing under control or you will knock yourself out for nothing all over again. Every year is the same. But if you take it all apart before the season "kicks in" (gets under way), then there is a good chance you will be able to get it under control. But you have to be determined. Some people go all out at Christmas, and they also decorate their homes with millions of lights. My partner and I have been together for forty-seven years and we are very modest now in our celebration of the season. We have a four-foot little tree with lots of little coloured lights that twinkle in the darkened living room, and it looks just lovely. Between the two of us we send about forty cards. Three gifts. And that is it. I like to meditate on Christmas in complete silence, because that is where I find the real meaning to me of what Christmas and Christ are all about. By the way, Merry Christmas to you and everyone reading this. Sent with happy energies from Chris in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A. (I am 63 years old.)
484889
"Jesus was born during the Jewish feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot.\nIt is happy celebration and a time of joy and rejoicing. Jesus is our joy. This makes sense."\n\nyes, it does.\n\n"That is why all the rooms were gone in Bethlehem too."\n\nactually, this probably makes sense too, PLUS with all the people from the tax thing. your explanation makes sense, and also, that might be why the Romans decidend to take taxes then, becuase the people would all be in one place anyways.\n\n"It is NOT wrong to celebrate Christ's birth any day. Just trying to let you know, he was born in the feast of joy! PRAISE HIM!"\n\nAMEN! he is worthy of praise, celebrate his love EVERYDAY!
371639
Check out wikpedia.org  or search history of christmas\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas\nChristmas has its origins in several pagan holidays. The Roman celebration known as Saturnalia included the making and giving of small presents (saturnalia et sigillaricia). This holiday was observed over a series of days beginning on December 17 (the birthday of Saturn), and ending on December 25 (the birthday of Sol Invictus, the "unconquered sun". The combined festivals resulted in an extended winter holiday season. Business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There was drinking, gambling, and singing, and nudity was relatively common. It was the "best of days," according to the poet Catullus.[3]\n\nDuring the time in which Christianity was spreading throughout the Roman Empire, another similar religion known as Mithraism was also gaining widespread acceptance. The followers of Mithraism worshipped Mithras, a god of Persian origin, who was identified with Sol Invictus. The followers of Mithraism, consequently, adopted the birthday of Sol Invictus as the birthday of Mithras. In 274 AD, due to the popularity of Mithraism, Emperor Aurelian designated December 25 as the festival of Sol Invictus.
463529
Does it really matter why we celebrate Christ's birth in December.\n\nk1
565536
INTERESTING HOW YOU JUST HAPPEN TO ASK THAT SPECIFIC DATE :)\n\nYOUR ON TO SOMETHING.  STAY ON IT. YOUR ON THE RIGHT TRACK.\n\nNOBODY KNOWS. THATS BIBLICAL.  THE BIBLE SAYS: THE HOUR OR DAY.  IT DOESN'T SAY THE YEAR CAN NOT BE KNOWN.!\n\nNobody can know the year. very simple reason. NOBODY know's if Jesus was born on a Leap Year.\n\nYou are into the number crunch or know someone who is.\n\nIt could be 2007 or 2012. you can't know yet. If we go through 2007, then Jesus WAS born on a leap year. :)  Keep your eyes on 2012.\n\ngreat question.  have a good week.
412646
1) The appearance of the Star was supposed to be a miraculous event.  Tracking naturally repeating occurrences may or may not show anything.\n\n2) I do not feel Christmas needs to be moved.  The important thing is that we celebrate Jesus' birth, not that we have the exact day correct.\n\n3) The day of 25 Dec was chosen EXACTLY because of Saturnalia...and much the same reason that Jewish people today give lavish gifts as Hanukkah.  Christian leaders (1) wanted their followers to be able to continue in traditions, (2) not be left out of festivities, and (3) convert others.
115592
Most Christian and other religions holidays came from the Pagans.  Christmas was Yule, the celebration of the rebirth of the sun.  Christians took the holidays and turned them into something else to denounce the old ways and elevate them above their roots.  It is from the pagan traditions that the Easter bunny and eggs came about, not from Christian.
540917
The 25th of December was also the birthday of the Roman god Mithras () and the Greek hero Dionysus. Mithras was known as the unconquered sun, hence his association with the solstice time. Early Christianity adopted the 25th as Christ's birthday around the 3rd or 4th century BC birthday, as the early scriptures do not record the day of Christ's birth. This is generally accepted to have been a way of amalgamating Christmas with the older festival of the sun, which was still being observed by the Pagan community. It also helped to replace the worship of Mithras, which once rivalled Christianity in popularity\n\nFootnote\nFather Christmas or Santa Claus is based on St Nicholas who is the patron saint of children, canonised after resurrecting three boys after they had been murdered. He was associated with the giving of gifts to the poor and needy, and was widely famed for his generosity. Over the centuries his image became amalgamated with other archetypes to become Father Christmas.