The Origin of Christmas: Debunking Myths and Celebrating Traditions

Christmas is a tradition deeply rooted in many cultures, celebrated around the world with various customs and traditions. But what is the origin of this winter festival? Is it tied to pagan beliefs, or does it align more closely with religious traditions?

Historical Context of December 25

According to Britannica, the exact origin of assigning December 25th as the birth date of Jesus is unclear. The New Testament provides no clues regarding this specific date. However, December 25th was first identified as the date of Jesus' birth by Sextus Julius Africanus in 221 CE, and later it became the universally accepted date.

One widespread explanation for the selection of this date is that December 25th was the Christianizing of the dies solis invicti nati or "day of the birth of the unconquered sun". This day was a popular holiday in the Roman Empire that celebrated the winter solstice as a symbol of the resurgence of the sun, the casting away of winter, and the heralding of the rebirth of spring and summer.

Another view suggests that December 25th became the date of Jesus' birth by a priori reasoning. This reasoning identified the spring equinox as the date of the creation of the world and the fourth day of creation when the light was created. Thus, December 25th, nine months later, became the date of Jesus' birth. For a long time, the celebration of Jesus' birth was observed in conjunction with his baptism, celebrated on January 6th.

By the 9th century, Christmas began to be widely celebrated with a specific liturgy. Roman Catholic churches celebrate the first Christmas mass at midnight, while Protestant churches have increasingly held Christmas candlelight services late on the evening of December 24th.

A special service of lessons and carols intertwines Christmas carols with Scripture readings narrating the salvation history from the Fall in the Garden of Eden to the coming of Christ. This service, inaugurated by E.W. Benson and adopted at the University of Cambridge, has become widely popular.

The LDS Perspective

My own church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, celebrates Christmas on December 25th, like the rest of Christianity. However, we have canonized scripture that indicates Jesus was born on April 6th. This timing would make more sense, as shepherds watching their flocks by night during lambing season are common in the spring.

I personally love to read the scriptures about Jesus' nativity and sing the Christmas carols in December. I've always enjoyed the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree and exchanging gifts. However, I never promoted the idea of Santa Claus to my children beyond what they were exposed to culturally. As soon as they were old enough to not devastate other kids their age who believed in Santa, I taught them the historical facts surrounding Saint Nicholas and how our culture has changed the story.

Now, I live in a basement apartment with no space for a tree, so I purchased a wall-hanging with the stable scene to serve as my main Christmas decoration. Occasionally, I put it up on April 6th to celebrate the Savior's birth twice a year just for the fun of it.

Conclusion

While the origin of Christmas has pagan roots, it has been embraced by Christianity as a celebration of Jesus' birth. Whether December 25th or April 6th, both dates hold significance in their own ways. The important thing is to celebrate the spirit of the season, whether it be centered around the birth of Jesus or the cultural traditions that have been influenced by it over the centuries.