Why do the Christians think that Christmas is 'their' holiday?

Answer 1

Because they never cared to study its origins as a PAGAN holiday, maybe?

Answer 2

We don't think of it as "Our" holiday, we know the origins are pagan. When Christianity was illegal, the tradition was that we hid our holidays in the pagan ones, as not to open ourselves to persecution. See, if you weren't somewhere doing something on that day, it was a cause of alarm to your neighbors. But, the Christians would meet on those days, and find a truth of Christianity in those days. Like the evergreen at Christmas would remind us of the eternal life of Christ that will not fade. Little things. Some early church fathers believe that Jesus' actual birthday was the same day he died, which was in March. When Christianity finally became legalized, the times of the season were now a part of tradition.

Our God is without time, if you are able to believe, everyday is Pascha, or as the West calls it, Easter. We order our holidays around a year, but we are not subjected to that year as such. We have the freedom to worship God everyday.

So, what was a way of avoiding persecution, is now a tradition. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Christ Mass. However, I doubt that many Christians practice it as a spiritual day as opposed to a materialistic day. I KNOW why it is celebrated in December, it was originally to somehow try to incorporate the Pagan celebration of Yule (which is actually a few days earlier). The early Christians had to do something about the Pagans to try to entice them into Christianity (including using the actual Pagan places of worship to build their churches), and I guess that is the only thing they could think of at the time. Jesus was most likely born in March or April. I really doubt there were very many Spring Lambs born in December. If you look at all Christian Holidays you will find that they are on or near Pagan Holidays.

Answer 4

We don't possessively claim Christmas as our own - at least I don't and I'm a Christian. Traditionally, Christians celebrate the birth of Christ on this day. I don't care about where it's roots came from (as described above - with me and my family it's a tradition). Christians do not know when Jesus was actually born. To me, His birth date is really irrelevant. Just like Mothers' Day or Thanksgiving, or any other holiday for that matter, Christmas is a "collective" holiday. A day for celebrating. I hope that whatever faith/belief/spirituality you and your family have, you will have a joyous day. One of giving and love. That you will find peace. Celebrate in whatever fashion you "traditionally" do on this day and enjoy. And I will pray that God will bless you and yours.

Answer 5

Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Hence it's a "Christian" holiday. The modern consumerism driven Christmas has nothing to do with the original holiday. It's simply an excuse to drive sales in stores.

I very much doubt that Christians would be possessive of Christmas... It's there for all to celebrate and share the joy.

Answer 6

Christmas is neither on the equinox nor the end of the year/month. At the time Jesus was born record keeping was lacking in that they didn't have family Bibles, or County Recorders,like we have today. We Gentiles adopted Christmas since most of our ancestors were Pagan. I think its rather nice that they extended the equinox celebration, but then were always going to have the cynics among us aren't we, who want to check Ids.

Answer 7

Because when we celebrate we're not celebrating a jolly guy in a red suit coming down the chimney. Even though we do enjoy getting presents, the holiday is about Christ being born. Others say Xmas, which, if I might add, is taking "Christ" out of Christmas!! Because, hence the Christ in Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

Simply put, they haven't taken the time to read, research or study the history of the holiday. Quoting from another answer I gave on this topic,

"Christmas is in fact the co-opted Pagan holiday of Yule, also known as the Winter Solstice. Jesus was not born on Dec. 25. He was in fact born in Spring.

All the holiday traditions that are associated with Christmas are in fact Pagan at their roots.

Santa - When the church created the persona of St. Nicholas, they adopted Poseidon's title "the Sailor." They seem to have picked up his last name from Nickar. Various temples of Poseidon became shrines of St. Nicholas.

Holly - Rooted in the Celtic tradition of the Holly King who rules the earth from Midsummer to Yule. At Yule, the Holly King and the Oak King battle with the Oak King winning and taking control from Yule to Midsummer. Further, holly, mistletoe, and ivy not only decorated the outside, but also the inside of homes. It was to extend an invitation to Nature Sprites to come and join the celebration. A sprig of Holly was kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to pay a visit to the residents.

Yule Log - Should be obvious! But in the event you do not know, in ancient times the Yule log was lit and burned for 12 days. Ash from the log was used in spring to add fertility to the land and aid in a plentiful harvest in Fall.

The Christmas Tree - In pre-Christian times, Romans used evergreens, symbols of fertility and regeneration, to trim their houses at the Kalends at the end of January. Eventually Christians appropriated the use of evergreens for their Christmas celebrations.

So, while you are putting up your multi-colored lights and decorating your tree next month, remember, while you sing, "Deck the halls with bows of Holly," that your birthday celebration for Jesus has absolutely nothing to do with his actual birthday, nor does any of the traditions associated with it have anything to do with your religious beliefs."

Given what I have written above, there really isn't much of any Christ in Christmas, now is there?

Answer 9

Christmas -- the Christ Mass -- Celebration of Christ.

Does that sound like the sort of thing non-Christians would want to claim?

Answer 10

It's the Pagan Tree Festival. Christians adopted it to help convert Pagan's.