Christmas and the birth of Jesus.?

Question

Why do we celebrate the birth of Josua (Jesus) ben Maria in December?

Accordingly to the Bible, it must have taken place in during the spring or before the summer time, no doubt about that.
Please no stupid answers.
Do read and count the months mentioned in The Bible and see if you will come to the same conclusion.

Answer 1

In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th. The Christians had by then appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out.

There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm.

In Scandinavia, a period of festivities known as Yule contributed another impetus to celebration, as opposed to spirituality. As Winter ended the growing season, the opportunity of enjoying the Summer's bounty encouraged much feasting and merriment.

The Celtic culture of the British Isles revered all green plants, but particularly mistletoe and holly. These were important symbols of fertility and were used for decorating their homes and altars.

New Christmas customs appeared in the Middle Ages. The most prominent contribution was the carol, which by the 14th century had become associated with the religious observance of the birth of Christ.

In Italy, a tradition developed for re-enacting the birth of Christ and the construction of scenes of the nativity. This is said to have been introduced by Saint Francis as part of his efforts to bring spiritual knowledge to the laity.

Saints Days have also contributed to our Christmas celebrations. A prominent figure in today's Christmas is Saint Nicholas who for centuries has been honored on December 6th. He was one of the forerunners of Santa Claus.

Another popular ritual was the burning of the Yule Log, which is strongly embedded in the pagan worship of vegetation and fire, as well as being associated with magical and spiritual powers.

Celebrating Christmas has been controversial since its inception. Since numerous festivities found their roots in pagan practices, they were greatly frowned upon by conservatives within the Church. The feasting, gift-giving and frequent excesses presented a drastic contrast with the simplicity of the Nativity, and many people throughout the centuries and into the present, condemn such practices as being contrary to the true spirit of Christmas.

The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.

Answer 2

Actually, that is now a widely accepted conclusion. I am not educated enough on the subject to say if you are correct or incorrect. I have an opinion about why we still celebrate in December, though.

It's simple human nature to keep a tight hold of our customs and traditions and turn away from change. It would seriously disturb the way we plan our year and times of celebration. I think the most important thing is the celebration of spirit and love and remembering Jesus Christ and his birth. I don't think he'd mind so much that we got the day mixed up.

Answer 3

In 350, Pope Julius I declared that Christ’s birth would be celebrated on December 25. There is little doubt that he was trying to make it as painless as possible for pagan Romans (who remained a majority at that time) to convert to Christianity. The new religion went down a bit easier, knowing that their feasts would not be taken away from them.


Christmas (Christ-Mass) as we know it today, most historians agree, began in Germany, though Catholics and Lutherans still disagree about which church celebrated it first. The earliest record of an evergreen being decorated in a Christian celebration was in 1521 in the Alsace region of Germany. A prominent Lutheran minister of the day cried blasphemy: “Better that they should look to the true tree of life, Christ.”

Answer 4

I have heard that we celebrate the birth of Jesus as "Christmas" in modern day because the Roman Catholic church was interested in competing with Pagan rituals of the winter solstice. I do not know for sure, and I suppose no one ever really will. But it does seem that the birth of Jesus would have been in the summer months. I guess what's most important is that we celebrate it with the best of intentions and reverence.

Answer 5

that is indeed accurate. Many scholars think that Jesus' actual b-day would fall closer to when we celebrate Easter. Some facts pointing to this include that the shepherds had the flocks out in pasture, which would usually take place in the warmer months between March and October.

This glitch probably happened when the early church fathers were making the calendar. But, after 2000 years, I don't think it really matters that we are off by a few months. I think it matters more to remember to celebrate Jesus' coming to Earth to save us :)

Answer 6

You're right about the biblical dates. The celebration of Jesus' birth in December was something the Catholics came up with when they couldn't get people to stop winter solstice festivals. They changed the pagan traditions of putting up greenery and lights, during the death of the old year to ensure the rebirth of a new one, to decorations in honor of the Christ child. They hoped people would forget the pagan reasons behind the traditions... and people did.

Answer 7

In the time when a lot of Christian holidays were established, they were set up around the same time as Pagan holidays so that the transition into Christianity would be easier for them. Christmas was set up as a replacement to the tree worshiping holiday and Easter was set up in place of another holiday. Anyway, that is why December is the month of Christmas and since it can't be varified for the exact date of the birth of Christ.

Answer 8

OK , Im not sure how to respond about christmas but you DONT celebrate his birth in december , avtually it is on january 5th when jesus is born and thats when in MEXICO they celebreate day of the 3 kings becaus supasavely the 3 wise men came to celebrate the birth of jesus. Christ mas just came from a tradition in englan that then converted into a holiday, but its just christmas, when santaclaus comes , not when jesus is born celebration. IF i confused u sorry. But hope that helps, does it?

Answer 9

Without Jesus there is no hope for humans. humans would destroy themselves or be destroyed eventually like civilizations that were destroyed before us. Im still deprogramming here. What can be said about this holiday is that according to the Spirit of Truth...this is clearly not the date Jesus was born.God hates a lie. I am very happy Jesus was born and deeply appreciate what God did for me. maybe it wouldnt be a bad idea if it werent a lie.thats all. not comfortable with that.

Answer 10

You are correct. I believe Jesus' real birth was around Passover. Some Scholar's have even pin pointed the date of that year to April 4th. I'm not sure how it ended up in December, but honestly, we should be celebrating it year round.