Ive heard that Jesus was actually born in August at some point, and that Christianity moved it forward to coincide with the pagan celebration that we now know as christmas.
True or not???
And if it was true, why did they bring it forward?? Why not leave it in August?
2007-12-16 10:39:57 · 20 answers · asked by Lifeless Energy 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He was born in April/May. Not August. He was conceived in the womb of Mary in August.
And choosing to move it to December 25th reflected many pagan celebrations because that day was their day of the sun and was a day of fertility and life, so it only made sense to have the Christian day of fertility and the life of Christ on the pagan day.
Make no mistake though. Not all Christians celebrated Christmas. Many of them celebrated March 25th instead (9 months before Christmas which, had Jesus been born on Dec 25th, would have been the day he was conceived in the womb of Mary). Many European countries began the year on March 25th, and many other Christians did not celebrate Christmas because of the pagan festivals that were also prominent on that day. So it was a very controversial thing.
2007-12-16 10:47:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Assuming Jesus was born , he was born when the Shepherds were tending their sheep in the fields , most probably in the spring time . There was already many well established religious festivals around the time of the winter solstice , Christianity , as usual merely hijacked the date.
Btw , you do know that the Christmas tree was originally outside and a pagan symbol , with pagan decorations? The only reason we now hide our trees indoors is because of the Christian persecution of pagans .
2007-12-16 10:55:00 · answer #2 · answered by londonpeter2003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
August? Cool! Maybe me and JC have the same birthday!
The only thing people seem willing to agree upon is that Jesus' birthday is NOT in Dec. I've heard Jan. also, April, March or May.
But frankly I'm glad they moved celebrating Jesus birthday to Dec. It's the last month of the year, making it easy to reflect on all the good things God has done for me all year long.
It's also so cold and boring because its too cold to enjoy being outside and it gets dark so early.
I'm really glad to have something worth while to celebrate in December.
2007-12-16 10:52:46 · answer #3 · answered by Linda J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was born (according to the bible) while Joseph & Mary were in Bethlehem paying their taxes.
Early Christians "hijacked" the pagan celebration of Saturnalia (on December 25th) so they could celebrate without making the Romans angry.
As to why it has not subsequently been moved to the right place? Who knows!
2007-12-16 10:48:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have always been told no one knows for sure. But that if the animals were outside @ night it couldn't have been winter. I've been told by my husband that if you switch Easter and Christmas you'd have them @ the proper time.Also, there are those who say the winter solstice was already pagan holiday. People claim Christians made it "christian" to convert it from a pagan holiday. I have found no proof of these things whatsoever.
2007-12-16 10:53:09 · answer #5 · answered by paula r 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one is completely sure when Christ was born, so Dec. 25th was just somehow picked to be the day to celebrate his birth. But lets try to not contemplate on this and instead think apon the birth of Christ. Which for the record is true and really did happen. Just so that all of you know.
2007-12-16 10:50:17 · answer #6 · answered by monkeychick 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was Catholicism that began the celebration known as Christmas at the time of the winter solstice, which is the celebration of the death and rebirth of the sun, known as the time of yule, so that, basically, people wouldn't have to repent of their pagan practices. They could go on practicing witchcraft with impunity, or so they were lead to believe.
2007-12-16 10:46:43 · answer #7 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm thinking his time of birth was closer to Mid September to Mid October. His birth was celebrated at the winter solstice to set off the pagan holiday. To take place of what the Druids and pagans celebrated.
2007-12-16 10:44:47 · answer #8 · answered by nora d 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It isn't actually when He was born that is important - what is important is that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and remember why he came to the Earth. To attone for our sins.
2007-12-16 10:51:29 · answer #9 · answered by Smudge 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one knows, but I don't think it was Aug. I've heard it was in Sept., but who really knows ? Perhaps it was moved to try to override the pagan day. I'm just guessing. I don't know.
2007-12-16 10:49:46 · answer #10 · answered by HappyCamper 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋