How December 25 Became Christmas

[mikhen7]

Since we are entering the Christmas season i thought it was very timely to read the following article. It is written to explore the various reasons why Jesus' birth is celebrated on December 25th. To me, actually, it is refreshing to see an article that does not really bring condemnation to those of us who have become accustomed to celebrating the birth of our precious Lord at this time. It is thought provoking and well worth the read.

I hope you enjoy it.

How December 25 Became Christmas - Biblical Archaeology Review

God bless.

[mikhen7]

I personally have done a lengthy study on it and believe we are not far off, if off at all, on the date.

[mikhen7]

And to further attest to the date and its possibility of being December 25th we have the writings of Hippolytus. Some say his works were interpolated but read the comments that follow the article.


Hippolytus and December 25th, the birthday of Christ-Christmas | Chronicon Blog

To be sure the date does not take anything away from my belief in the Lord and all that He has done for us, but it is an interesting topic.

In Christ

[ANY MINUTE]

Thanks for the post. I too have often wondered how December 25, came to be the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Will be interesting to see what other finds you come up with. Please post!

Side note.. not meant to derail your thread. I was reading a commentary in my wifes Scofield study Bible this morning and Dec. 25th caught my eye. The section is titled from Malachi to Mathew. He was commenting on Antiochus Epiphanes.
" In 170 b.c., Antiochus, after repeated interferences with the temple and the priesthood, plundered Jerusalem, profaned the temple, and enslaved great numbers of the inhabitants. December 25, b.c. 168, Antiochus offered a sow upon the great alter, and erected an alter to Jupiter. This is the "desolation" of Daniel 8. 13, type of the final "abomination of desolation" of Mathew 24. 15. The temple worship was forbidden, and the people compelled to eat swine's flesh."

He doesn't give the source of that date, it caught my eye for obvious reasons especially since he gives the exact date as Dec. 25th.
Anyone else know of this being the exact date?
I'm not saying that this is the reason why some claim the date as a pagan holiday, it was just surprising to come across so early this morning.

[Elijah's Mantle]

I find this most interesting
I never knew
this is good information

It makes me think

with how much we know
how much do we not know ?

History is one of the most intriguing things
exspecially with how things come about

how much of what ancients knowed
have we like lost in the annals of time passing by ?
just think
I dont know of even one living wise man like the one's who
followed the heavenly compass and found Jesus

[mikhen7]

Thanks for the post. I too have often wondered how December 25, came to be the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Will be interesting to see what other finds you come up with. Please post!

Side note.. not meant to derail your thread. I was reading a commentary in my wifes Scofield study Bible this morning and Dec. 25th caught my eye. The section is titled from Malachi to Mathew. He was commenting on Antiochus Epiphanes.
" In 170 b.c., Antiochus, after repeated interferences with the temple and the priesthood, plundered Jerusalem, profaned the temple, and enslaved great numbers of the inhabitants. December 25, b.c. 168, Antiochus offered a sow upon the great alter, and erected an alter to Jupiter. This is the "desolation" of Daniel 8. 13, type of the final "abomination of desolation" of Mathew 24. 15. The temple worship was forbidden, and the people compelled to eat swine's flesh."

He doesn't give the source of that date, it caught my eye for obvious reasons especially since he gives the exact date as Dec. 25th.
Anyone else know of this being the exact date?
I'm not saying that this is the reason why some claim the date as a pagan holiday, it was just surprising to come across so early this morning.

Most definitely, Antiochus Epiphanes is a type of Antichrist. The December 25th date is significant, it is also the date that Judas Macabbees cleansed the temple. From Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishers,

"As the revolt, led by Judas Maccabeus, gained momentum, the people of Israel united to overthrow Seleucid domination of their land. The Syrians were routed and the Temple was cleansed on the 25th of Chislev, 165 B.C. This cleansing is now observed by the Jews as the Feast of Lights (Hanukkah), around December 25. According to ancient writers, Antiochus IV withdrew into the East following his defeat. He died in Persia a madman. Some scholars see the "little horn" of Dan 8:9 as a reference to Antiochus IV Epiphanes."

God Bless

[mikhen7]

I find this most interesting
I never knew
this is good information

It makes me think

with how much we know
how much do we not know ?

History is one of the most intriguing things
exspecially with how things come about

how much of what ancients knowed
have we like lost in the annals of time passing by ?
just think
I dont know of even one living wise man like the one's who
followed the heavenly compass and found Jesus

One of the things I find interesting is how many in the church world today are quick to jump on the December 25 date as a pagan holiday, therefore shunning Christmas and rebuking any who observe that day as Christ's birth as if we follow paganism. Since when does Paganism overule the Lord!

I like what Pauls said in Romans 14:5-7:
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.

If I observe December 25th as the Birth of Christ and worship Him on that day I do it to the Lord! For I live because of Him. He is my precious Lord and I love Him so much. I just think that somtimes we give to much sway to paganism. Just because some devil worshipping pagans chose that day as their holiday to the sun does not mean I cannot worship my Lord on that special day. It is God who created the days we live not satan or his minions. They are all holy to Him.

To me December 25th was most likely the correct date and came well before the pagan celebrations. If anything they tried to corrupt the day.

God Bless.

P.S. I am doing a study on a book that was recently discovered having been buried in the vatican vault concerning the 3 wisemen or Magi. I will post on my research as soon as I can.

[mattfivefour]

The specific day when Jesus was born is an interesting matter of conjecture ... but nothing more. Some choose to honor Him on December 25th. Others on January 6th. Still others say those are just pagan celebrations. But Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote that "One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord ...." (Romans 14:5-6a) And then he scolds those who judge others in this matter (Romans 14:10)

Regardless of what day Jesus was born, there was a day. The certainty of His life is undeniable: all history is measured by it. But more important than the day He was born or even the day He became our sacrifice, is the day we accepted Him as our Lord and our Savior and He came to live in each of our hearts. For each of us there was a day.

And if you are reading this and you have never accepted Him as Lord and Savior, if you have no assurance of salvation and the forgiveness of your sins, then seek the day of your salvation. And you will find it is now. Now is the day of your salvation. "As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 5:1-2) There is no other way in which to be saved from an eternity in Hell, but by faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12) You see, we all have sinned and fallen short of the purity of God (Romans 3:23) and the penalty of that sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). But anybody who believes God's Word and accepts Jesus Christ as having paid the penalty for sin that we could never pay, and as having made us perfect in God's eyes by His sacrifice; anybody at all who truly believes that in his or her heart and then publicly confesses Jesus as his or her Lord and Savior is accepted of God and saved for all eternity. (Romans 10: 9-11) But do not put it off. God tells us, referring back to the giving of the external Law of God that those who lived before Jesus were subject to, that "If the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." (Hebrews 2:2-4)

In Hebrews 12:25 Paul warns all mankind to "See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth (Moses), much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven (Jesus)." If you want to find out more about the gospel (the good news) of salvation and how to be saved, then I encourage you to read this short Rapture Forums article: How to obtain Salvation and Eternal Life.

I pray now that the Holy Spirit is drawing you to Jesus and for your sake I pray you do not harden your heart against this drawing.

[mikhen7]

Amen my brother!! I am absolutely convinced that the Lord placed that post upon your heart. I am equally convinced that someone will receive Christ as Savior and Lord because of it. The angels are rejoicing and you will be blessed because of your obedience!

Praise His holy Name!!

[ANY MINUTE]

Thanks miken7 for the additional info.
By the way, I also celebrate that day as the birth of our Lord and Savior.

mattfivefour- I second that Amen. Very well said, the Lord is using you in a mighty way!

[ChristianMomma]

My pastor went into the birth of Christ today in his lesson. He believes that it is a strong possibility that He was actually born in September sometime during the Feast of Tabernacles. He had a whole timeline based on clues from the NT and it was a neat study. Jesus being born at that time would fit along with the Jewish feast quite nicely actually.

I did a quick search online to get the gist of what my pastor was referring to and found this:
What day was Jesus born?

Birth of Jesus Christ:
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), occurs five days after the Day of Atonement, and is a festival of rejoicing and celebration of deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43).

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Why was there no room at the inn? Bethlehem is only about 5 miles from Jerusalem, and all the men of Israel had come to attend the festival of Tabernacles as required by the law of Moses. Every room for miles around Jerusalem would have been already taken by pilgrims, so all that Mary and Joseph could find for shelter was a stable. During Tabernacles, everyone was to live in temporary booths (Sukkot), as a memorial to Israel's pilgrimage out of Egypt - Lev. 23:42-43. The birth of the Savior, in what amounted to a temporary dwelling rather than a house, signaled the coming deliverance of God's people from slavery to sin, and their departing for the promised land, which is symbolized by Tabernacles.

Also of note is the fact that the Feast of Tabernacles is an eight day feast (Lev 23:36, 39). Why eight days? It may be because an infant was dedicated to God by performing circumcision on the eighth day after birth:

Conception of Jesus Chirst:
Now working from the information about John's conception late in the third month, Sivan, and advancing six months, we arrive late in the 9th month of Kislev (Nov-Dec) for the time frame for the conception of Jesus. It is notable here that the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated on the 25th day of Kislev, and Jesus is called the light of the world (John 8:12, 9:5, 12:46). This does not appear to be a mere coincidence. In the book of John, Hanukkah is called the feast of dedication (John 10:22). Hanukkah is an eight day festival of rejoicing, celebrating deliverance from enemies by the relighting of the menorah in the rededicated Temple, which according to the story, stayed lit miraculously for eight days on only one day's supply of oil.

I agree that it doesn't really matter much which day we celebrate. However, it would have been neat if Jesus was born according to this timeline and we incorporated that into our faith. I think that God does things with specific meaning and if this meaning is true, which is does seem to match up, then it would have been a much more useful testimony to tie Jesus' birth in with Jewish holidays, since we can see that a lot of their traditions point to a coming Savior. It would sort of tie it all together.

[Elijah's Mantle]

This has been a most awesome thread to study
It is going to make for a special Christmas
this is great info every body
and remembering HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS
really happened on earth
makes and keeps CHRISTMAS
every year
The greatest gift of all given in ALL time
was the birth of our savior
God is a awesome God

[ANY MINUTE]

This has been a most awesome thread to study
It is going to make for a special Christmas
this is great info every body
and remembering HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS
really happened on earth
makes and keeps CHRISTMAS
every year
The greatest gift of all given in ALL time
was the birth of our savior
God is a awesome God

Yes He is! Thank You Jesus!

[Sean Osborne]

From Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishers:

"As the revolt, led by Judas Maccabeus, gained momentum, the people of Israel united to overthrow Seleucid domination of their land.

This sentence is correct - the Seleucid domination was overthrown. That is to say the Macedonian-Greek domination of Israel was overthrown.

The Syrians were routed...

This is incorrect. The Seleucids were NOT Syrians. They were Macedonian-Greeks. EUROPEANS in other words.

Many in the West, Bible scholars and secular historians alike, have consistently referred to as "Syrians" those who in all matter of fact were and are today the Aramean peoples. The Arameans descended from Aram, the 5th son of Shem and grandson of Noah. The peoples of Aram are also known by the names of his sons: Uz, Hal, Gether and Mash, yet they are collectively known as the Aramean people.

The confusion of the "Syrians" and "Assyrians" continues to this day. It has a Roman origin.

The name "Syria" is actually the Roman name given to the land well to the north of Damascus-Aram, Kedar and Bashan. This land was known as Seleucia from approximately 322 to 64 BC, named after Alexander's closest friend and confidant, Seleucus, one of the four Macedonian Diadochi (Macedonian Generals) who inherited the division into four parts of Alexander's empire. Seleucia was centered in ancient Babylon, in Iraq, and it's western frontiers were in what we know today as modern eastern Turkey and northern Syria. The eastern frontier included all of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan to the frontier of India.

[radowl]

I also wondered about the Dec. 25 date for Christmas while researching the Maccabees and Antiochus E. for a novel that I wrote (linked at end). Most secular historians seem to agree that Dec. 25 was chosen because it came at the end of a traditional week of winter festivities centered around the Solstice. Either way, whenever Hanukkah rolls around every year, I think of the Maccabees and their victory to reclaim the Temple.

My novel is about Antiochus returning in modern day as either a Messiah or an Antichrist. Readers of this forum, if they read the novel, will get a big dose of prophecy along with a traditional thriller plot. My goal in writing the novel was to fulfill the scriptures in unpredictable ways.

Unfortunately, since I'm new to this forum, I can't post links. Just search for "Something Coming" at the Amazon store.