Not meant to offend, just a question. Wasn't Christ born in the spring? I heard this somewhere a looonnnngggg time ago and have always wondered why you celebrate Christmas in December. Is that misinformation, or does it have something to do with using a different calendar? I am just curious. Thanks!
Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
I've always heard the same thing....and I think what *I* read, which may not be correct at all, was that the celebration of Christmas was set in December to align with the Roman/Pagan holiday. I've read this was done for two reasons: 1) So Christians could celebrate and not be persecuted and 2) that the church did this to bring Pagans into the fold...like with the Christmas tree.
To tell the truth, I don't know any of this as "fact", just passing on what I've read in the past. http://www.amitymama.com/images/icons/smile.gif
Jennifer
Nothing's Gonna Change My World -- John Lennon
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Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
I've read things similar to what Jenny indicated. However, the more I study the roots of holidays, the more I question these kinds of facts. Honestly, I dot nkow if the reason I've come to believe are true or not (though they do make sense).
I had a Catholic friend in grad school say that Christ-mas is not his actual birth date, nor is it meant to be. THe fact that it is a mass is indicative of the fact that it's merely a celebration of his birth--not his actual birthday. I know for us that seems lind of strange, but it does make sense--we don't have an eact date for his birth, so we just celebrate his birth in general, not necessarily the day of his birth. HTH
Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
Jesus couldn't have been born in the middle of winter. Mary and Joseph (along with thousands of other people) had to walk to the city of their birth for the census. The census wouldn't have been called in the winter, everyone would have died on the trip home!
Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
I have read that yes, it was a pagan holiday in Rome and as with other pagan holidays(Easter), as Christianity spread, one of the ways they compromised was *christianizing*(is that a word?LOL!) the pagan holidays. Christmas was in December and is celebration of the roman god Saturn~the celebration of Saturnalia (sp?) Some guy waaay back when decided Dec 25 to be the day the birth of Christ was to be celebrated.
Now biblically speaking, (the NT) according to customs, the gospel accounts of the journey, the *star* and many other parts of the story taken into account, Jesus was most likely born sometime in September~I agree. Definitely not the spring.
Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
I always thought the date was used to cover up celebrations surrounding Mithras, the god of light. And that was also the origin of tree decoration. I'm going to check out your theory. Thanks for posting it....this stuff fascinates me. )
Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
You are probably right too :-) There are many traditions and customs from different countries, cultures and religions. Many customs cross over here and there..Santa Claus/St Nick, Christmas trees, Yule logs, Christmas caroling, stockings, 12 days of Christmas, lights and other festive decorations....all of that stuff has come from other cultures and religious celebrations. There are many different reasons for the dates, ie. the winter solstice(the 21st?), astrological influences, new year's celebrations, etc. There is all kinds of history and stories. Have fun checking it outhttp://www.amitymama.com/images/icons/wink.gif Do a search for Christmas or origins of Christmas and you'll find more than enough tidbits....
Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
I read that the Christmas tree came about in the 8th Century in Germany b/c Brother somebody-or-other was trying to get people to stop worshipping Oak Trees.
LOL
There are so many stories....and they are all probably true in some way, somewhere in the world....it's very hard to sort out fact from fact from fiction...LOL.
Jennifer
Nothing's Gonna Change My World -- John Lennon
]
Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
I attended and graduated from a Christian University and was taught in a Bible History class that Christmas occurs when it does to align with Hanukkah. Most early Christians were Jews and they continued to do the Jewish stuff in addition to the Christian stuff. Maybe they also taught about Easter and Passover being around the same time for the same reason...but it's possible I imagined that one.
Melissa Mama to Alicia Liberty 4 and Jacob Ryan 4/4/01
Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
I'm actually much more inclined to believe the Passover/EAster connection that the CHristmas/Hanukkah one, since Hanukkah is *such* a minor holiday. It just doens't make sense. IT would make more sense to tie CHristmas with Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashannah if you're trying to make it "JEw-friendly"
Most of what I"ve been reading lately (since this thread was started) leads me to believe that Christmas is tied with Saturnalia, which is/was a major holiday. It just makes the most sense out of everything I've heard so far.
Re: A question from a non-christian for christians...
I was just thinking about this, this Christmas cause I've always heard that Jesus wasn't really born at this time just that his birth was celebrated. Anyhow I was listening to a scripture read (have to look it up) that said the angel appeared to Mary in the 6th month of that year. If the calander is the same as we use today that would put her at concieving June/July give 9 months and you get March/april. I've always thought that the savior was born in April and than reborn in April. I've also heard that we celebrate his birth in December cause Christians were being persecuted and this was one way they could celebrate his birth without others knowing.
Diane
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