Every December, a perennial debate arises: Did Christians steal 25th December from pagan traditions, or is this date uniquely Christian? Some argue that the Church “baptised” pre-Christian traditions, incorporating them into its own liturgical life. Others suggest this was a deliberate effort to Christianise existing pagan festivals. While both perspectives have merit in other contexts, the specific case of Christmas Day reveals a much richer history, rooted in theological traditions and liturgical rhythms unique to Christianity.

Early Christians placed great emphasis on the interconnectedness of Christ’s life events, aligning His conception and crucifixion on the same date to symbolise the unity of His mission. This theological reasoning contributed to the selection of 25th December as His birth date, reflecting the internal logic of the liturgical calendar. Let’s look at the evidence and explore why 25th December is genuinely Christian.

Baptising Traditions: A Beautiful Legacy

It is undeniable that Christianity has a long tradition of taking elements from pre-Christian cultures and giving them new, sacred meaning. This practice extends to symbols, rituals, and even people, as sinners are baptised into new life in Christ. However, when it comes to Christmas Day, the evidence does not support claims of appropriation from paganism. In fact, the date and celebration have distinctly Christian origins, rooted in theological reflection, symbolic reasoning, and the integration of key events in Christ’s life into the liturgical calendar.

Why Christmas is Not Pagan

The idea that Christmas replaced a pre-existing pagan festival is based on several misconceptions. Critics often point to festivals like the winter solstice, Saturnalia, or Sol Invictus as the supposed origin of Christmas. Understanding these claims not only clarifies historical truths but also deepens our appreciation of how Christian traditions have shaped and been shaped by cultural narratives. Let’s examine these claims:

1. The Winter Solstice: While the winter solstice was celebrated in some pagan cultures, it is not a fixed date, as it varies each year from 21–22 December. Furthermore, its significance was largely regional, with greater importance in the cold and dark mid-winter of Northern Europe but less so in the warmer Middle East or North Africa, where Christianity first flourished. Within the vast Roman Empire, the winter solstice held different levels of importance; in some regions, it was a minor observance, while in others, it carried profound spiritual meaning. These vast cultural and geographical differences underline why the solstice’s date and resonance do not align with the fixed celebration of Christ’s birth, which emerged from a unified theological vision rather than disparate pagan customs.

2. Saturnalia: This Roman festival, dedicated to the god Saturn, was a week-long celebration ending on 23rd December. The timing does not overlap with 25th December, and the character of the festival — marked by feasting and revelry — differs greatly from the solemn joy of Christmas.

3. Sol Invictus: The feast of Sol Invictus, honouring the “Unconquered Sun,” is sometimes cited as the direct precursor to Christmas. However, historical records show that this festival was not fixed on 25th December until after Christians had already established the date for Christ’s birth. Originally celebrated in July, the height of summer, Sol Invictus was later moved to December, likely to compete with the growing Christian observance. In fact, it makes more sense to celebrate the unconquered Sun in the Summer than in the winter when the sun is weakest. In this case, it was paganism that adapted to Christianity, not the other way around.

The Real Origin of 25th December

The choice of 25th December for Christmas Day stems from deep theological and symbolic reasoning within the Christian tradition. Early Christians emphasised the interconnectedness of Christ’s life events, weaving them into a cohesive rhythm of meaning that shaped the liturgical calendar and highlighted God’s redemptive plan. One key date was 25th March, celebrated as the Feast of the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the Son of God (Luke 1:26–38).

In ancient Jewish thought, it was believed that prophets died on the same date as their conception. By this reasoning, many early Christians held that Christ’s crucifixion also occurred on 25th March. This date was symbolically significant as it linked the redemptive act of the crucifixion with the moment of Christ’s conception, highlighting the unity of His mission from beginning to end in salvation history. If Christ was conceived on 25th March, then a perfect nine-month pregnancy would result in His birth on 25th December. Thus, the date of Christmas was not derived from pagan sources but from the internal logic of the Christian liturgical calendar.

Christmas and Theophany

Before becoming a standalone feast in the 4th century, Christmas was celebrated alongside Theophany (Epiphany) on 6th January. Theophany commemorates Christ’s baptism and His first public manifestation as God incarnate. Over time, the Church distinguished between these two events, assigning Christmas its own date to emphasise the mystery of the Incarnation.

Interestingly, the Armenian Church continues to celebrate Christ’s birth and baptism together on 6th January, preserving an older tradition that emphasises the theological unity between these pivotal events, highlighting the seamless narrative of salvation history. This connection emphasises the theological unity between Christ’s Incarnation and His public manifestation as the Son of God, emphasising the seamless narrative of salvation history that begins with His birth and culminates in His revelation to the world. This approach highlights a theological focus on the revelation of Christ’s divinity, offering a unique insight into the Church’s historical emphasis on the manifestation of God in human history.

The Global Calendar

It is worth noting that not all Christians celebrate Christmas on the same day. While most observe 25th December according to the Gregorian calendar, others, such as Orthodox Christians in Russia and Serbia, mark the feast on 7th January. This discrepancy arises from differences in the calendars used. The Julian calendar, still followed by some Orthodox communities, places 25th December 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar.

Was Jesus Actually Born on 25th December?

Another claim often repeated at this time is that Jesus wasn’t actually born on 25th December, and therefore Christians are wrong to celebrate Christmas when we do. As we have seen, there is a longstanding tradition holds that Jesus was indeed born on 25th December. However, it is important to note that the celebration of Christmas is not merely a commemoration of Jesus' birthday as we might celebrate our own birthday.

Christmas isn’t merely Jesus' birthday. Instead, Christmas is a liturgical and theological commemoration, marking the Incarnation of God in human history. The precise date of Jesus' birth, while historically debated, ultimately matters less than the profound truth that the event signifies: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). This theological focus elevates Christmas beyond a simple anniversary to a celebration of God’s redemptive plan unfolding in time. What matters far more then when we celebrate Christmas is what we celebrate. 25th December is at least as good as any other date, and for the reasons mentioned above, probably the best date of them all.

A Day of Universal Significance

Christmas is more than a date; it embodies the mystery of the Incarnation and reflects the Church’s understanding of salvation history, woven into its liturgical rhythm to highlight God’s redemptive plan. This interconnectedness of Christ’s conception, birth, and death, reflected in the liturgical celebrations, reflects the Church’s deep understanding of the unity and purpose of God’s redemptive plan. On this day, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The birth of Christ is not an isolated event but part of salvation history, seamlessly integrated into the Church’s liturgical rhythm to reveal God’s redemptive plan. By understanding the true origins of Christmas, we can better appreciate its significance not only on 25th December but throughout the year.

So, as we prepare to celebrate once more the birth of Christ, let’s remember that this is a truly Christian feast, held on 25th December for very good reasons. Happy Christmas.