Post by Zadkiel on Jan 17, 2016 21:01:14 GMT
There is no scriptural justification for this particular date being Jesus’s birthday. We celebrate the birth of Jesus on 25 December because some early Church leaders wanted an alternative to the pagan holiday Yule. The date was justified by Hippolytus of Rome, who claimed that the conception of Jesus took place at the Spring equinox, which he placed on March 25. He then added nine months, taking advantage of winter festivals that were already celebrated around that time. Whatever elements of the pagan festivals in honour of Mithras, Sol Invictus, Saturn and the Midwinter celebration they were unable to get rid of were also attempted incorporated into Christianity, to avoid unwanted practices and rivals to their own faith.
Luke makes a specific reference to shepherds grazing their sheep in the fields, which only took place in the warmer months of the year. December 25th wasn’t celebrated as Christmas until at least the 4th Century.
Luke makes a specific reference to shepherds grazing their sheep in the fields, which only took place in the warmer months of the year. December 25th wasn’t celebrated as Christmas until at least the 4th Century.
