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Thread: Was Christ Born on Christmas? Evidence from the Bible for why Christians celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th, and disputing claims of connection to paganism
Nowhere in the Bible does it say "Christ was born on [Dec 25]," however the Bible does describe the timing of Christ's birth. We can calculate this from context clues given in the Bible.
![Nowhere in the Bible does it say "Christ was born on [Dec 25]," however the Bible does describe the timing of Christ's birth. We can calculate this from context clues given in the Bible.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EnrzbqaXUAIXsMt.jpg "Nowhere in the Bible does it say \"Christ was born on [Dec 25],\" however the Bible does describe the timing of Christ's birth. We can calculate this from context clues given in the Bible.")
As we know from basic human biology, the average child is born about 9 months after they are conceived. Christ's conception is something announced in the Bible, in the Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38.
In these verses we see only one timestamp given: 6 months into the pregnancy of St Elizabeth, the mother of St John the Baptist.
The Theotokos is informed that she will bear the Son of God. Mary gives her consent to this, and then she conceives.
The Theotokos is informed that she will bear the Son of God. Mary gives her consent to this, and then she conceives.
So far we have two timestamps: 9 months after the Annunciation, and 6 months after the conception of St John the Baptist. However, we don't yet have an exact date. In the scriptures, though, we are told when St John the Baptist was conceived.
The Gospel of Luke 1:5-22 describes the conception of Saint John the Baptist as happening "of the course of Abia"
This is a critically important point because this describes the jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, which happened in late September of 1 BC.
This is a critically important point because this describes the jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, which happened in late September of 1 BC.
How does that simple phrase describe Yom Kippur? Well, the Scripture records the Course of Abia as the eighth course among the 24 priestly courses for the Old Covenant Jews. (Nehemiah 12:17). Each course served one week in the temple for twice each year.
The course of Abia served during the 8th week and the 32nd week in the annual cycle.
This means that the priestly course of Abia (the course of St Zacharias) was serving during the 2nd week of the Jewish month of Tishri – the week of the Day of Atonement on the 10th of Tishri.
This means that the priestly course of Abia (the course of St Zacharias) was serving during the 2nd week of the Jewish month of Tishri – the week of the Day of Atonement on the 10th of Tishri.
In the secular calendar, the Day of Atonement on 10th Tishri lands anywhere from September 22 to October 8.
In 1BC, Hebrew Calendars have calculated it to be roughly equivalent to be about September 27th.
In 1BC, Hebrew Calendars have calculated it to be roughly equivalent to be about September 27th.
St Zacharias and St Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist immediately after Zacharias served his course. This means that St John the Baptist would have been conceived somewhere around the end of September.
This confirms the Orthodox Church’s celebration of the Conception of St John the Baptist on September 23, and places his birth 9 months later at the end of June, confirming the Orthodox Church’s celebration of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist on June 24.
So if St John the Baptist was conceived around September 23rd-27th, then Christ was conceived 6 months later in March (23rd-27th). That means Christ was born 9 months later in December, 23rd - 27th, which just so happens to contain December 25th.
"But what about Saturnalia"
Ultimately irrelevant. If pagans would celebrate the Winter Solstice, it does not affect when Christ was born. He was born exactly when He was meant to be born. Christians had been celebrating the Nativity before they knew of Saturnalia.
Ultimately irrelevant. If pagans would celebrate the Winter Solstice, it does not affect when Christ was born. He was born exactly when He was meant to be born. Christians had been celebrating the Nativity before they knew of Saturnalia.
Furthermore, Saturnalia was NEVER celebrated at the same time as Christmas (the Nativity). Saturnalia was celebrated initially on December 17th, and expanded to Dec 23rd, which conveniently does NOT contain Christmas which is on December 25th.
"But the word Christmas is of pagan origin"
No it is not. It's etymological origins are "Christ's Mass." (Mass meaning missal or Liturgy)
Other names like X-Mas derive from the Greek letter Χ which is the first letter of Christ's name in Greek (Χριστός)
No it is not. It's etymological origins are "Christ's Mass." (Mass meaning missal or Liturgy)
Other names like X-Mas derive from the Greek letter Χ which is the first letter of Christ's name in Greek (Χριστός)
"But Christians do pagan things on Christmas, like put up Christmas trees"
Christmas Trees were popularized by protestant Christian reformer Martin Luther, who is said to have put up the first Christmas tree when he placed lighted candles on an evergreen tree. Not pagan at all.
Christmas Trees were popularized by protestant Christian reformer Martin Luther, who is said to have put up the first Christmas tree when he placed lighted candles on an evergreen tree. Not pagan at all.
While such an act and tradition had nothing to do with the Christians of the first 1500 years, this is still nevertheless a Christian origin to an already Christian holiday.
"But Santa Claus is based on paganism"
No he is not. While Santa has been sensationalized by western consumerist culture, he still has his origins in Christianity, being directly founded upon Saint Nicholas of Myra, a Greek Orthodox Bishop in Anatolia.
No he is not. While Santa has been sensationalized by western consumerist culture, he still has his origins in Christianity, being directly founded upon Saint Nicholas of Myra, a Greek Orthodox Bishop in Anatolia.
This is where the traditions of stockings come from. Saint Nicholas, known for his charity, donated incredible amounts of gold to a father of three daughters who was about to be forced to sell his daughters into prostitution, placing this gold in their stockings.
Saint Nicholas gave away everything he owned, and greatly enriched the people wherever he would go. This is where gift giving in connection to Santa Claus is based on.
So to say this is pagan in origin is historically illiterate.
So to say this is pagan in origin is historically illiterate.
In conclusion
Christmas is a Christian Holiday with absolutely zero pagan foundation. This is not up for debate. Those who would say otherwise are blinding themselves or have been misled by secularists antiChristians.
Have a blessed day, and please become Orthodox Christian.
Christmas is a Christian Holiday with absolutely zero pagan foundation. This is not up for debate. Those who would say otherwise are blinding themselves or have been misled by secularists antiChristians.
Have a blessed day, and please become Orthodox Christian.
