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Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Christmas Tales
Is it true that we don't really know when Jesus's birthday really was? Is it true that early Christians said Christ's birthday is December 25 because it is close to other religious, such as pagans, holidays and made them easier to convert?
Dear Perplexed,
It is true, we DON'T really know when Jesus' birthday was, but we do know it most likely wasn't in winter if we are to believe the rest of the tale. While it wouldn't be uncommon for Shepards to be tending their flock in December at night (about the time new grass begins to grow) it is more likely that it was in the Spring, when they would be there to assist with birthing of Spring lambs.
Many modern day scholars and astronomers have spent a lot time trying to determine a date based on astronomical events that were happening around that time (Star of David).
The first recorded time of Christmas on the 25th was in Constantinople (before it was Istanbul) around 379 AD after Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity on his death bed (first death bed conversion recorded as well) and Rome followed his lead.
It is believed it was done as way to get pagans to stop having their pagan fun on the 25th for Winter Solstice, but it was probably a way to get Christians to stop observing the solstice, and worship Jesus instead. It was most likely not done as a conversion tool, but a way to get current Christians from reverting to Pagan ways.
Originally, it was the Epiphany feast, celebrated on January 6th, which is where the 12 days of Christmas come from (the time between the 25th and the 6th), and many Christian religions refused to celebrate the 25th well into the 1800's.
Many Orthodox Catholics still celebrate the Epiphany on the 6th.
***Did you know*** According to Howard Clarke, in the US, Christmas cards bearing the Magi outsell those of the shepards.
-Perplexed in Patagonia
Dear Perplexed,
It is true, we DON'T really know when Jesus' birthday was, but we do know it most likely wasn't in winter if we are to believe the rest of the tale. While it wouldn't be uncommon for Shepards to be tending their flock in December at night (about the time new grass begins to grow) it is more likely that it was in the Spring, when they would be there to assist with birthing of Spring lambs.
Many modern day scholars and astronomers have spent a lot time trying to determine a date based on astronomical events that were happening around that time (Star of David).
The first recorded time of Christmas on the 25th was in Constantinople (before it was Istanbul) around 379 AD after Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity on his death bed (first death bed conversion recorded as well) and Rome followed his lead.
It is believed it was done as way to get pagans to stop having their pagan fun on the 25th for Winter Solstice, but it was probably a way to get Christians to stop observing the solstice, and worship Jesus instead. It was most likely not done as a conversion tool, but a way to get current Christians from reverting to Pagan ways.
Originally, it was the Epiphany feast, celebrated on January 6th, which is where the 12 days of Christmas come from (the time between the 25th and the 6th), and many Christian religions refused to celebrate the 25th well into the 1800's.
Many Orthodox Catholics still celebrate the Epiphany on the 6th.
***Did you know*** According to Howard Clarke, in the US, Christmas cards bearing the Magi outsell those of the shepards.
:: posted by timothy, 1:31 PM
