Why is December 25th considered the birth of Jesus? Is Christmas Christian?
Jesus was born during the time of the Roman Empire. The Romans celebrated a festival called Saturnalia. This pagan festival was held during the winter solstice (December 21 st in America). It was on December 17-24 th . It was a time of feasting and giving of gifts to children and the poor. It was also a celebration of Saturn, the sun god of sowing (planting), and fire. Saturn was worshipped in the winter so that he would return and warm the earth which would cause the crops to grow. The planet Saturn was named after this god. Out of all the planets, Saturn with its rings and bright red color represents the god of fire. The Romans celebrated another festival on December 25th called natalis solis invicti , the birth of the unconquered sun , was decreed by the emperor Aurelian in AD 274 as a Winter Solstice celebration, and sometime (later)…was Christianized as a date to celebrate the birth of the Son of Light.” It has been sai...