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- Christmas Day is December 25
- Christmas 2008 falls on a Thursday
- Christmas was not one of the original, major Christian holidays
- Christmas did not become a Christian holiday until the end of the fourth century A.D.Sabbatarian: The Pagan History of Christmas
- December 25 declared the official celebration for Christ's birth in the fifth centurySabbatarian: The Pagan History of Christmas
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The origin of Christmas has its roots in the pagan tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. Over time, the Christian church combined many of the pagan traditions with the birth of the Christian Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. According to "Religious Tolerance," the reason the Roman Catholic Church chose December 25 as the date for Christmas was due to the number of pagan festivals celebrated around that date.Religious Tolerance: The Selection of December 25 for Christmas
Sharing a Birthday
Coincidentally many pagan gods were believed to have been born on and around Christmas day. The Roman god, Attis (also born to a virgin mother), was born on December 25. The birthday of the Greek god, Dionysus, was observed on December 25. Osiris, the Egyptian god, was also rumored to have been born on December 25. Mithra, a Persian god, celebrated his birthday on December 25. The ancient Babylonians also celebrated a sun god festival on December 25.Religious Tolerance: The Selection of December 25 for ChristmasOrigin of Tradition
Many Christmas traditions practiced today have pagan origins. The custom of Christmas trees is believed to have originated in the ancient European cultures that once revered trees as sacred, spiritual objects. Many associate the origin of Santa Claus with Saint Nicholas, but Father Winter watched over the peoples of Europe during the frigid months of the year long before the birth of St. Nick. The ancient Druids once harvested mistletoe as part of the winter solstice ritual, catching the plants before they hit the earth and then distributing them to the villagers to ward off bad luck.Pole Spirits North and South: Santa Claus and the Origin of the Christmas Tree Candlegrove: Oh! Mistletoe!-
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Origin of Christmas Questions
What do you do on Christmas? 16 AnswersThis year, I am doing something completely different than I have ever done. I will celebrate the holidays with my husband's family in Michigan. I am not quite s... read more
What is your favorite Christmas memory? 19 AnswersSitting in bed waiting for Santa with anticipation. I was 7 years old and still believed that Santa Claus was a real live person. My brother was fast asleep in ... read more
Why do you like Christmas trees? 3 AnswersI have been fascinated with Christmas trees back when I was a child. And I think my father has got a lot to do with it. During Christmas time he would go with m... read more
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The Origin of Christmas and its Traditions (Part 2of3)
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@PineappleTime Christmas only exists in Winter because they wanted to stomp all over the Pagan celebrations. (See origin of Xmas tree)
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The Origin of Christmas and its Traditions (Part 1of3)
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