You'll notice the largest bloc is post-Pentecost--the spreading of the Gospel and the winning of souls for the Lord.
in the northern hemisphere Dec 25th is about the time you can notice the days lengthening, that the sun is coming back, seems like a cause for celebration way before the Christ was born. No science here, just a thought
Jesus was clearly born in the springtime if you’re a scholar
Shepherds in the fields etc
That being said clebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at the winter solstice makes a lot of sense
Festival of Lights. He is the way the truth and the light
Now Santa Claus ? That’s just silliness
Merry Christmas freepers !
People will pronounce theories as if they are facts though. Even to beat people over the head with whatever intellectual 'proofs'.
This was a very good article. It didn't do that at all, but rather provided the sources or potential origins for the numerous ideas and traditions.
Refreshing. Thanks.
The Old Calendar (Julian Calendar) has his birth on January 7.
The Julian Calendar predates the Gregorian Calendar (from the 16th century, when Pope Gregory XIII instituted the New Calendar). The Gregorian Calendar set the Nativity at December 25. The thirteen-day change was to align the Old Calendar with the civil calendar; purely administrative and scientific purposes.
There was a battle over the calendar between Roman and Eastern Catholic. The Gregorian calendar became a frontline of battle to make the Orthodox submit to the RCC.
Here is a very good background to understand the history and the science behind the change:
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/coptic_calendar/nativitydate.html
Ultimately it doesn’t matter what day it was. The celebration itself is enough.
The Winter Solstice Festival of Lights sounds as good as any time... After all, God is Light </ s>
Chuck Missler explained it this way.
Historical and Biblical evidence makes Jesus approximately 33 1/2 years old when He was crucified on the eve of the Passover in March-April.
That would put his birthday somewhere between mid August to mid-October.
Given this timing, it is entirely possible that his mother conceived Him in late December or early January, which is roughly congruent to the Advent celebrations of both Western and Eastern churches.
December 25th was chosen because Jewish converts did not want to give up their Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
The thing about the celebration of Christmas is that there is several events in the Christmas Story that are wrapped up into a one day event for convenience when in reality they are events that happen over several months before the Dec 25th 2 B.C. The birth of Christ didn't happen on Dec 25, I don't think any one really knows when he was born, but historical we do know when the wise men saw the star that lead them to Jesus. Again I'm not up on the details, one needs to do a internet search for the details. There was an advertisement for a Video or book on the web site and I think the advertisement was for Rick Larson DVD called "The Star of Bethlehem: Unlock the Mystery of the World's Most Famous Star" In that DVD he deals with the wise men and the star and a few other things and when they all happened historically. Do a search on him and his work on the Internet.
because we know when Zachariah went into the temple, around the end of September. We also know that Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant when Mary conceived of the Holy Spirit. So that would have been the end of march, making the end of December the time of Jesus’ birth. My source? Fr Mitch Pakwa SJ from EWTN
On December 25, SOME Christians around the world will gather to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
The original Christian Church, The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, celebrates the birth of Jesus on January 7th.
The Roman Catholic church, which broke away from the Orthodox Church and later the Church of England that broke from the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Churches resulting from Martin Luther’s theses celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th.
The original Christian Church, The Eastern Orthodox Church remains unchanged since Pentecost.
I don’t care what you say. I’m pulling out the Festivus pole this weekend, and then the Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strength will begin soon afterward.
The most important thing is Christ’s birth is remembered.
You'll notice the largest bloc is post-Pentecost--the spreading of the Gospel and the winning of souls for the Lord.
15 Tishri 3757 - Sukkot / Birth of Yeshua
September 14, -4
15 Nisan 3790 - (30 C.E.) Pesach / Crucifixion of Yeshua
Calendar converter
http://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/calendar/
Shepherds do not watch over their flocks by night, in winter! Sukkot, late summer, a pilgrimage festival, three times a year all males go up to Jerusalem, that's why there was no room at the inn(s).