Pure, utter bilge. Cr@p. Nonsense.
The feast of the dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem, which celebrated the dwelling of the Spirit of God on Earth in the Temple of The Living God took place on the 25th of the month of Chiselv (approximately December.) [1 Maccabees 4:49] Since Jesus was the indwelling of God on Earth, that date is a prophetic foretelling that is centuries older than Saturnalia. By the way, Saturnalia is Dec. 17-23rd, not Dec. 25th.
The reason Constantine gave was this: Jews, even before Christ, believed that Prophets died on the day they were conceived. Jesus is known to have died on March 25th, which is celebrated as the Feast of the Annunciation, the day the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived. Christians shared this belief. Today, Saints' feast days are held on the date of their death, which is also their "Heavenly feast day," since it is on that day that they are brought into the World of Heaven.
Eastern Orthodox calculated their Calendars differently, so they calculated the date of Good Friday differently. As such, Jesus was held to be born on January 6th.
If Saturnalia isn't a complete coincidence, it's relative approximation to the date of Christmas is simply divine providence, allowing Christians to prepare for Christmas without being conspicuous.
Why do people who call themselves Christians seem so fixated on negating Christian pieties? What is the motivation for spreading such ridiculous lies, Mr. Mulliner? Are you a fool, a patsy, or do you harbor resentment of Christian holidays?
I knew I should have stayed out of the religion section of Free Republic. I guess I am a fool.
Have a nice day anyway.
Because for some the notion of Christian "holidays" constituties a form of will worship.
"I know how difficult it is to persuade the world that God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by his word. The opposite persuasion which cleaves to them, being seated, as it were, in their very bones and marrow, is, that whatever they do has in itself a sufficient sanction, provided it exhibits some kind of zeal for the honor of God. But since God not only regards as fruitless, but also plainly abominates, whatever we undertake from zeal to his worship, if at variance with his command, what do we gain by a contrary course? The words of God are clear and distinct, "Obedience is better than sacrifice." "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men," (1 Sam. 15:22; Matt. 15:9). Every addition to his word, especially in this matter, is a lie. Mere "will worship" (ethelothreeskeia) is vanity. This is the decision, and when once the judge has decided, it is no longer time to debate." (John Calvin, The Necessity of Reforming the Church)