[BeauBo]

“Wasn’t this also the major religion of Persia (Iran) before the Muslim took over (by the sword)?”

Yes - the religion of the three wise men (Magis) who brought gifts to the baby Jesus.

Kurds (whose language is close to Persian) still have some Zoroastrian practices. The biggest holiday of the year is Newroz (New Year), which they celebrate with bonfires.

[Vigilanteman]

The main reason that the three wise men (Magis) were so anxious to visit the baby Jesus is because the Zoroastrians preached of an eternal balance between good and evil, felt that evil was winning in their day, and looked at Jesus to restore that balance or even possibly tilt things toward good.

The Persian fire dance to celebrate their new year consists of hopping near and away from the fire to symbolize this balance.

Even the Muslims know that this tradition is based in the Zoroastrian religion but tolerate it for much the same reason early Christians tolerated practices which were brought into Christian tradition by pagan converts such as the timing of Christmas, Christmas trees and burning yule logs.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Yes - the religion of the three wise men (Magis) who brought gifts to the baby Jesus.***

I’ve read that the Magi may have actually been Jews of the dispersion from the Court of Persia.(WORD KEYS WHICH UNLOCK CHRISTMAS by Duane Edward Spencer) An interesting take on the subject.