Christmas wasn't widely observed until after Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Western Christians officially began celebrating December 25th as the birth of Jesus in 336 AD. Several Internet sources indicate, that around the year 273 AD, Christian leaders began to consider that the existing pagan festival of the winter solstice would be a fitting time to honor the son of God’s Coming to earth.
According to Christianity Today, December 25th, at that time, was the appointed feasts of the Roman birth of the unconquered sun, and the birthday of the Iranian Sun of Righteousness: two debaucherous holidays. The thinking at the time was that celebrating the Birth of Christ would be a good offset to paganism: a way to teach the masses lessons about sin and redemption. While this seemed a good idea at the time, maybe the Universal Church should ask itself the question, “How is that working out for us?”
What have been the iterations of December 25th through the centuries?
Winter solstice; Yule tide season.
Christmas; Celebration of the Birth of Christ.
Christmas shopping season.
Xmas shopping season.
Holiday shopping season.
After Christmas sales begin!
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Universal Church, THE PAGANS ARE WINNING!
The actual date of Christ’s Arrival on earth, has been lost to history. But, if on that night, the shepherds were outside guarding their flocks, the likelihood of that being a December night in Israel is remote.
In fact, the secular odds of December 25th being the date of this Event are 1 in 366: a 99.7% chance it is not the actual date. From a climate prospective, given the activity of the shepherds, the more reasonable estimations would be early spring (modern April) or early fall (modern October).
Again, since God has Chosen to not Reveal the Date to us, it is up to Christians who wish to mark the Date (Romans 14:5), to make a reasoned, logical, decision on which date that would be.
Recommendation:
December 25th is clearly a loser for Christians. It has infected us with many pagan practices: trees, decorations, gluttony and serving the wrong master-money.
A Sunday in April would be appropriate. However, it would crowd the Commemoration of the Atonement and Glory of Christ, a holiday that should be formerly known as Easter (another pagan influence).
The 1st Sunday in October. Secular Labor Day is past. Pagan Halloween is still distant enough to not overshadow. Columbus Day would be no competition.
So, what do you say, Christians? If December 25th was only the pagan celebration of the winter solstice, holiday shopping could be painless, or at least not so much so.
And, as a stand-alone commemoration, the Birth of Christ would be pagan-less.
If Christians leave things as they are now, all I can do is wish you a merry commerce.
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Here is something that is Truly Divine.
Worldwide Communion day is also celebrated on the first Sunday in October.