Christmas, a globally celebrated holiday, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. But have you ever paused to wonder, Why Is Christmas Celebrated On December 25th? It’s a question that sparks curiosity, especially considering the Bible doesn’t specify a date for this pivotal event. For those involved in guiding youth and exploring faith, understanding the historical context behind Christmas’s date can lead to enriching discussions and a deeper appreciation for the holiday’s meaning.
While it’s not the most pressing issue facing young people today, the date of Christmas provides a fascinating entry point for conversations about faith, tradition, and the historical development of Christian practices. Instead of dismissing it as just another holiday, exploring the “why” behind December 25th can invigorate the familiar Christmas narrative, offering fresh perspectives for both church-going and non-church-going individuals alike.
Delving into the Theories Behind December 25th
Over time, various theories have emerged attempting to explain the selection of December 25th as Christmas Day. Let’s explore three prominent explanations:
1. The Pagan Holiday Overlap Theory
Perhaps the most widely circulated theory suggests that the Church strategically chose December 25th to coincide with existing pagan festivals prevalent during the winter solstice period. The idea is that by aligning Christmas with these popular celebrations, the Church aimed to ease the transition for pagans converting to Christianity, essentially offering Christmas as a familiar, yet Christianized, alternative.
However, it’s important to note that this theory wasn’t explicitly documented until the 12th century. This doesn’t automatically invalidate the pagan connection, but it does suggest that it wasn’t the primary, or at least the initially stated, motivation for fixing Christmas on December 25th.
As scholar Andrew McGowan points out:
“There are problems with this popular theory, however, as many scholars recognize. Most significantly, the first mention of a date for Christmas (c. 200) and the earliest celebrations that we know about (c. 250–300) come in a period when Christians were not borrowing heavily from pagan traditions of such an obvious character.”
While later Christmas traditions undoubtedly incorporated elements from pagan celebrations, attributing the December 25th date solely to a deliberate “Christianization” of pagan holidays seems to oversimplify a more complex historical development. It’s a compelling narrative, but perhaps not the complete picture.
2. The Annunciation and Crucifixion Date Connection
Another compelling theory links the Christmas date to the traditionally held date of Jesus Christ’s death. Theologian Tertullian, in the early 3rd century, identified March 25th as the likely date of Jesus’ crucifixion, aligning with the timing of Passover. Intriguingly, March 25th is precisely nine months before December 25th. This led to the proposition that December 25th was chosen to mark Jesus’ birth, based on the calculation from his death date.
Early Christian tradition further connected Jesus’ death date with the Annunciation – the event where the angel Gabriel informed Mary that she would conceive and bear the Messiah. This theological connection is visually represented in numerous Annunciation artworks, often depicting baby Jesus holding a cross or with a cross subtly included, symbolizing his dual nature as both born and destined for sacrifice. This interpretation emphasizes Jesus’s arrival as the “Lamb of God,” born for the purpose of redemption.
Some raise objections to a December 25th birthday, citing that shepherds wouldn’t typically keep flocks outdoors during winter. However, historical context reveals that shepherds raising temple sacrifice sheep maintained their flocks year-round in the hills near Jerusalem, making them readily accessible for pilgrims – aligning with the Migdal Eder theory regarding Jesus’ birthplace.
Interestingly, the Eastern Church, which observes the Annunciation on April 6th, celebrates Christmas on January 6th. The period between December 25th and January 6th is recognized as the Twelve Days of Christmas. Regardless of the slight date variation between Western and Eastern traditions, both directly link the Christmas date to the Annunciation, rather than pagan festival synchronization.
This Annunciation/Crucifixion theory boasts historical support dating back to the 4th century. Notably, Augustine of Hippo, a highly influential figure in Christian theology, cited this explanation for the December 25th Christmas celebration, lending significant weight to its credibility within Church tradition.
3. The John the Baptist’s Birth and Spring Calculation Theory
A less prevalent, yet thought-provoking theory, revolves around the birth of John the Baptist. John’s father, Zechariah, served as a priest in the priestly division of Abijah. The Gospel of Luke recounts that while Zechariah was serving in the temple, an angel appeared, foretelling John’s birth. Later, the angel Gabriel informed Mary about her impending pregnancy, stating that her relative Elizabeth (Zechariah’s wife) was already six months pregnant with John (Luke 1:36). This implies Jesus’ birth would be approximately six months after John’s.
Priestly divisions like Abijah served in the temple twice annually. Considering travel during the rainy season was challenging and less conducive to census-taking (mentioned in the Christmas narrative), Zechariah’s temple service was more likely during the late spring. While the exact timeframe between his temple service and Elizabeth’s conception is uncertain, it was likely brief. This timeline suggests Elizabeth conceived around May/June, leading to John the Baptist’s birth in February/March, and subsequently, Jesus’ birth roughly six months later, around August/September.
Joseph Lenard provides a more detailed exploration of this theory, although further scholarly research is always valuable. While this theory aligns less with traditional December/January Christmas dates, it offers a plausible alternative rooted in biblical accounts. However, it hinges on pinpointing Zechariah’s temple service timing, a detail not explicitly stated in scripture, potentially explaining why early Christians might not have easily arrived at this conclusion – or perhaps they did, and the December/January tradition arose through other influences.
The Enduring Joy of Christmas, Regardless of the Exact Date
Ultimately, while the precise calendar date of Jesus’ birth remains uncertain, and debated, the absence of a specified date in Scripture suggests its exactness wasn’t deemed paramount. The Annunciation/Crucifixion theory provides a historically and theologically grounded explanation for the Church’s adoption of December 25th as Christmas Day.
As McGowan concludes:
“In the end we are left with a question: How did December 25 become Christmas? We cannot be entirely sure. Elements of the festival that developed from the fourth century until modern times may well derive from pagan traditions. Yet the actual date might really derive more from Judaism—from Jesus’ death at Passover, and from the rabbinic notion that great things might be expected, again and again, at the same time of the year—than from paganism.”
The core message of Christmas transcends a specific date. The true significance lies in why and how Jesus was born. Christmas celebrates the profound truth that God entered humanity, offering salvation and eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17.
This enduring message of divine love and redemption remains the heart of Christmas, regardless of the calendar date.
