Shopping mall in Singapore decorated with Christmas tree
From decorated shopping malls, fancy street lights, to that huge tree dazzling under the night sky—a scene familiar to all of us when it comes to the end of the year. This holiday season is an epitome of merry-making. Exchanging of gifts is a “must-have”, not to mention that delicious turkey and log cake for dinner. The list goes on for this festive season.
Regardless of religion, it is a popular Christian festival that most people participate in. Widely celebrated as the “birthday of Jesus Christ”, it falls on 25 December. Ironically, none of the abovementioned can be found anywhere in the Bible. If so, where did all these traditions come from?
In this article, we will be unwrapping the truth behind everyone’s favourite holiday.
Was the Son of God born on 25 December?
The winter months in Bethlehem are from November to March, with some occasional light snow fall in December1). If Jesus was born on a December night, it must have been rather chilly and wintery. Let us take a look at the scene of His birth in the Bible.
Luke 2:8-11 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night …Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Out in the open fields, shepherds were seen herding their flocks… Wait a minute, do shepherds lead their sheep out when it was so cold? Did this scene of the Bible really take place on 25 December?
The Times of Israel: Snow storm in Jerusalem, December (photo credit: Israel Hatzolah)
Hence, it is highly unlikely that 25 December is Jesus’ birthday. In actuality, the Bible has absolutely no records of the birth date of Jesus Christ. In fact, theologians and scholars could not even come to a consensus as to which month Jesus was born.
Some suggested that Jesus may have been born in spring, considering the above-mentioned account in the Bible2). In any case, it could not have been later than October since by then, most shepherds in Israel would have kept their sheep inside.
Some argued Jesus was born in June, summer, or autumn by trying to match the “Star of Bethlehem”3) with actual astronomical events.
The month of September, too, was not spared as they calculated Jesus’ birth date based on John the Baptist’s possible time of conception4).
From all these speculations and research, we can conclude one fact—the birth date of Jesus is unknown.
Since 25 December was not the birthday of Jesus, then what day was it?
It was the birthday of the sun god
Surprisingly, 25 December was actually not the birthday of the Son of God but the sun god instead. In the 1st century B.C., a pagan religion found its way into the great city of Rome, and it later became a “Roman religion”5). It was Mithraism—the worship of the sun-god Mithra. The birthday of Mithra was, yes you guessed it, 25 December6).
In Rome, there were 3 great festivals in December: Saturnalia (17-24 December) when people indulged in great pleasure, Sigillaria (end of December) celebrated by giving dolls to children and Brumalia the winter solstice festival. From these pagan festivals came the celebration of Christmas7).
In addition, in A.D. 274, Roman Emperor Aurelianus (A.D. 270-275) declared 25 December as the day of birth of the Unconquered Sun8).
Why was this date chosen to commemorate the rebirth of the sun? During the winter season, daylight hours shortens. It was only until 25 December, also known as the winter solstice, when daylight hours, then, starts to lengthen.
Then, how did this pagan ritual find its way into the church?
The birthday of the sun god becomes the birthday of the Son of God
During the 2nd century, there seemed to be great interest shown amongst the Christians in dating the birth of Jesus: 20 May, 21 March, 15 April and so on, many dates were proposed9).
By the 4th century, 2 dates emerged as the more prominent ones. One was 25 December, which was more popular in the west. This date was first mentioned by Hippolytus, a father of the Roman church in A.D. 204 (do take note that this date was first associated to the birthday of Christ about 200 years after His coming)10). It is often said that the birthday of the sun god was chosen as a means to “baptise” this pagan festival11). In the east, 6 January was celebrated instead. Eventually, 25 December was the one that prevailed and 6 January became the Feast of Epiphany, a day to commemorate the arrival of the magi in Bethlehem12). The period between these 2 dates became the holiday season better-known today as the 12 days of Christmas.
More Xmas traditions that were rooted from paganism
Christmas Trees, for celebration of the Winter Solstice
The Christmas we see today is richly ornamented with decoratives, mythical stories of a jolly man and flying reindeers, festive foods and customs.
What is surprising is that most of these find their roots in paganism as well.
Christmas tree—the indispensable Christmas decor. The evergreen fir is one of the most ubiquitous decorations during Christmas. Due to its ability to remain green in winter, the ancient Romans often decorated their temples with evergreens for worship and celebration during Saturnalia representing fertility and eternal life13).
The Christmas tree tradition also originated from the tree worship in European countries14).
The modern tradition of Christmas tree decoration was said to begin from the Germans. Legend has it that around the 16th century, Martin Luther, a religious reformer, saw stars twinkling amidst the trees when he was on his way home during winter, reminding him of Jesus’ coming from heaven to the earth15). In order to recapture the scene, he brought in a Christmas tree to his home and decorated it with candles. This tradition was made popular in the United States after Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert set up a Christmas tree16).
Saint Nicholas
Santa Claus—the white-bearded old man in a red suit had its history pointing to a monk named St. Nicholas. The name Santa Claus evolved from his Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas17).
He was a Greek Bishop who lived around the 3-4th centuries in a place called Myra in modern-day Turkey18). Well known for his kindness in helping the poor and sick19), over the course of several hundred years, Nicholas became the bringer of gifts or the protector of children20). A better-known tale of Nicholas was of him saving three sisters from prostitution. He did so by delivering three bags of gold down the chimney to their father as a dowry. This also led to the custom of children hanging red socks by the chimney as they wait for the arrival of their gifts21).
Depiction of Santa Claus (Left) and Depiction of Odin (Right)
Odin, the ruler of Asgard, one of the gods in Germanic mythology was also closely tied to Santa Claus22). During the winter solstice, also known as Yule, Odin would lead a hunting party through the skies ridding on his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir23). He was often portrayed as an old man with a long white beard like St. Nicholas and Santa Claus.
Around winter time, children would leave their boots near the chimney filled with food to feed Sleipnir. As a reward, when Odin flew by, he would fill the children’s boots with gifts24).
Christmas gifts originated from Sigillaria, a pagan custom
Gift exchange—the thing that children look forward to the most. Most Christians today associate this tradition with the gifts from the three wise men to baby Jesus25). Records in the Bible show that they paid respect to the Saviour by presenting Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, the custom of gift-giving actually originated from the Roman. The Early Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a 7-day celebration from December 17, dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture26). Sigillaria was celebrated on December 23, a day of present-giving. This custom was seen as a way of wishing for good luck for the next year. New Christian converts carried over the gift-giving practice as they celebrate the birth of Christ.
Yule log cake
Chocolate Yule log cake—a traditional dessert served after Christmas meals. The history dates back to the medieval era, where the Celtics celebrated the Winter Solstice by burning logs, marking the end of winter27). They believed that the log’s ashes have mystical properties to ward off evil. Over time, as hearths became smaller, the size of the log made it impractical to burn logs. Log cakes were then used in place of burning logs. However, the exact tradition of baking log cakes is still unknown until today.
Holly, sacred plant of Saturn
Holly—a common Christmas decor. Today, people associate the holly’s sharp leaves with Jesus’ crown of thorns and the red berries to the blood He shed. However, the use of holly and ivy as ornamental pieces originated since ancient times due to their ability to remain green during winter, symbolizing rebirth and eternal life28). The Ancient Romans used holly as decors and attached them to gifts during Saturnalia.
Xmas—A Religious Festival?
In all, it seems Christmas has a more pagan outlook than a festival associated with Christ. In the past, the Puritans even banned the celebration of Christmas, associating it with paganism. There is, however, another feast that we should celebrate in commemorating Jesus Christ. This feast was also directly taught by Him. Appearing not only in the Gospels but also New Testament times, it is the Passover of the New Covenant.
Luke 22:7-8, 19-20 … Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”…And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
One of the biggest lie in the entire history of mankind is Christmas. You cannot find it in the bible, and no where in the bible did Jesus mentioned for us to celebrate His birthday. Jesus was not even born in December 25th to start with! Plus, history only indicates that Christmas is the birthday of the sun god, Mithra which the ancient romans worshipped.
Keeping Christmas while saying that it is to commemorate Jesus is no excuse at all. Might as well celebrate all the other festivals of different religions and say that it is in the name of Jesus; this is the same logic with Christmas. Especially we as Christians, must never celebrate such an accursed festival to worship some unknown god. That will be breaking the First Commandment, ‘You shall have no other gods before me.’
Instead of keeping Christmas, by which we will only receive curses from God, why don’t we keep the Passover of the New Covenant by which we can be blessed by God? Please come and keep the Passover of the New Covanant in the WMSCOG, and receive the blessings of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven :).
It is written in the Bible that whatever we do without following the words of God, we can never get the salvation. Rather, we would fall into the destruction. This is what God Almighty said in the Bible.
I was so amazed when I realized that X-mas is the birthday of the sun god.
How can we get salvation by celebrating the birthday of the sun god?
I’ll never celebrate Christmas again!😱
Thank you for giving me saneness to discern good from bad. This is a typical case of Idolatry.
Why Christians celebrate X-mas? When God see them, God will be so sad.
Amazing. After coming to the truth, know that Christmas is coming from the pagan festival. But didn’t know how does exchanges gift related to pagan festival. Through this article, i am able to understand that the exchange gift,log cake and holly come from pagan festival. I am able to understand how does it related.
Thanks for this informative article. God let us know the truth by revealing the origin of Christmas. This day is not related with Christ Jesus at all. Rather, its origin has come from so many pagan religion and customs. Most people on earth, even the Christians don;t know this fact and are indulged in merry-making. It’s a pity.
I never knew all the Christmas decorations has a pagan meaning… soo scary…
I was being deluded with the thought of worshiping God while I was actually going against God by worshiping all these idols.
Thank you for letting me know this fact!
It is very very shocking.. What did i do for a long time? I served Sun god?
I used to say Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas and was corrected by a christian friend that it was not the actual birthday of Jesus. However no proper answer as to why this day was used to celebrate Jesus’ birthday or how this day came about was given. I’m so glad now that i have received the answer to the questions that bugged me for so long.
I hope that all christians and catholics will no longer be hidden in the dark and get to know the truth that was hidden from them!
Yes. Suprisingly Chistmas is not the birthday of Jesus. Let’s think this. If someone celebrate your birthday in other day not your actual birthday, you may be upset. But all most people doing mistake like this.
Why do many people celebrate Christmas on Dec 25? It is not Jesus’ birthday but sun-god’s birthday. If we really believe in God, we must keep the new covenant Passover, not Xmas.
Knowledge is power. Knowledge about the Bible is the power to let us worship God rightly. Thanks to Christ Ahnsahnghong and Heavenly Mother for bring us the truth.
If Christmas is indeed Jesus’ birthday, is it appropriate to celebrate it with joy when He came to this earth in the flesh? He is without sin but for sinners, He came and suffered. Shouldn’t it be a more solemn event? Can we really feel happy that God should have to die because of our sins? Looking back, I should feel guilty for celebrating Christmas. Shouldn’t we give thanks to Him by keeping the Passover instead? I’m thankful that God showed us the way to remember His sacrifice is through the Passover.
There is clearly something very wrong with Christmas…
I am ashamed to have been deceived into celebrating Christmas with the world
Truth has been spoken. An undeniable fact to be presented to unknowing gentiles. Don’t get me wrong, it is not our fault to such ancient histories but definitely our fault to remain ensnared in the hands of mystical falsehoods.
We love you.
Through this article, I exactly know what is wrong. Xmas is sun-god’s birthday that originated pagan’s festival. It’s not Jesus’ Birthday.
In the bible, there’s no Christmas…. Christmas is merely a pagan festival celebrating the birth of the sun god…. Let us be spiritually alert and distinguish!!!!!
Christmas is definitely not a feast that a Christian should celebrate. Lets find out the true feasts of God 🙂
Now I see and understood more clearly the origins of Christmas thru WMSCOG (CHURCH OF GOD) articles. 😀
Some say that the origin is not so important now.. then Can we celebrate and commemorate as a Jesus birthday even if it was originated from Vesak (Buddha’s birth day) festival, Deepavali(Hindu festival) or Hari Raya (Islam Festival)?
Thanks to God our Father for allowing me to realize truth of God!
What is not from the Bible will be of no use on that day. let check the bible to find out what is God’s teaching.
Christmas has nothing to do with the Bible! Those who keep it are standing against God the Savior.
It is so sad that most people on earth are deceived to celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday which is rather the birthday of sun god. We must be more careful and cautious not be to deceived and need to distinguish truth and falsefhood.
Today, many people know that Christmas is not birthday of Jesus Christ. But they just enjoy December 25 as a pretext for Jesus.
Yes, Christmas is not in the bible and has nothing to do with Jesus and His teachings. I hope more people can truly discern the truths!
People are so gullible! December 25 was the birthday of the sun-god.
Let’s get it out into the open because it is important to all!
I’ve been celebrating X-mas as Jesus’ birthday.
I thought it’s really Jesus’ birthday of course.
I’m shocked!
December 25 is the birthday of sun-god and God hate especially sun-god. Would God be pleased to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25?
Never. We don’t have to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ because God never have said that we should keep the birthday of Jesus Christ. But we must commemorate the death of Jesus Christ by keeping the Passover!
I used to celebrate Christmas, thinking it is Jesus’ birthday. However, I am shocked to know that Christmas is not the birthday of Jesus, but of the sun-god! Rather, Jesus commanded us to keep the Passover of the New Covenant which is the most important 😀
If I keep the sun god birthday-christmas. Will God be pleased?
Jesus never told us in the bible to remember or celebrate his birthday. Instead, he eagerly wanted us to keep the Passover to give us eternal life. Christmas is actually Sunmas since its celebrating Sun God’s birthday.
Thanks to god the father and mother for allowing me to know the truth:D
Whole world got deceived.
Knowing the truth, it becomes meaningless to celebrate Christmas.
Amen! Christmas is just a Pagan Ritual
Christmas is not a birthday of Jesus Christ.
How can church celebrate the birthday of sun-god!
It’s nonsense but it is happening.
I am so sad.
I have correctly known the substance of christmas throught this article. I didn’t know that. Thanks so much to teach it.
Many christians still do not know about this fact and follow the custom of their church. I hope that they can also see this post and learn that christmas is not the birthday of Jesus and the important commandment from God is definitely not christmas, which is not even found in the bible.
The Bible doesn’t testify Christmas. God said that we must follow the words of God without addition and subtraction. So we don’t celebrate Christmas and we keep God’s command Passover!
Christmas is the birthday of Sun God. We don’t have to celebrate that day.
How can this be? I never want to celebrate Christmas anymore. Thank you WMSCOG for revealing the truth!
I use to love Christmas celebration because I thought it was the “birthday of Jesus”. I was living in a lie. This is definitely a shocking truth everyone should know about.
It is so obvious that Christmas is not a birthday of Jesus Christ!
Hope many people realize this truth.
If Christmas is the festival of some other god, I shouldn’t keep it! Going to keep only the festival in the bible 🤓
Oh wow, Christmas came out from people’s conclusion, and nt a festival of the bible 😲
Christmas is just a man made thing like Chinese new year,previously we might celebrate to have fun with families and friends but definitely it’s not for our saviors Thanks to God for giving me wisdom to tell right from wrong!
I was very surprised to first read that Christmas was not Jesus’ birthday when I was still a student and it’s alarming how the world is celebrating it. So glad that I came to know the truth in WMSCOG after I started working. If we believe in God, we should make every effort to know Him. Christmas is a man-made festival and NOT found in the Bible. Come and keep the Passover instead! 🙂
Oh my… Can’t imagine christian around the world are keeping this. Must quickly let my family and friends know about the truth of Christmas.
Christmas is not the birthday of Christ Jesus. Before I didn’t know about this. But bible clearly show us christmas is not the birthday of Jesus.
Christmas is not birthday of Jesus. It is not right celebrate christmas that is not in the bible. If we keep christmas, we can’t be saved.
Christmas is the Sun god’s birthday, that is pagan’s festival. Jesus Christ was not born Dec, 25th in winter.
Good to know the truth. I hope the more people come to know it.
There is no word “Christmas” in the bible. We must face up to the fact about Christmas. It is birthday of the sun, not Jesus Christ.
It doesn’t make sense that Jesus was born at this winter season in biblically and commonsensically!
It’s amazing that Christmas is not birthday of Jesus Christ and come from pagan custom, the birthday of sun. Through this truth, i decided not to celebrate the Christmas.
Wow !!! Glad that i am able to know the origin of Christmas after coming to World Mission Society Church of God. So that i will not celebrate Christmas.
The bible records everything necessary for the salvation of souls. If Jesus’ birthday was important to celebrate there should be the record in the bible. If a cross is essential, Jesus and his disciples must have given us good examples to follow. But nowhere in the bible can we find such examples. Both of them were introduced during the time when the church became paganized and secularized by accepting the customs of nations. Now we must go back to the time when the truth was shining brightly, leading people to salvation, that is, the time of Christ and disciples of the early church for our salvation by keeping the Sabbath and seven festivals.
Amen. The bible is the guide book of our salvation. So we should try to know how to give the forgiveness of sin and go to the kingdom of heaven. The most important bible’s feast is the New covenant Passover. Let us keep the Passover that gives us eternal life.
After knowing the truth that Jesus was not born on Christmas but rather it is a pagan festival that mixed up with Christianity, I would not want to celebrate it! In fact, Jesus commanded us to keep Resurrection Day to commemorate His Resurrection.
It’s very easy to understand the origin of christmas.then why do many people celebrate it?