20. Is December 25 really the date of Christ's birthday?
Most Bible scholars and historians say that it is very unlikely that Christ
was born on December 25. We do not know the exact date of Christ's birth,
since it is not given in the Gospels. There have been many theories as to
when and why we Christians started observing December 25. St. John
Chrysostom tried to figure it from the Day of Atonement and John the
Baptist's birthday, but scholars today say his theory is untenable. Most
scholars hold instead the theory that December 25 was chosen because it is
the date of the winter solstice in the Julian Calendar, the date when the
sun begins its return to northern skies. Pagans therefore celebrated this
day in honor of their "sun god," and on December 25, 274, Emperor Aurelian
proclaimed the sun-god principal patron of the Roman empire. As
Christianity gradually conquered old pagan practices, December 25 was
chosen as the day to observe Christ's birthday so that the old pagan
festival might be replaced with a Christian celebration, the birthday of
Christ, the "Sun of Justice" (a title given Him in the 3rd century). This
theory is not certain, but it seems to be the best one available.
We invite your questions on Mary.
Send them to Father at the Association.
The questions and responses 1-20 come from Catholic Home Study Service,
Rev. Oscar Lukefahr, C.M., Director. If you would like to enroll in a
free course of instruction in the Catholic faith, check out the
Catholic Home Study Service.
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