Why December 25 is Christmas Day?
Christmas on 25th December - why?
Christmas – the grand festival of millions of Christians the world over, on 25th December every year. This year it falls coming Friday. But why 25th December? Why not some other date? If you want answer for this question, you have to travel back in history.
Romans were the earliest race of Christianity. They were worshipping the Sun God. There were two festivals on 25th December – natalis solis invicti – “birth of the unconquered sun”; the birthday of Mithras – “Sun of Righteousness” worshipped by Roman soldiers.
You will be interested to know that way back in the first three centuries of Christianity, there was no Christmas – what the world today celebrates as the Birth Day of Jesus Christ. Birth days were for Pagan Gods as noted by Origen – one of the Church leaders – who opposed celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. Celebrations related to the baptism of Christ Jesus on 6th January. Even today old churches of North America celebrate Christmas on 6th January only.
So the Roman Emperor Constantine declared Christianity as the favorite religion of Romans and Christmas is celebrated on 25th December – in 336 A.D. In the 16th century Pope Gregory devised a new Gregorian Calendar, as opposed to the Julian Calendar, all along been followed by the world. According to this Gregorian calendar, December 25th is accepted to be the Birth Day of Jesus Christ.
Some argue – according to Bible Mother Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem amidst snow ( December being the Winter month) where Jesus Christ was born. On 25th March (a special day for Christians called Annunciation Day) Mary was told that she will have a special baby – the Jesus. Exactly 9 months later on 25th of December, there is every possibility of the child Jesus to have been born.
Whatever the reason, today’s generation celebrates Christmas on 25th December, when at the midnight there is a Mass of Christ conducted in all the Churches. Christ Mass has become Christmas.
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