Why Is Christmas Celebrated On December 25th Catholic
In addition early christian leaders considered the celebration of birthdays a pagan ritual.
Why is christmas celebrated on december 25th catholic. 25 in the julian calendar. On december five and twenty fum fum fum runs the old christmas carol. Most christians today probably can t imagine christmas on any other day than december 25 but it wasn t always that way. Unlike non christians who tend to limit their christmas celebrations to only december 25th catholics continue to celebrate christmas for another 11 days.
In the west the birth of christ was celebrated on december 25 and in the east on january 6. Only x shopping days until christmas december 25 is so ingrained into our conception of christma. In ad 221 he dated jesus s conception to march 25 nine months before december 25. 25 prior to any pagan celebration on the same date.
In fact for the first three centuries of christianity s existence. During this time the birth of christ is celebrated as one continuous festival. This reason however leaves unexplained the choice of the 6th of january ibid p. It is just as important to celebrate during the christmas season as it is to prepare for christ during advent.
At length he concludes. Ending on the evening of january 5th. One reason december 25 may have been deemed suitable is its proximity to the winter solstice. These celebrates can take many forms from additional feasts to social gatherings or even charitable events.
Christ was born in bethlehem of judea 3 in about 400 c e augustine of hippo mentions a local dissident christian group the donatists who apparently kept christmas festivals on december 25 but refused to celebrate the epiphany on january 6 regarding it. The first date listed december 25 is marked. But the december 25th date could have come from roman catholic historian sextus julius africanus. As we do not know the exact date of christ s birth the date of december 25 for christmas may have been arbitrary.
But the december 25th date could have come from roman catholic historian sextus julius africanus. The church has also traditionally celebrated christmas for 40 days culminating on the feast of the presentation feb. Christmas was celebrated dec. The church could have chosen another date on which to celebrate the birth of christ.
The romans celebrated the winter solstice on dec.