Why is Christmas celebrated on the 25th of December?

Answer 1

It is believed that the early Christians did not usually celebrate the birth of Jesus. This is most likely to be true since the primary focus was on His life, crucifixion, and particularly His resurrection (which is mostly believed by Christians). There certainly were some early celebrations.

However, we do not know the exact day that Jesus Christ was born. For the first few centuries after his crucifixion, His birth was not celebrated at all. In 336 AD, the Emperor Constantine declared Christianity the preferred religion, but even then, the church leaders celebrated a date in January as His birth.

The tradition for December 25th is actually quite ancient. Hippolytus, in the second century A.D., argued that this was Jesus' birthday. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Church, January 6th was the date that was followed.

In the fourth century, John Chrysostom (Archbishop of Constantinople) argued that December 25th was the correct date and from that day until now, the Church in the East, as well as the West, has observed the 25th of December as the official date of Jesus' birth. But then, it is quite possible that Jesus was born in the spring. However, the important thing is that He was born at all, the Word come to earth in the likeness of man.

There is evidence to suggest that Christmas was actually a takeover of a pagan festival. When Christianity was first formed, many Christians wanted to be rid of paganism. This is also evident with the wars that occurred in Rome. Many historians do believe that to get rid of paganism Christians took over the pagan festivals in order for them to have nothing to celebrate.

The believers of Christ could not profess their faith among the pagans. The pagans held a winter solstice around the late December. Christians figured out that if they celebrated the birth of the baby Jesus it would be seen as taking part of the pagan rituals.

Answer 2

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 to remember the birth of Jesus Christ.