When Was Christ Born?

The celebratory customs associated with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular traditions.   While the month and date of Jesus' birth are unknown, by the early 4th century, perhaps as early as 311 AD, the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25.  Biblical evidence raises doubts to that date, ‘lambs in the field' occur only in spring, and references to the Roman census that brought the family to Bethlem are not supported by the extensive census records kept by the Romans.  The precise origin of December 25 is unclear.  Various dates were speculated: May 20, April 18 or 19, March 25, January 2, November 17 or 20.  Many scholars believe the date was chosen to correspond with various popular pagan winter solstice festivals in practice, particularly the Roman festival of the ‘sun as god’ celebrated throughout the Empire.  Christians, according to historians, regularly participated.  The Messiah was referred to as the ‘sun of righteousness’  in the old testament.  Some influence may have come from early church leaders’ belief that March 25 was the date of the Annunciation and thus Christ was born 9 months later on Dec. 25.

Many present day practices are direct holdover pagan solstice traditions, kindled lights, ivy, mistletoe, pine boughs, and decorated trees.  The nativity setting was widely introduced in the 12the century by St Francis.  The Romans , interestingly, displayed small doll like figures of gods and family members during solstices celebrations.