The Pagan Roots of Christmas - How should we respond?

By Patricia King

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Roman pagans who lived before Christ was born first introduced the holiday of Saturnalia, which was a weeklong period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17-25.  During this period, the Roman law stated that no one could be arrested for damaging property or injuring people during this weeklong hellish and lawless celebration. 

In the 4th century, the church in Rome adopted the pagan festival hoping to convert the pagan masses to the faith. They did succeed in converting many and established that December 25th (the festival’s conclusion) was Jesus’ birthday.

Over time, the pagan traditions of Saturnalia dropped off and Christians worldwide continued to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25 (even though it is next to impossible that He was born at that time). Proclamation of the gospel through carols, and other celebrations spread the gospel worldwide. Today, the world’s attention is drawn to Christ through this well-known holiday celebrated by the Christian Church.

When Was Jesus Actually Born?

Some scholars believe that Jesus was actually born in late September at the Feast of Tabernacles, others disagree saying they have calculated early September as the time of His birth. Yet others contend that He was born in late March during the Feast of First Fruits and still others insist that it was early March.

It seems that no one really knows the actual date, but we DO know that He was born and that He came into the world to save sinners.

Lets be careful that we don’t take the focus off Him in the midst of these wrestlings. Too often we  contend over issues that don’t really matter. The whole world takes note of Jesus, His birth and His purpose during the month of December. I believe we should celebrate His birth, life, death, and resurrection every day. Lets redeem EVERY holiday and make it His. He is worthy of it all!

I will celebrate His birth in March, September, and December. I want to celebrate Him every day and in every way. Lets guard our hearts against judgment and “religiosity” and choose to enjoy Him from the heart and lets rejoice in everything that draws attention to Him.

Consider these scriptures:

Romans 14:1-8 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his ownmaster he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 

Titus 1:15  New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.