Christmas is a day celebrated by many Christians worldwide, but is it really a Christian Holiday? Although it is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, it can be linked back to Paganism. What are actually the key signs that many Christians miss that makes it a Pagan Holiday? Christmas can be linked to Paganism through three major parts. These parts are Christmas customs, the Christmas tree, and the date December 25th.

    There are many Christmas customs such as: holly, mistletoe, evergreen trees, decorating with lights, etc. All of these customs and more come from Paganism. "Many secular customs now associated with Christmas --- such as decorating with mistletoe, holly, and ivy; indulging in excessive eating and drinking; stringing lights in trees; and exchanging gifts --- can be tracked back to early Pagan festivals..." (Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary, 83). These customs came from the Pagan celebration of the December Solstice. "Holly? Mistletoe? Evergreen trees? Poetic pagan customs concerning these have often been associated with the December Solstice..." (American Holidays and Special Days, 76). One of the most common customs is the Christmas tree.

    On Christmas morning families gather around the Christmas tree to open up presents. Where did the Christmas tree originate? "Even the Christmas tree, a German custom introduced in Britain by Queen Victoria's husband, Albert, can trace its history back to ancient times, when trees were worshipped as spirits." (Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary, 83). Since Christmas is a Christian Holiday, there is no better source than the Bible. In the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 12, verse 2, it states, "Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:" In this verse it talks about serving false gods under mountains, hills, and in particular, a green tree. If this is not enough evidence that the Christmas tree is not Christian, let us go into detail. In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 10, verses 1-6. it says, "Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the ways of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of Heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them, for the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the work man, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the Palm tree, but speak not; they must needs be borne because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might." Now in this verse it does talk about cutting a tree and decorating it. Before this is said, God states to, "Learn not the ways of the heathen." In the American Heritage College Dictionary, the word pagan is defined as a non-Christian; heathen. Although the Christmas tree is proved to have came from Paganism, what about the day that presents are opened from under the tree?

    In the Bible there is no specific date for the birth of Jesus, but then how do we come up with December 25th? "...but most probably the reason is that early Christians wished the date to coincide with the Pagan Roman festival marking the "birthday of the unconquered sun"; this festival celebrated the winter solstice , when the days again began to lengthen and the sun begins to climb higher in the sky." (The New Encyclopedia Britannica, 283). Another resource says, "The choice of December 25 was probably influenced by the fact that on this day the Romans celebrated the Mithraic Sun-god, and that the Saturnalia also came at this time." (Collier's Encyclopedia, 403). In these quotes, it tells us that December 25th was not chosen because of the birth of Jesus, but because of a Pagan Sun-god. How do we get lights and gifts on December 25th? "On the Roman New Year (January 1st) homes were decorated with greenery and lights, and gifts were given to the children and the poor." (The New Encyclopedia Britannica, 283). Early "Christians" may have adopted the Roman New Year to fit their festival of Christmas.

    Although it is true that the date was taken from Paganism, could Jesus actually been born in winter, on December 25th? In the Bible, the book of Luke, chapter 2, verse 8, it reads, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." This verse was talking about what was in the "same country" as Jesus's birth. If we were to celebrate the birth of Jesus, it would not have been in winter. "The sheep were brought in under cover before mid-October to protect them from the cold rainy season that would follow." (Nicholas, www.RemnantofGod.org/PaganXmas.htm).

    Is Christmas a Christian Holiday? Christmas can be linked back to Paganism through three major parts. These parts are Christmas customs, the Christmas tree, and the date December 25th. If early "Christians" wanted pagans to convert to Christianity, they should not have used this technique of Christmas. Instead of having Christians, they were creating Pagan's in "sheep's clothing." In other words they were mixing good with evil and God says in the Bible to "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Now the Bible itself can prove this holiday of Pagan or heathen origin. Jesus never asked anywhere in the Bible for us to worship Him on His birthday, so there is no reason to in a Pagan manner. We should, as Christians, worship Him everyday, no matter what. 

...Joshua

Also see this poem by 'Joshua'