What pagan holiday is on December 25th?

Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival.

What pagan holiday does Christmas fall on?

It’s what their ancestors did.” The two most notable pagan winter holidays were Germanic Yule and Roman Saturnalia. Christian missionaries gave these holidays a makeover and they are now known to us as Christmas.

Who is the pagan god of Christmas?

Yule (“Yule time” or “Yule season”) is a festival historically observed by the Germanic peoples. Scholars have connected the original celebrations of Yule to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht.

What are the pagan roots of Christmas?

We can still see the pagan origins of Christmas in many holiday traditions, including mistletoe, which symbolized fertility to pre-Christians and new life even in the depths of winter. Another winter-solstice festival, Yule, was observed by Germanic peoples and connected to Odin, king of the Norse gods.

Why was December 25th important to the pagans?

For literally thousands of years before Christians claimed ownership of December 25th, it was a Pagan holiday celebrating the birth of the Sun God, Sol Invictus which concluded their annual winter festival of Saturnalia. The date is also significant because it has always marked the winter solstice; the shortest day of the year.

Is the 25th of December a Christian holiday?

An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later. For literally thousands of years before Christians claimed ownership of December 25th, it was a Pagan holiday celebrating the birth of the Sun God, Sol Invictus which concluded their annual winter festival of Saturnalia.

When was the first pagan holiday of December?

The truth is that there was a late December pagan holiday that was celebrated long before Jesus was ever born. The Roman Catholics decided to “christianize” that pagan holiday starting in 336 A.D. as a celebration of the birth of Christ.

Why did the Romans celebrate Christmas on December 25th?

The answer points back to the Romans’ pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. Two celebrations in particular took place around December 25 – the Saturnalia, and the birthday of the Sun God, Mithra (Catholic Encyclopedia). The Saturnalia festival began on 17 th December and later expanded with festivities through to the 25 th December.