Since Christianity has its roots in Judaism and not Paganism, we
have to look at this date in light of Jewish history. In the Jewish month of
Chislev, (our month of December on the 25th day of the month), the
Jewish observance of Chanukah also called Hanukkah was started. This
festival began as the temple was rededicated by Judas Maccabeus in 165
BC, after being desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanaes by his setting up a
pig as a sacrifice in the temple. It is also called the festival of lights. The
Bible account recorded in John 10:22,23 states "At that time the festival
of dedication (or lights) took place at Jerusalem; it was winter and
Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon". Therefore,
Christians chose this date to observe the birth of Jesus, the true "light of
the world" (John 8:12). Since Jesus himself likened His body to a temple
in John 2:19, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up",
Christians felt it appropriate to observe the birth of Jesus Christ, the
"true temple" on December 25th. Excerpts taken from NASB. See also
the complete works of Flavious Josephus-Antiquities of the Jews and
wars of the Jews.
have to look at this date in light of Jewish history. In the Jewish month of
Chislev, (our month of December on the 25th day of the month), the
Jewish observance of Chanukah also called Hanukkah was started. This
festival began as the temple was rededicated by Judas Maccabeus in 165
BC, after being desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanaes by his setting up a
pig as a sacrifice in the temple. It is also called the festival of lights. The
Bible account recorded in John 10:22,23 states "At that time the festival
of dedication (or lights) took place at Jerusalem; it was winter and
Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon". Therefore,
Christians chose this date to observe the birth of Jesus, the true "light of
the world" (John 8:12). Since Jesus himself likened His body to a temple
in John 2:19, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up",
Christians felt it appropriate to observe the birth of Jesus Christ, the
"true temple" on December 25th. Excerpts taken from NASB. See also
the complete works of Flavious Josephus-Antiquities of the Jews and
wars of the Jews.
First of all, most people agree that no one
knows for sure the exact date of Christ's birth.
Because legalistic groups attack the
observance of Christmas (claiming that is of
pagan origins), should that stop Christians
from observing it in a proper way? Since
Christians are not pagan, most choose to honor
Jesus on Christmas day. But where did the
date of December 25th originate?
knows for sure the exact date of Christ's birth.
Because legalistic groups attack the
observance of Christmas (claiming that is of
pagan origins), should that stop Christians
from observing it in a proper way? Since
Christians are not pagan, most choose to honor
Jesus on Christmas day. But where did the
date of December 25th originate?
