Evidence From Christian History

Christian history testifies that Christmas originated in pagan customs—from those who worshiped idols—and that it was not until much later that the festival became "Christianized."

■ HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH by Philip Schaff, Hendrickson Publishers, pp. 396-397.

"The Christmas festival was probably the Christian transformation or regeneration of a series of kindred heathen festivals—the Saturnalia, Sigillaria, Juvenalia, and Brumalia—which were kept in Rome in the month of December, in commemoration of the golden age of universal freedom and equality, and in honor of the unconquered sun, and which were great holidays, especially for slaves and children. This connection accounts for many custom of the Christmas season, like the giving of presents to children and to the poor, the lighting of wax tapers, perhaps also the erection of Christmas trees...Finally, the church fathers themselves confirm the symbolical reference of the feast of the birth of Christ, the Sun of righteousness, the Light of the world, to the birth-festival of the unconquered sun, which on the twenty-fifth of December, after the winter solstice, breaks the growing power of darkness, and begins anew his heroic career."

■ THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY A Lion Handbook,

p. 141. "The Christian church took over many pagan ideas and images. From sun-worship, for example, came the celebration of Christ’s birth on the twenty-fifth of December, the birthday of the Sun."

■ A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY by Bamber Gascoigne, Robinson,

p. 16."In 274 Aurelian believed that the sun-god had brought him victory in Syria. He set up a state cult to Sol Invictus, the unconquered sun: and announced that the birthday of the sun, a day of special festivity, was December 25th. The sun’s halo, as well as the date of his birthday, would later be borrowed by Christianity."


Judging by historical evidence, we can easily conclude that there is no relationship between Christmas and Jesus’ birth. Christmas is merely a Roman festival—for the sun god—that was Christianized later.

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