Biblical Debates: Did Christians Steal Christmas from Pagans?

What evidence is there that Christmas has pagan origins?

It is true that many cultures celebrated midwinter festivals around the time of the winter solstice, long before the birth of Christ. The Roman festival of Saturnalia, for instance, was held in late December and involved gift-giving and merrymaking (Roberts, 1996). Some scholars have argued that early Christians deliberately chose December 25th to coincide with these existing celebrations.

But we must also consider that the date of Christmas may have been chosen for purely Christian reasons. Early theologians calculated March 25th as the date of Jesus’ conception, based on Jewish tradition that great men died on the same date they were conceived. Counting forward nine months leads to December 25th as the birth date (Simmons, 2015, p. 299).

The use of evergreen decorations and lights during winter celebrations does have precedent in pagan traditions. But we must remember that symbols can be reinterpreted and given new meaning. Just as God’s grace can transform our hearts, so too can cultural practices be transformed to glorify Christ.

Although there may be some pagan influences on the outer trappings of Christmas, the core meaning – celebrating the Incarnation of our Lord – is uniquely and beautifully Christian. Let us focus on this powerful mystery rather than becoming overly concerned with debates about origins.

Did early Christians celebrate Christmas? If not, when did it become a Christian holiday?

The historical record shows that the earliest Christians did not celebrate Christmas as we know it today. The birth of Christ was not a focus of celebration in the first centuries of the Church. Instead, early Christians emphasized Easter and the resurrection as the central mystery of faith (Roberts, 1996).

The first clear evidence we have for the celebration of Christmas on December 25th comes from Rome in 336 AD (Simmons, 2015, p. 299). This was during the reign of Emperor Constantine, after Christianity had become legal in the Roman Empire. The celebration then spread to other parts of the Christian world over the following centuries.

It’s important to understand that the early Church was more concerned with Christ’s death and resurrection than with the details of his birth. The Gospels themselves give us very little information about the date or circumstances of Jesus’ nativity. The focus was on the powerful theological meaning of the Incarnation rather than on marking a specific birthday.

As the Church grew and developed there arose a desire to commemorate the full cycle of Christ’s life. The celebration of Christmas emerged gradually as part of this process, allowing believers to reflect on the mystery of God becoming man.

We should not see this later development of Christmas as somehow inauthentic. Rather, it represents the organic growth of Christian tradition under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just as a seed grows into a mighty tree, so too has our liturgical calendar developed to nourish the faith of believers through the ages.

What pagan winter solstice traditions are similar to Christmas customs?

Many ancient cultures celebrated the winter solstice as a time of renewal and hope, marking the gradual return of longer days. The Roman Saturnalia festival, for instance, involved feasting, gift-giving, and a temporary relaxation of social hierarchies (Roberts, 1996). These elements may seem familiar to our modern Christmas celebrations.

The use of evergreen decorations was common in pagan winter festivals across Europe. Evergreen plants symbolized enduring life amidst the dark winter months. Similarly, the lighting of fires or candles to symbolize the return of light was a widespread practice (Lauritsen et al., 2018, pp. 285–299). We can see echoes of these customs in our Christmas trees and lights.

In Germanic and Scandinavian traditions, the Yule festival involved feasting, singing, and the burning of a Yule log. Some scholars have drawn connections between these practices and certain Christmas traditions (Esteve-Faubel & Esteve-Faubel, 2015, p. 343).

But we must remember that symbols and practices can be reinterpreted and given new meaning. The Church has often sanctified existing customs, infusing them with Christian significance. The evergreen tree becomes a symbol of eternal life in Christ. The lights represent Jesus as the Light of the World.

Many of our Christmas customs have distinctly Christian origins. The tradition of gift-giving, for instance, recalls both the gifts of the Magi and God’s gift of His Son to the world. The focus on charity and goodwill reflects Christ’s teachings of love and compassion.

How did December 25th become associated with Jesus’ birth?

The association of December 25th with the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ has a complex history, intertwining theological reasoning, historical circumstances, and perhaps some influence from existing cultural practices.

The Gospels do not provide a specific date for Jesus’ birth. The early Church was more focused on the powerful theological significance of the Incarnation rather than on marking a particular birthday (Simmons, 2015, p. 299). But as the faith spread and developed, there arose a desire to commemorate this momentous event.

One major factor in choosing December 25th was a theological calculation. Some early Christian writers believed that great prophets died on the same date they were conceived. They dated Jesus’ crucifixion to March 25th. Counting forward nine months from this date of the Annunciation leads to December 25th as the birth date (Simmons, 2015, p. 299). This reasoning shows how the date was chosen based on Christian symbolism and belief, rather than simply adopting a pagan festival.

But we cannot ignore the historical context. The Roman festival of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) was celebrated on December 25th. Some scholars have suggested that Christians chose this date to provide a Christian alternative to the pagan celebration (Hijmans, 2017, pp. 377–398). While this theory has been influential, we must be cautious about oversimplifying the relationship between Christian and pagan practices.

January 6th (Epiphany) was an earlier date associated with Christ’s birth in some Eastern churches. The gradual adoption of December 25th in the West and its spread to other parts of Christendom was a process that took place over several centuries (Roberts, 1996).

Although the historical details are interesting, they should not distract us from the powerful spiritual truth we celebrate. Whether or not December 25th is the actual date of Christ’s birth, it is the day we have set aside to marvel at the mystery of the Incarnation – God’s love made manifest in human form. Let this be our focus as we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child.

What did the Church Fathers teach about celebrating Christ’s birth?

In the earliest centuries of Christianity, there was no uniform celebration of Christ’s birth. The focus of early Christian worship and theology was primarily on the death and resurrection of Jesus, as celebrated in the Easter feast (Roberts, 1996). The nativity was not initially a major liturgical event.

But as the Church developed and reflected more deeply on the mystery of the Incarnation, attitudes began to change. By the 4th century, we see Church Fathers beginning to address the celebration of Christ’s birth more directly.

St. John Chrysostom, in a sermon delivered in Antioch around 386 AD, spoke enthusiastically about the feast of the Nativity, which he described as very new to that region. He defended the December 25th date, arguing that it was based on careful calculation and tradition passed down from the early Church in Rome (Simmons, 2015, p. 299). This shows that by this time, some Church Fathers were actively promoting the celebration of Christmas.

St. Augustine, writing in the early 5th century, also spoke positively about celebrating Christ’s birth. He saw it as an opportunity to counter pagan festivals with Christian observance, encouraging believers to celebrate not with excessive feasting with spiritual joy and charitable works.

But we must also acknowledge that some early Christian writers expressed reservations about birthday celebrations in general, seeing them as a pagan custom. Origen, for instance, noted that in Scripture, only sinners are recorded as celebrating birthdays.

As the celebration of Christmas became more widespread Fathers emphasized the need to focus on its spiritual meaning rather than worldly excesses. St. Gregory Nazianzen, in a Christmas sermon, urged his flock to “keep the feast, not after the manner of a heathen festival after a godly sort.”

What we see in the teachings of the Church Fathers is a gradual embrace of Christmas celebration, coupled with a constant emphasis on its powerful spiritual significance. They remind us that in celebrating Christ’s birth, we are not merely marking a historical event encountering anew the transformative mystery of the Incarnation.

Are Christmas trees and other decorations rooted in paganism?

The origins of our beloved Christmas traditions are complex, with roots that reach deep into human history. The Christmas tree, that cherished symbol of the season, does have connections to pre-Christian customs its meaning has evolved over time.(Bertaina, 2020)

In ancient times, evergreen boughs were used by various cultures to celebrate the winter solstice and the promise of spring’s return. The Romans adorned their homes with evergreens during Saturnalia, while ancient Egyptians and Chinese brought green palm rushes and evergreen branches indoors as symbols of eternal life.(Johnson, 2005)

But we must be careful not to oversimplify. The Christmas tree as we know it today emerged gradually in Christian contexts. By the 16th century, devout Christians in Germany began bringing decorated trees into their homes. The custom spread slowly at gaining popularity in the 19th century.(Bertaina, 2020) This gradual evolution was influenced by various cultural practices, intertwining Christian traditions with pre-existing pagan customs. The symbolism of evergreen trees, which were used in ancient rituals to signify eternal life, contributed to the association of Christmas trees and pagan origins. As the custom spread across Europe and eventually to other parts of the world, it took on new meanings and adaptations, reflecting the diverse beliefs of the seasons and celebrations.

Other Christmas decorations also have diverse origins. Holly and mistletoe were revered by the Druids, yet early Christians imbued them with new symbolism – holly’s red berries representing Christ’s blood, its thorny leaves His crown of thorns. Candles, while used in pagan solstice rituals, came to represent Christ as the Light of the World.(Bertaina, 2020)

I see in these evolving traditions a reflection of our human need for light and hope in dark times. I recognize the interweaving of cultural threads. And as a man of faith, I perceive God’s hand gently guiding His people to find meaning and joy in the celebration of His Son’s birth.

How did gift-giving become part of Christmas celebrations?

The tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas has a rich and layered history, one that beautifully illustrates how human customs and divine inspiration can intertwine over time.

The practice of gift-giving during winter festivals predates Christianity. The Romans exchanged gifts during Saturnalia, a December festival honoring Saturn. But for Christians, the tradition became associated with the gifts of the Magi to the infant Jesus, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew.(Santino & Schmidt, 1996, p. 1216)

In the Middle Ages, the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th became an occasion for gift-giving in many European countries. St. Nicholas, known for his generosity to the poor, became a model of Christian charity. Over time, in some cultures, the gift-giving aspect of St. Nicholas Day merged with Christmas celebrations.(Santino & Schmidt, 1996, p. 1216)

The 19th century saw a major shift in Christmas customs, particularly in America. As Christmas became more commercialized, gift-giving took on greater prominence. The emerging consumer culture played a role so did a renewed emphasis on family and children.(Santino & Schmidt, 1996, p. 1216)

Psychologically we can see how gift-giving fulfills deep human needs – for connection, for expressing love, for participating in shared cultural rituals. I note how economic and social changes shaped the evolution of this custom.

Yet as followers of Christ, we must remember the true Gift at the heart of Christmas – God’s gift of His Son to the world. Our exchange of gifts can be a beautiful reflection of this divine generosity, a way of expressing love and strengthening bonds of family and community.(Dyble et al., 2015, pp. 140–144)

But we must be vigilant against the excesses of consumerism that can distort this meaningful practice. Let our gift-giving be thoughtful and measured, focused on expressing love rather than on material value. In this way, we honor the spirit of St. Nicholas and, more importantly, emulate the selfless love of Christ.

What Christian meaning was given to formerly pagan customs?

Throughout the history of our faith, we see a remarkable process of cultural adaptation and transformation. As the Gospel spread to new lands, it often encountered deeply rooted local customs and beliefs. Rather than simply rejecting these traditions, the Church often sought to infuse them with new, Christian meaning.(Wheeler, 2020)

This process, sometimes called “inculturation,” reflects both divine wisdom and human ingenuity. It recognizes that God can speak through various cultural forms, while also acknowledging the deep human need for continuity and familiar rituals.

Let us consider some specific examples:

The date of Christmas itself, December 25th, was likely chosen to coincide with pagan winter solstice festivals. In Rome, this was the festival of Sol Invictus, the Unconquered Sun. Christians reinterpreted this celebration of light’s triumph over darkness as a celebration of Christ, the true Light of the World.(Wheeler, 2020)

The Yule log, originally part of Norse solstice celebrations, became in Christian tradition a symbol of Christ’s light entering the world. Similarly, the evergreen wreaths used in pagan fertility rituals were reinterpreted as symbols of God’s eternal love and the promise of eternal life through Christ.(Bertaina, 2020)

Even the figure of Santa Claus, with roots in various European folklore traditions, was gradually associated with St. Nicholas and became a symbol of Christian generosity and care for children.

Psychologically this process of reinterpretation allowed people to maintain a sense of cultural continuity while embracing a new faith. It eased the transition, making the new religion feel less foreign and more integrated into daily life.

I see in this a pattern repeated throughout Christian history – the Gospel does not seek to erase culture to transform it from within. This reflects St. Paul’s approach of becoming “all things to all people” to win them for Christ (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Yet we must also be discerning. Not all pagan customs could be Christianized, and the early Church was careful to reject practices incompatible with the faith. The goal was not syncretism a genuine transformation of culture in light of the Gospel.

Is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Christmas given its pagan connections?

This question touches on a matter that has troubled some sincere believers over the years. It is a question that deserves our thoughtful consideration, rooted in both historical understanding and spiritual discernment.

We must acknowledge the historical reality that many Christmas customs have connections to pre-Christian practices. As we have discussed, the date of December 25th, the use of evergreens, and even some gift-giving traditions have roots in pagan winter festivals.(Wheeler, 2020)

But it would be a grave error to conclude from this that Christmas is therefore a pagan holiday or that Christians should avoid celebrating it. Such a view fails to understand how God works through human culture and history to draw all people to Himself. Additionally, the debate on the term Xmas highlights the ongoing conversation about the commercialization of Christmas and its true meaning. It serves as a reminder that, regardless of its origins, the holiday can be an opportunity for believers to reflect on the birth of Christ and to express love and compassion towards others. Ultimately, embracing Christmas within a Christian framework can lead to spiritual growth and deeper connections with the community.

Psychologically we can see how rituals and celebrations fulfill deep human needs – for community, for marking the passage of time, for finding meaning in the rhythms of nature. The early guided by the Holy Spirit, wisely recognized this and sought to fulfill these needs in a way that pointed to Christ.(Wheeler, 2020)

I have noticed that the process of transforming cultural practices is a common pattern in the spread of the Gospel. We see it not only in Christmas traditions but in the adoption of pagan temples as churches, the reinterpretation of philosophical concepts, and the Christianization of local customs throughout the world.(Wheeler, 2020)

But most importantly, as followers of Christ, we must focus on the heart of Christmas – the Incarnation, God’s incredible act of love in becoming human for our sake. This miracle, this mystery, is what we truly celebrate at Christmas. The cultural trappings, whether of pagan origin or not, are secondary to this central truth.

That said, we should approach our Christmas celebrations with mindfulness and intentionality. If certain customs feel uncomfortable or seem to detract from our focus on Christ, we are free to modify or omit them. What matters is the spirit in which we celebrate, not the specific forms our celebration takes.

Let us also remember that for many of our brothers and sisters around the world, Christmas traditions provide a rare opportunity to share the Gospel message with those who might not otherwise hear it. In this light, these customs become tools for evangelization, regardless of their origins.

Celebrate Christmas with joy and clear conscience, focusing on the incredible gift of Christ. Let your celebrations be filled with love, generosity, and gratitude to God. In doing so, you participate in the long tradition of the Church transforming human culture to glorify God.

How can Christians honor Christ’s birth while being aware of Christmas’ complex history?

We must center our hearts and minds on the powerful mystery of the Incarnation. This miraculous event – God becoming human, entering our world as a vulnerable infant – is the true heart of Christmas. Let this be the foundation of all our celebrations, the source of our joy and wonder.(Walker, 2013, pp. 903–908)

At the same time, we can approach our Christmas customs with a spirit of historical awareness and cultural appreciation. Understanding the diverse origins of our traditions need not diminish their meaning for us today. Rather, it can deepen our appreciation for how God works through human culture and history to draw all people to Himself.(Wheeler, 2020)

Here are some practical suggestions for honoring Christ’s birth while acknowledging Christmas’ complex history:

1. Educate yourself and your family about the origins and evolution of Christmas traditions. This can lead to rich discussions about faith, culture, and how God works in history.
2. Incorporate explicitly Christ-centered elements into your celebrations. This might include reading the Nativity story, setting up a crèche, or participating in Advent devotions.
3. Reflect on the symbolism of various Christmas customs, considering how they might point to Christ. For example, see the light of Christmas candles as reminding us of Jesus, the Light of the World.
4. Practice intentional generosity, remembering that our gift-giving echoes God’s gift of His Son to us. Consider donating to charities or serving those in need as part of your Christmas celebration.
5. Embrace the beauty of cultural diversity in Christmas celebrations around the world. This reflects the universal nature of Christ’s coming and the global reach of His Church.
6. If certain traditions feel uncomfortable or seem to detract from your focus on Christ, feel free to modify or omit them. What matters is the spirit of your celebration, not its specific forms.

Psychologically this approach allows us to maintain meaningful traditions while deepening our understanding and spiritual growth. I see it as participating in the ongoing dialogue between faith and culture that has characterized Christianity from its earliest days.

Remember, that in celebrating Christ’s birth, we join with believers across time and space in proclaiming the Good News. Let your Christmas be a testament to the transforming power of God’s love, a beacon of hope and joy in our world.

May the peace and love of the Christ Child fill your hearts and homes this Christmas season.

—