The Roman roots of Christmas may be older than Christianity
In short: Did the church adopt December 25 to co-opt existing traditions? This video explores how ancient Roman festivals shaped the modern holiday, moving beyond simple labels to look at the evolution of spiritual celebration.
Ancient Romans initially observed December 25 as a festival for the Unconquered Sun, signifying that days were becoming longer. This holiday followed Saturnalia, a major festival characterized by feasting and the exchange of gifts.
Historical records suggest the church in Rome began celebrating Christmas on this specific date during the 4th century under Emperor Constantine. Some historians suggest this move was a strategic effort to weaken pagan traditions by absorbing them into Christian practice.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How Pagan is Christmas?
- Also: Does Christmas have pagan roots? | Britannica
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