The Naked Bible Podcast Naked Bible 195: Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?
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Dec 25, 2017 The conversation dives into the debate about whether Christmas has pagan roots. December 25's origins are dissected, challenging claims of it being borrowed from the festival of Sol Invictus. They explore how early Christians calculated the date, linking it to Jesus’ birth. The hosts also tackle customs like Christmas trees, asserting their symbolism depends on intention rather than paganism. The discussion touches on how missionaries adapted local traditions into Christian practices, emphasizing the heart's intent over mere objects.
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Aurelian May Have Copied Christians
- Aurelian's Sol Invictus festival in AD 274 likely copied a date already important to Christians.
- Evidence shows Christians associated December 25th with the nativity before Aurelian's solar festival.
Early Texts Precede Official Festivals
- Textual evidence (e.g., Hippolytus) ties December 25th to Jesus' birth before Aurelian.
- Eastern January 6th nativity traditions also predate liturgical celebrations by a century.
Judge Practices By Intent Not Origin
- Evaluate Christmas customs by conscious intent, not presumed origin.
- Avoid actions that substitute objects for worship of Christ; focus on heart orientation.
