As far back as 203 AD the hypothesis of December 25th as the birth date of Christ was alleged. Some of the forerunners of this hypothesis were Hippolytus of Rome, and Julius Africanus https://www.gci.org/articles/when-was-jesus-born/ Among others, this idea, has been promoted by a group called the “Dominican Friars, province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus; when they published, “Why Christmas is December 25th” https://opwest.org/whythe25th However, this assumption was in flawed from the very beginning. Hippolytus, references Daniel 4:23. And, in the source above, when they wrote, “…Although some think this text is an interpolation…” I agree with their disagreement! Why? Because that passage of scripture has nothing to do with the idea of Christmas, Christ’s birth, or anything related. Further to this, I researched, “Hippolytus of Rome: Commentary on Daniel” and yes, on page 140, book 4, third paragraph, he wrote, that Yeshua’s birth was on December 25th
https://www.pergrazia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/0205_hippolytus_commentary-on-daniel_2010.pdf
But no source or reference as to where he got it from? Corroborating the statement made in https://www.gci.org/articles/when-was-jesus-born/ which says, “… They don’t tell us how they came up with this date…” Interesting! Now to give credit to his/their attempts, at the bottom of the page, there is a footnote referencing the passage, that it was a Wednesday, and 7-8 days before January 1st. But how can a third century writer/theologian be so accurate as to the day of the week, date, and month, when none of the gospels ever mentioned anything remotely close to this? Now we know that an event was taking place in Jerusalem around the time that Mary and Joseph had to attend, it was an annual census. Luke 2:1-5. Now the truth be told, the word of GOD says in Luke 2: 8, “That night there were Shepards in the field nearby attending their flocks of sheep.” Shepards are in the fields with their flocks of sheep in Israel between March and November. Further to this I google searched, ‘2000 years ago, typically how cold was it in late December, early January in Israel at night?’ Here is what the search yielded,
“In late December and early January 2,000 years ago in Israel, nighttime temperatures would typically be around 10°C (50°F), with occasional dips to near freezing (0°C/32°F) on colder nights; essentially, cool to chilly with the possibility of frost in certain regions.”
Further support of this fact is, “When the Christ-child was born “there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). This could never have occurred in Judea in the month of December. The shepherds always brought their flocks from the mountainsides and fields and corralled them not later than October 15, to protect them from the cold, rainy season that followed that date. Notice that the Bible itself proves, in Song of Solomon 2:11 and Ezra 10:9, 13, that winter was a rainy season not permitting shepherds to abide in open fields at night.”
https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/4101/Christs-Birth-.htm
The Shepards were not in the fields on December 25th approximately 2000 years ago! Hippolytus of Rome, and Julius Africanus, may have gotten it wrong?
Further Introspection of “Why Christmas is December 25th https://opwest.org/whythe25th Could have been an attempt by the “Dominican Friars, province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus; to distance themselves from the more commonly accepted pagan birth of Christmas known as, “Sol Invictus”, which began officially in 274 A.D by emperor Aurelian of Rome, when he re- instituted the festival of, “Dies Natalis Solis Invicti” (birthday of the Invincible Sun) (Source: Google search of Sol Invictus) But there’s still a problem with this beginning date, where did this come from? When was the real beginning of “Sol Invictus?
The actual observance of “Sol Invictus” had its birthplace in A.D. 64 when Nero erected a statue of himself, whom Vespasian (Emperor of Rome 69-79 A.D) made known as “Sol” placing a crown on its head. https://penelope.uchicago.edu/encyclopaedia_romana/calendar/invictus.html
By 158 A.D the Eastern cult of the Sun, “Invictus” had crept into Roman society thereby eclipsing the original celebration of “Sol”. To this end, several decades after 158 A.D. (180 CE). Commodus became the sole emperor of Rome establishing himself as, “Sol Invictus”
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/encyclopaedia_romana/calendar/invictus.html
More convincingly and accurately portrayed was, “Josephus remarks that “the law does not permit us to make festivals at the births of our children and thereby afford occasion of drinking to excess” (Against Apion, II.26).
Flavius Josephus (A.D.37- circa100 A.D.) a 1st century Jewish historian, military leader, and priest is an accurate source of biblical and Judean history. Hence, sources that tend to differ, are more easily called into question when compared. Simply put, Christ’s birth was not celebrated, nor was it recorded with such specificity as others may allude too.
“As for the month and day of Jesus’ birth, the Gospels make no specific statement; Jesus’ birth was not commemorated in the early days of the church. Christmas was not included on the church calendar until the fourth century.”
https://www.gci.org/articles/when-was-jesus-born/
Given the latter we see that the celebration, “Sol Invictus” / Christmas, did in fact begin long before 203 A.D., herein, definitely satan orchestrated, from its beginning. As a result, December 25th was in fact the continuation of the pagan celebration, birthed in 64 A.D. by Nero. And Christ Yeshua, my Lord and Saviour was in NO WAY associated with, nor connected to, Christmas and December 25th
But let us go back millenniums before this, The LORD-GOD told Israel to abstain from these very types of evil and pagan practices as recorded in Deuteronomy 12:2, Isaiah 57:5, and Jerimiah 3:13, 17:2. And we see a very noticeably correlation to the Christmas abomination in Jerimiah 10:2-5. If this is not a clear description of the beloved Christmas Tree today, then tell me what is? Furthermore, The Lord-GOD specifically said, in Deuteronomy 12:4 “Do not worship the Lord your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods” (NLT) Some will argue, ‘They did that as idol worship, but we’re just using it as a festive and/or decorative feature for the holidays today!’ No body of Christ! Not acceptable! Why? Because the quote from “HIM” in Deuteronomy was specific and unequivocal! “HE” also backed this up when Paul wrote, “To avoid the very appearance of evil” 1 Thessalonians 5:22. If the, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent GOD warned of these events before they became a setback and ultimately the demise of Israel; How much more us, today, who serve HIM in this 21st Century?
From the above, I hope we have stated a plausible and acceptable series of events. The sequential timelines are unquestionable that happened from 64 A.D. leading up to the early 4TH century. Not only do these history reports support Christs’ disassociation from Christmas and the December 25th birth, but the scriptures also tell of these truths. Christ was not born on December 25th and in the Kingdom of GOD there is no such thing as Christmas. First, as a pagan ritual beginning A.D.64, and then as a 4th century appeasement tool between Christians and pagans; Introduced by the Roman Catholic Church.
The message is not meant to be exhaustive, but short and factual! Why? Because there are numerous accounts of these facts and truths that have been written from millennia. My assignment was not to coerce or persuade, but to make you aware, again. As the mission of New Covenant Prophets Priests & Kings is to the nations, new believers in Christ, and those young in the faith, we are tasked with truth! This message was in obedience to my Father, The Lord-GOD! Of course, I questioned (in my mind), “Lord-GOD, most, already know this or have heard it before, do I really have to write this again, and put it out there?” Sometimes obedience is hard, but necessary. It is the key to a right relationship with GOD! In closing, as is quoted at the end of the message, “The Case for the Holy Days”
“So, any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 (Amplified Bible)
