Why is Christmas celebrated on 25th December? No one knows the real birthday of Jesus! No date is given in the Bible, so why do we celebrate it on the 25th December? The early Christians certainly had many arguments as to when it should be celebrated! Also, the birth of Jesus probably didn’t happen in the year 1 but slightly earlier, somewhere between 2 BCE/BC and 7 BCE/BC, possibly in 4 BCE/BC (there isn’t a 0 – the years go from 1 BC/BCE to 1!).
Christmas Gifts: Sharing Love and Joy
The first ‘official’ recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor). But it was not an official Roman state festival at this time.
However, there are many different traditions and theories as to why Christmas is celebrated on December 25th.
It was the Roman Emperor Constantine who established December 25th as the date when Christians celebrate Christ’s birth, back in 336 AD.
Furthermore, first Christians placed greater emphasis on the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection. These were seen as the stumbling blocks of Christianity! As the apostle Paul notes: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith (1 Cor 15:14)
Throughout the majority of the 2nd century, the exact date of Jesus’ birth remained a mystery – unmentioned in early Christian writings and teachings. This silence is notable, especially considering the plethora of theological texts and discussions that characterized this era.
The Bible does not explicitly state the date of Jesus’ birth. Early Christians did not initially celebrate Jesus’ birth, focusing more on His death and resurrection. By the 4th century, church leaders decided to establish a date for the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
While December 25th may not be the exact date of Jesus’ birth, it was chosen for its symbolic significance and alignment with existing cultural practices. Today, it serves as a day for Christians worldwide to celebrate the birth of Christ and the message of hope, love, and salvation.