A Brief History
It is January 6th, Merry Christmas! Or wait, is it just Christmas Eve?
Digging Deeper
Christmas is an annual festival, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Although currently in the United States of America, Christmas is mostly celebrated on December 25th, it is not the case with various Christians elsewhere in the world.
While of course Roman Catholics and Protestant denominations are almost universal in naming December 25th as the big day, Armenian Christians celebrate Christmas day on January 6th, while most Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate it on January 7th.
Why the confusion and different days to celebrate the same event? Because there is nothing definitive in the Bible about the date of Jesus’s birth. Thus, for hundreds of years Christians all over followed whatever schedule their particular church leaders established.
Even Spring dates in April or May have been suggested! Perhaps some early Christians thought of the birth of Jesus as a sort of a rebirth of the earth, like the spring season? In any case, there is no universally agreed upon historical evidence in support of a proper date. Unfortunately, we do not (yet) actually know for certain when Jesus was born.
Some scholars theorize that a date close to the winter solstice was chosen to take the place of or compete with pagan holidays celebrated at that time, but that is also just a matter of conjecture. While various scholars read into the Bible or other sources and somehow divine justification for naming one date or another as the “real” Christmas day, the matter remains wide open to debate.
No matter which date you prefer, if you celebrate Christmas, we wish you a happy one!
Question for students (and subscribers): Does it matter if Christmas is celebrated on the actual day of Christ’s birth? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
Our main source for this entry on History and Headlines was the online article available here, but additional information on Christmas in general, particularly the holiday’s evolution and controversies, can be found in the following books, which we recommend by read in the below organized order:
Aveni, Anthony F. The Book of the Year: A Brief History of Our Holidays. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Nissenbaum, Stephen. The Battle for Christmas: A Social and Cultural History of Our Most Cherished Holiday. Vintage, 1997.
Gibson, John. The War on Christmas: How the Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday Is Worse Than You Thought. Sentinel Trade, 2006.
The featured image in this article, “Merry Christmas” appearing on the world’s first commercially-produced Christmas card, designed by John Callcott Horsley for Henry Cole in 1843, is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 70 years or less.
You can also watch a video version of this article on YouTube:
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="980 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=980">84 Comments
I wouldn’t put it against the Catholic church to place the celebration of the Jesus’s birth around the winter solstice in order to combat Pagan holidays. They after all made it sinful to eat meat during Lent, mostly to support fisherman when fishing markets where in trouble. However, this is not to say that they made Christmas in December to combat paganism but it is most certainly a possibility.
I had heard that Jesus’s birthday was most likely around June or July rather than December, though this may have been more of a rumor than a hypothesis based on facts. Anyway you look at it though, it is interesting to see that such an important holiday’s date is based around ideas that have nothing to do with the event being celebrated.
It’s fascinating that different cultures celebrate the same event on different days.
I’m curious if scholars are actually able to determine the real birth date of Christ if Christianity will change the date of Christmas. Regardless, very interesting read.
I always thought that today all cultures celebrated Christmas on December 25th throughout the world, but I guess Christmas is still Christmas no matter when its celebrated!
What is important, is not the date… but the meaning of Christmas! — DAVID WARDLE
I always thought that every culture celebrated on the same day. It’s unique that some cultures celebrate on different days then us
I have known that Christians seem to make up their own dates for holidays, and then make up a good excuse as to why. I am also a Christian and know that it is just easier to accept it then try and dispute with no evidence as to the actual date. So in short, making up a date seems the best way to solve the problem.
Always heard about this but never heard much information about it. Very interesting
my favorite time of year is christmas time so this was a very interesting article to read
I never knew that we don’t actually know the exact date of Jesus’ birth. I wonder why we celebrate it on December 25th.
I’ve heard this before, that no one really knows when Jesus was born. I am a Christian and I LOVE Christmas, not because of the presents but the meaning for the season. It wouldn’t matter what date they made Christmas, I would still Celebrate Jesus’ birth and people would still complain that there are not enough shopping days before Christmas
It is interesting to learn that Christmas is celebrated on different days and that the real date that Jesus was born is unknown. It would be interesting to learn what other truths have been stretched regarding Jesus.
Very interesting to see the different denominations celebrate Chirstmas on different days. Too bad there is no consensus.
Easter is another Christian holiday that is celebrated at the same time as a pagan holiday to try to make it easier for the pagans to convert to Christianity.
It is amazing that all Christian cultures celebrate Christmas on different days . It’s hard to believe that there is no known set day for Christmas.
It was interesting to see that Christmas used to be celebrated in the Spring months. I can imagine that they chose December 25 so it would coincide with New Years/ rebirth type of thing.
Interesting how different places that have the same religion interpret it in their own ways. Spring would make sense in the rebirth aspect.
It would be very strange to celebrate Christmas in April or May
I wonder if the birth of Jesus has to do with the revelation that Christmas could be on the 6th of January
I think that it’s pretty cool how when we look back on things and we don’t perceive them about how they used to be (or how they were “normal”) and how strange it seems compared to the traditions now. I wonder what early Christians would have thought about how consumer based Christmas is today as compared to how they viewed the holiday? I’d be curious to find out.
There is a huge difference between religion and faith and I totally dislike religion for this reason. People are trying to act like they know all that there is to know about something and it’s not even true.
I find it interesting that Christmas is celebrated on so many different days, and that the days that were chosen tend to occur in winter around the New Year.
I never realized that some Christian denominations celebrated Christmas on a day that was not December 25, until I met my friend who is Orthodox. She celebrates on January 6, which is very fascinating to me. There are several bible scholars who believe that the birth of Jesus happened in September or October but who knows for sure if that is true or not
As someone who celebrates Christmas on December 25th, it’s strange to think of celebrating Christmas on any other day. At the same time its interesting to see the differences in cultures.
I wonder what scholars think is the most probable date for Jesus’ birth..
It is pretty interesting that people of different cultures, although practicing the same religion, could vary on opinion of the date of Jesus Christ’s birth.
When I was first informed that Christmas was not always on December 25th I was very surprised. I still find it interesting to this day.
Its interesting that there isnt anything in the bible about the actual day. I do think that it was put in the winter time as a competing holiday as well.
To imagine Christmas happening in the spring just makes me sad because I love to have a white christmas! Because we are known to celebrate it on Decemeber 25th, it just seems like a fantasy and unruly because it is just what we know as a society
I have always known that Christmas and Easter are just holidays that are dated based on more of a religious calender than anything else, but more disturbing than the made up date is the materialistic way in which we indulge the day. I am as guilty as the next person, and every year I say I will not be that lady–then I am, again. Oh well, off I go to shop… Merry Christmas to all!!!!
interesting article! very well-written I heard that Jesus’s birthday was actually in January but then there were other sources that said otherwise
Interesting, I heard of this before but I didn’t know it was a real thing!
It’s cool to see the diversity & how diffrrnt cultures & relgions celebrate things on different days.
Imagine celebrating Christmas in the spring! It would be a much different holiday than it is today since we incorporated some elements of pagan winter solstice into our celebration of Christmas.
I never knew that people celebrated Christmas on different days. It would be so weird if it was changed to January!
I never would have guessed Christmas was a made up date! I would have never guessed it. It’s fascinating how it has changed dates throughout time.
It makes sense that they would pick a date at the end of the year. It only feeds into the idea that people get a new start for the new year.
I kind it rather hilarious that the day that is Christmas is made up! I always thought there was religious background but turns out the actual day was just another day.
I was familiar with the fact Christmas was not actually on December 25th. This however has not changed my opinion on the day and I will continue to celebrate it in December.
It’s weird how this is a commonly accepted date without much debate or whatnot. As a child you learn this is Jesus’ birthday (no if’s or but’s).
I’m actually taking a class called the “History of Christmas” and we were taught that the actual date (the 25th) is incorrect! No one actually knows but because it is the “Yule” season, the date eventually evolved!
Well, cant’ say this came as news, but also, Christmas might as well be in November as far as radio and advertising is concerned. If we can’t determine the actual date, choosing one isn’t a terrible idea. I would argue that Christmas isn’t so much about the day itself as the intention behind the celebration.
I actually knew about this before hand. I don’t think it takes away from the celebration at all though.
My family celebrates it kind of like the 12 days of Christmas and the 12 days are after. From the 25th to the 6th it is 12 days and the 6th is celebrated as the Epiphany, so we put our tree up a couple days before Christmas, (just because of excitement) and do not take it down until the 6th.
It’s interesting that no one actually knows when he was born for sure. Someone one day just kinda said “yeah December 25th sounds good” and everyone just nodded and accepted it as fact.
I can’t believe it isn’t well known when Jesus was born! I also find the theory that it was placed around the winter solstice to compete with pagan holidays very interesting. Great article.
As with many of our current holidays and celebrations linked to Christianity, it was for more assimilation purposes of newly converted cultures.
It’s weird that we don’t know when Jesus is born but it is also interesting to see the connection of when he was born to also a connection of pagan holidays!
its weird that so many different cultures celebrate the same things but they usually never fall on the same day
i think its very cool to learn that different cultures celebrate Christmas at different times of the year.
Interesting, many cultures seem to put his date of birth around the same time! I wonder if we will ever know the true date.
I don’t see Americans changing the date of Christmas, December 25th is probably here to stay. In fact, I did not even know that Orthodox denominations celebrated it on a different day.
This reminded me of a class I took where the teacher told us that Jesus was probably not born at 0 AD as most people believe. It is probably closer to 4 or 6 AD.
Learning about one tradition being celebrated in separate cultures is intriguing.
It is crazy to me that the date of the birth of Jesus was just made up!
Very interesting
It is always interesting to hear about how different people interpret religion into what works for them. While every one of these religions would say that they are correct, each one has a distinct view on the subject based on what is important to them. Fascinating!
I have heard this before and I do not feel it’s important. As recognize it during the year, the meaning will be shown.
This article was very interesting, we as Americans tend to become very use to how we do things we forget that there are other ways to life. It was nice to read about how different cultures do things with Christmas and the birth of baby Jesus. I am left with the question however what the true date really is ?
All I know is that I will always celebrate Christmas on December 25.
not everyone practices the same religion. And i believe that religion plays a large role in this area.
I don’t necessarily think that the actual date of the birth of Christ matters to the Christian religion. The important aspect is that Christ was born and came to Earth in flesh.
Not everyone is that same religion. People can celebrate the same holiday but just not on the same day. I do find it interesting how there are different days.
I feel like if we were to move the official date of Christmas for some reason, whether it be to match the date with other cultures, most people would still choose to celebrate it on the 25th
Since we are uncertain of the actual date of the birth of Jesus i think this date will stick for ever, it would be weird for it to change now.
My grandparents celebrate the orthodox christmas that is in January i believe, no historical evidence to what time of the year was actually christmas though.
Well, no one will ever know the real date Jesus was born, so they just came up with a date. Maybe it was by drawing straws
I think its pretty interesting to think about how everyone around the world can celebrate Christmas on a different date. No one has to follow the calendar that most people use, so its pretty open for personal beliefs.
Interesting the date differences. No matter if the date is ‘correct’ it is the idea of celebrating a holiday that makes it so important.
To me, it does not matter when the real birth of Jesus was. The only thing that matters is celebrating his birth and knowing as a Catholic, he was my Savior and came save all of us from sin.
The date differences are interesting, but I don’t really think it matters to the overall importance of the holiday.
Having studied topics such as this in History of Christmas course, its interesting how many days are actually thought to be the birth of Jesus.
The historical evidence was really helpful
There is no way to really define a very specific day as a holiday. This is why I believe that all of these dates are different within different areas of the world.
It’s interesting that people of different cultures celebrate the same holiday but on different days of the year and also in different ways
t i sorta interesting aboiut the same holidays but different days. In our tim today we stil do it wiht christmas and kwanza and such
I never knew that other forms of Christianity celebrate Christmas on the 6th, I would like to learn more about this, where these groups are located, etc.
There is a lot of idea of when the real Christmas is, some even say July!
Its crazy the same holiday can be celebrated somewhere else
It would seem weird to celebrate Christmas in April.
It would be so strange to celebrate Christmas in the spring without the cold and snow
i believe as long as a group of people or religion agree on a date to celebrate christmas even if it isn’t said so should be ok because its not about the date but about jesus’s birth more than anything.
Whatever the date of the holiday, it’s still celebrating the birth of Jesus, so it doesn’t really make a difference