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« Security Theatre: A Minor Tragedy in One Act | Main | Quick Hits » December 19, 2007That Pesky Christmas DateAround this time thousands of years ago, Romans honored Saturn, the ancient god of agriculture, in a festival called Saturnalia. The festival began on December 17, lasted seven days, and eventually grew to include winter solstice, which fell on December 25. When and how this pagan holiday morphed into a Christian one remains a matter of debate. Some believe that in the fourth century St. John Chrysostom urged Christians to celebrate Christ's birth on December 25 because some communities had been doing it for several years. Others believe it was Emperor Constantine who's responsible for the day as part of an effort to welcome pagans already celebrating winter solstice. It is no secret that a number of Christian traditions are rooted in calendar comprises, but Prof. William Tighe (an undergraduate professor of David's) argues, in David's words, that selecting December 25th "was based on an honest but inaccurate attempt by early Christians to determine the date of Jesus' birth using the Jewish 'integral age' tradition, which stated that prophets die on the anniversary of their conception." Since the crucifixion was estimated to be March 25th (April 6th in the East), nine months later would be December 25th. Regardless of the calendar compromises that begat December 25th as our Christmas, I don't think I'll let it stop me from celebrating what the day symbolizes. Posted by Joshua Claybourn at December 19, 2007 10:05 AM CommentsPosted by: wahoofive at December 19, 2007 11:49 AM | permalink It isn't my theory, so I can't answer that question. The theory, as I clearly state, is that of Prof. William Tighe. However, I do know that since 325 Easter has been pegged to a Sunday (making it a "movable feast"). Perhaps this pokes a hole in Tighe's theory, but I haven't given it enough thought to even determine how much Tighe's theory is reasonable. Posted by: Joshua Claybourn at December 19, 2007 12:10 PM | permalink I have to agree with you. The reason I celebrate is because it symbolizes Christ's birth and hope that the human race has because of it. Posted by: Pastor Nick at December 19, 2007 01:06 PM | permalink Post a comment |
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