by Shaurya Thapa

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Celebrated as Christ's "B-day", Christmas is embedded in the
core fabric of Christianity.

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Interestingly, Christmas's actual origins date back to pagan and Roman traditions.

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Ancient Romans marked December 25 as the birthday of the sun god Sol Invictus, celebrating with drinking and merrymaking.

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The pagans celebrated the darkest day (the Winter Solstice) on Dec 22 with candles and bonfires, a tradition that the Romans picked up.

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The pagans celebrated the darkest day (the Winter Solstice) on Dec 22 with candles and bonfires, a tradition that the Romans picked up.

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As the Church didn't have a specific date to observe Christ's birth, the Catholics eventually took Dec 25 from the Romans and pagans.

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Some Christians, mainly Protestants, see this is as a "paganisation" of Christmas.

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Historian Alexander Murray suggests that such pre-Christian traditions might have been adapted after some pagans converted to Christianity.

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The last week of December continues to include other occasions such as the Jewish 8-day festival, Hannukah.

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Then, there's Kwanzaa, a week-long Christmas alternative for African-Americans, starting from 1966.

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[{ "selector": ".obzfw-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }] Explore More

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by Shaurya Thapa

IS CHRISTMAS TRULY A "CHRISTIAN" FESTIVAL?

Celebrated as Christ's "B-day", Christmas is embedded in the core fabric of Christianity.

Interestingly, Christmas's actual origins date back to pagan and Roman traditions.

Ancient Romans marked December 25 as the birthday of the sun god Sol Invictus, celebrating with drinking and merrymaking.

The pagans celebrated the darkest day (the Winter Solstice) on Dec 22 with candles and bonfires, a tradition that the Romans picked up.

The pagans celebrated the darkest day (the Winter Solstice) on Dec 22 with candles and bonfires, a tradition that the Romans picked up.

As the Church didn't have a specific date to observe Christ's birth, the Catholics eventually took Dec 25 from the Romans and pagans.

Some Christians, mainly Protestants, see this is as a "paganisation" of Christmas.

Historian Alexander Murray suggests that such pre-Christian traditions might have been adapted after some pagans converted to Christianity.

The last week of December continues to include other occasions such as the Jewish 8-day festival, Hannukah.

Then, there's Kwanzaa, a week-long Christmas alternative for African-Americans, starting from 1966.

Celebrated as Christ's "B-day", Christmas is embedded in the
core fabric of Christianity.