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juliet84
Guest
A muslim friend of mine asked me, "Why do Christians celebrate Christmas, as the birth date of Jesus is unknown". Can anyone help me on how to answer this?
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J
jimmydiggs
Guest
Mostly in the west it's just a tradition.
For some of us though, to celebrate the birth of Christ is a lot more than just a tradition.
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AgeofKnowledge
Guest
The traditional date of Christ’s birth for the Western Church has been December 25, while the Eastern Church has observed a January 6 date. The account of shepherds attending their flocks during the night (Lk 2:8) does not make a midwinter date improbable.
With the census of Quirinius having occurred sometime during the period 6–4 B.C., and Herod’s death having occurred in the spring of 4 B.C., it seems likely that Jesus was born in December 5 B.C. or January 4 B.C.
Roman Christians later adopted December 25th as Christmas to supersede a hard drinking immoral pagan Roman festival scheduled on that day (e.g. the feast of the Son of Isis) which they did successfully.
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Matreshka
Guest
Hello miss Juliet , if to be honest i dont think tht someone knows the exact day of birth of Christ . i think its better not to focus on the calendar , but whats more important which is the event of Christ coming to this world and why did He came to this world . thats more important , i think
i just can't resist fresh candy canes (which were made in china 12 years ago).
(in the summer i haveta eat the broken ones i took off the tree in december. yuck)
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psychomom
Guest
Hi, Juliet.
Although it is true the date is unknown, we celebrate Christmas because it's so wonderful that God sent (and became) a Savior!!
I don't know if your friend can fully appreciate this, or why we would celebrate the birth of Jesus.
It's the beginning (so to speak) of the fulfillment of the best Promise ever. ♥
-ellie
S
squidget
Guest
December 25 was adopted because when christianity was made the "religion" of the roman empire it supplanted the day as the birth of Jesus with the high solstice date (the birth of the new son at the end of equinox) .
the actual date is theoretically able to be discovered many have accepted December 25 from their traditions.
the date can be found in the period known as the feast of tabernacles and some close researching of dates back then.
the more important date to remember is not Christ-mas but the date of the resurrection of Jesus as this date is the birth of our Savior,
the actual date is theoretically able to be discovered many have accepted December 25 from their traditions.
the date can be found in the period known as the feast of tabernacles and some close researching of dates back then.
the more important date to remember is not Christ-mas but the date of the resurrection of Jesus as this date is the birth of our Savior,
Look brother in Christ,from your post i concluded that u havent researched very well Julian and Gregorian calendars.Eastern Christians known as Orthodox celebrate Christmas at 25december as Roman Catholic do that on 25th december,but those 2 celebrations r different because Orthodox use Julian calendar and R Catholic Gregorian.That is why we have 13days of difference.
The Nativity according to the flesh of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, also called Christmas, is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on December 25.
In the fullness of time, our Lord Jesus Christ was born to the Holy Theotokos and Virgin Mary, thus entering into the world as a man and revealing Himself to mankind.
According to the Bible and to Holy Tradition, Jesus was born in the city of Bethlehem in a cave, surrounded by farm animals and shepherds. The baby Jesus was born into a manger from the Virgin Mary, assisted by her husband St. Joseph. St. Joseph and the Theotokos were forced to travel due to a Roman census; the odd location of the birth was the result of the refusal of a nearby inn to accommodate the expecting couple (Luke 2:1-20). Since it is known historically that dwellings were built directly over such caves housing livestock--in order to make use of the heat.
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Eccl12and13
Guest
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Interesting
Guest
CHRISTMASS, IS A HEATHEN HOLIDAY, IT WAS INVENTED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, A CULT, CHRSIT WAS NOT BORN IN DECEMBER, IF GOD WANTED US TO KNOW HIS BIRTH DATE, HE WOULD HAVE TOLD US IN THE BIBLE, BUT GOD KNOWS ALL THINGS AND HE KNEW WHAT WE WOULD DO WITH HIS BIRTHDAY, WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT, IS HE DIED FOR OUR SINS, AND CAME TO LIFE IN 3 DAYS, TO BE GLORIFIED, BE WISE >>. FOLLOW THE BIBLE IN WHAT IT SAYS, AND ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIL, 1 THESSALONIANS 5: 22
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AgeofKnowledge
Guest
Look friend, everything I stated was true. If you want to qualify and develop it further, that's fine. But you don't have to be a nimrod about it.
As of 2012, there is a difference of 13 days between the modern Gregorian calendar and the older Julian calendar. Those who continue to use the Julian calendar or its equivalents thus celebrate December 25 and January 6 on what for the majority of the world is now January 7 and January 19 (due to date creep associated with the difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars).
For this reason, Ethiopia, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, and the Republic of Moldova celebrate Christmas on what in the Gregorian calendar is January 7; all the Greek Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on December 25.
Now, the Gregorian calendar was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII on 24 February 1582 by Papal Bull. So before that the Julian calendar was used.
All Christian churches celebrated Christ's birth on January 6 until the fourth century. According to historical sources (including the Roman Catholic Church), the date was changed from January 6 to December 25 in order to override a pagan feast dedicated to the birth of the Sun (exactly as I stated) which was celebrated on December 25. Roman Christians were seeking to udermine and subdue this pagan practice and they were successful in that endeavor.
Happy?
As of 2012, there is a difference of 13 days between the modern Gregorian calendar and the older Julian calendar. Those who continue to use the Julian calendar or its equivalents thus celebrate December 25 and January 6 on what for the majority of the world is now January 7 and January 19 (due to date creep associated with the difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars).
For this reason, Ethiopia, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, and the Republic of Moldova celebrate Christmas on what in the Gregorian calendar is January 7; all the Greek Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on December 25.
Now, the Gregorian calendar was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII on 24 February 1582 by Papal Bull. So before that the Julian calendar was used.
All Christian churches celebrated Christ's birth on January 6 until the fourth century. According to historical sources (including the Roman Catholic Church), the date was changed from January 6 to December 25 in order to override a pagan feast dedicated to the birth of the Sun (exactly as I stated) which was celebrated on December 25. Roman Christians were seeking to udermine and subdue this pagan practice and they were successful in that endeavor.
Happy?
M
Matreshka
Guest
ok , i think i will add few things here , i think its a good thing tht muslim person is interested in Christianity and nothing goes vain , so good job miss Juliet and Orthodox celebrate Christmas the 7th of January !
M
MidniteWelder
Guest
Actually it is more likely he was born some months earlier yet there is no conflict with the traditional date of Jesus' birth, because Dec. 25 was an arbitrary choice.
Early Christians changed the date numerous times to avoid discovery by the Romans when persecution of Christianity was at its height.
When Christianity finally became the official religion of the Roman Empire, the festival of Christmas on Dec. 25 observing the birth of Jesus
replaced the pagan festival on that day which celebrated the "rebirth of the sun" as the days began to get longer following the winter solstice.
Hope that helps some Juliet
Early Christians changed the date numerous times to avoid discovery by the Romans when persecution of Christianity was at its height.
When Christianity finally became the official religion of the Roman Empire, the festival of Christmas on Dec. 25 observing the birth of Jesus
replaced the pagan festival on that day which celebrated the "rebirth of the sun" as the days began to get longer following the winter solstice.
Hope that helps some Juliet
does it matter what day we celebrate it on? it's more important what we are celebrating, we could celebrate it in the middle of summer for all I care, but it would still be for the same reason
I haven't read most of the other answers, and someone probably mentioned this, but simply say that you're celebrating the FACT that Jesus was born, since He came to rescue you from your sins. Say that the exact day isn't important, and if you try to celebrate Him every day, I'd mention that as well
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come on you guys.
Jesus was conceived Dec 25th(ish) and born Sept 29th(ish)
who cares what the 'heathen' do? who came first? the pagans or GOD?
Christmas is about Jesus for those who are not weak in their faith.
if you're weak in the faith, just be scrooge til it's over
P
psychomom
Guest
come on you guys.
Jesus was conceived Dec 25th(ish) and born Sept 29th(ish)
who cares what the 'heathen' do? who came first? the pagans or GOD?
Christmas is about Jesus for those who are not weak in their faith.
if you're weak in the faith, just be scrooge til it's over
LOL!
I love that book...we read it, with some others, aloud every year.
What happened in Eb's heart, well...
...i kinda heart that.
-el
Luke 1
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah,a of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived
, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Birth of Jesus Foretold
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothedb to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”c 29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”d
35And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be borne will be called holy—the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servantf of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would beg a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah,a of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived
, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”Birth of Jesus Foretold
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothedb to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”c 29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”d
35And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be borne will be called holy—the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servantf of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would beg a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
P
psychomom
Guest
Luke 2 (NASB)
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. http://bible.cc/luke/2-8.htm
8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
http://bible.cc/luke/2-15.htm
15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” http://bible.cc/luke/2-16.htm
16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. http://bible.cc/luke/2-17.htm
17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. http://bible.cc/luke/2-19.htm
19But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
21And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”,
24and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”
25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. http://bible.cc/luke/2-26.htm
26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, http://bible.cc/luke/2-28.htm
28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
That's why we celebrate Christmas.
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. http://bible.cc/luke/2-8.htm
8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
http://bible.cc/luke/2-15.htm
15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” http://bible.cc/luke/2-16.htm
16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. http://bible.cc/luke/2-17.htm
17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. http://bible.cc/luke/2-19.htm
19But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
21And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”
,24and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”
25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. http://bible.cc/luke/2-26.htm
26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, http://bible.cc/luke/2-28.htm
28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
That's why we celebrate Christmas.
AMEN!
have a Blessed Christmas, ellie.
to you and yours.
love zone
btw - an old glittery Christmas card was all i had as a kid....my family are unbelievers...i kept it in my secret place and wondered about that Jesus
who knew the gospel began for me with that card?
have a Blessed Christmas, ellie.
to you and yours.
love zone
btw - an old glittery Christmas card was all i had as a kid....my family are unbelievers...i kept it in my secret place and wondered about that Jesus
who knew the gospel began for me with that card?
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