No real date for the birth of Christ exists.

Festival of Nativity at Rome AD 127-139

Massacres on the Day of Nativity 161-180;300

Thought to be on the 25th day of the month - which month?

Clement of Alexandria named 5 different dates that were considered

25th of ninth month

8th of Jan.

25th of Dec

6th of Jan - Epiphany Festival - included celebration of the Birth for the EASTERN CHURCH

Several festivals were in late Dec and early Jan. in early Rome

17-21st Saturnalia Rom. holiday of rembrance of the golden age. Slaves were freed and masters waited on them for the duration.

22nd Sigillaria - Feast of Dolls - Kids got dolls and toys

25th Brumalia - Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun (when days began to lengthen

1st Jan. New years day

Easy to combine these into a Christian holiday
 

NAMES OF CHRISTMAS

Rome - Fest. of the Nativity

Greece -Genethlia (same as Rome's)

France - Noel

Italian - Nativita

Spain - Navidad

German - Weihnacht (holy or consecrated night)

"Yule" - transposed heathen name

-mas ??? possible Hebrew = tribute or offering
 

Evergreens

English background

also custom of Saturnalia (Rom) and peoples of northern winter festival

Tertullian mentioned it 200-220 - when they didn't decorate they were know out as Christians and persecuted.
 

Italy - little following

France - never popular

Spain - forbidden by church in the 6th century

England and Germany - almost universal
 
 

Ivy - badge of the wine god - Bacchus
 

Holly - with sharp prickles and red berries thought to image Savior's crown of thorns

good against witches and lightning ???
 

Rosemary - Shrub of the Blessed Virgin - offensive to evil spirits

18th Cent. choirboys would give everyone in the church an apple with a sprig of rosemary in it and expect a small bit of money 2,4,6pence?
 

Yew/Cypress - funeral assoc. as well as emblems of eternal life
 

Mistletoe - DRUIDS held it sacred - All heal thought it protected from all poisons and witches

"maid who is not kissed under the mistletoe at Christmas will not marry that year"

ENGLISH custom

held so sacred that enemies would lay down their arms when they met under a mistletoe in the forest!

Usually disallowed as decoration by the church because of Druid association
 

Gary Marcum - East 38th Street Free Will Baptist - Christmas Customs