Many Christians quietly wonder whether celebrating Christmas on December 25 is truly biblical. Others have heard the claim that the Church copied pagan festivals or invented the date centuries later.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 because early Christians identified March 25 as the date of the Annunciation, and nine months later naturally leads to December 25.
When we carefully examine Sacred Scripture, Jewish tradition, and early Christian history, a very different picture emerges.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 because the Gospel of Luke provides a clear biblical timeline, one that was recognized by Christians long before Constantine and before any pagan feast was associated with that date.
December 25 is not a random or pagan choice. It has deeply Christian roots, firmly grounded in the Gospel of Luke, documented centuries before Constantine, and defended even in times of persecution.
As Christmas approaches, many believers prepare for this mystery through prayer, especially by praying the Christmas Novena (December 16–24).
This article presents the full explanation, written clearly for modern readers, without omitting any of the historical or biblical evidence.
Short Answer: Why December 25?
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 because early Christians believed Jesus was conceived on March 25, the date of the Annunciation. Nine months later naturally leads to December 25 as the date of His birth. This calculation comes directly from the Gospel of Luke and was recognized centuries before any pagan festival was associated with the date.
The Biblical Chronology That Leads to December 25
Everything begins with a detail that may seem small, but is actually essential.
The Angel Gabriel’s Announcement to Zechariah
The Gospel of Luke tells us:
“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah.” (Luke 1:5)
While Zechariah was serving his priestly duty in the Temple, the angel Gabriel announced that he and Elizabeth would have a son.
According to 1 Chronicles 24:1–19, there were 24 priestly divisions in Israel that served in rotation. The eighth division, that of Abijah, served approximately in late September to early October.
After completing his service and returning home, Elizabeth conceived (Luke 1:23–24).
👉 Conclusion: John the Baptist was conceived toward the end of September.
“In the Sixth Month…” — The Annunciation to Mary
Luke continues:
“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth…” (Luke 1:26)
If Elizabeth conceived in late September, six months later places us in March.
👉 This means that the Annunciation — the conception of Jesus — occurred in March.
From the earliest centuries, Christians identified this date as March 25.
March 25 + Nine Months = December 25
This calculation was not invented in the Middle Ages. It was already circulating in the 2nd century.
The reasoning of the early Church was simple and biblical:
- Jesus was conceived on March 25
- Nine months later, He was born on December 25
This date was not borrowed from paganism. It is the natural result of Gospel chronology.
The Biblical Symbolism Between John the Baptist and Jesus
John the Baptist was born six months before Jesus, on June 24, near the summer solstice, when daylight begins to decrease.
Jesus was born on December 25, near the winter solstice, when daylight begins to increase.
Saint Augustine explained this powerful symbolism using John’s own words:
“He must increase; I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
Even creation itself proclaims the Gospel.
Ancient Theology: The “Integrity of Time”
Ancient Jews and early Christians believed that God’s great servants often died on the same calendar day on which they were conceived.
Early Christians commemorated the death of Christ on March 25. Therefore, they concluded that the Incarnation also occurred on March 25.
Once again, the timeline leads naturally to:
March 25 → December 25.
Christian Witnesses Before Any Pagan December Festival
A decisive historical fact:
📜 Hippolytus of Rome (around 204 AD) already records December 25 as the date of Christ’s birth.
This testimony appears:
- 60–70 years before Constantine
- Before Sol Invictus existed as an official imperial feast
👉 This shows that the Church did not copy paganism. Paganism later attempted to compete with Christianity.
The Historical Error of “Copying Sol Invictus”
Many repeat the claim that Christians copied the feast of Sol Invictus on December 25.
This claim does not stand up to historical scrutiny.
Sol Invictus Was Established Later
The feast of Sol Invictus was officially instituted in 274 AD by Emperor Aurelian.
By that time:
- Christians were already celebrating December 25
- The date was already linked to the Annunciation and the Incarnation
Christians could not have copied a feast that did not yet exist.
What About Constantine?
Another common myth is that Constantine invented Christmas.
But the facts are clear:
- Constantine died in 337 AD
- Christian writings attest to December 25 as early as 204 AD
👉 Constantine had no role in choosing the date of Christmas.
Emperor Julian the Apostate and His Opposition to Christianity
This historical detail is rarely mentioned, yet it is crucial.
Who Was Julian the Apostate?
Julian the Apostate (361–363 AD) was a Roman emperor who:
- Renounced the Christian faith in which he was raised
- Attempted to restore paganism
- Actively opposed and humiliated Christians
History remembers him as the Apostate because of his public rejection of Christianity.
Julian Tried to Reclaim December 25 From Christians
By Julian’s time, Christians were already celebrating December 25.
Because of his hatred for the Church, Julian attempted to promote pagan solar celebrations on the same date in order to compete with Christian Christmas.
👉 In other words, the pagan tried to copy the Christians, not the other way around.
His goal was to:
- Obscure the Christian meaning of the date
- Replace the celebration of Christ’s birth with idolatrous rites
- Weaken the influence of the Church
He failed.
In Simple Terms
- The Bible provides a clear timeline
- John the Baptist was conceived in late September
- Six months later, Jesus was conceived in March
- Nine months later brings us to December 25
- Christians believed this centuries before pagan feasts
The Definitive Historical Evidence
✔ Christians celebrated December 25 in the 2nd–3rd centuries
✔ Sol Invictus is later
✔ Constantine did not invent Christmas
✔ Julian the Apostate opposed Christmas because it was already Christian
✔ Biblical chronology and Jewish tradition fully explain the date
Therefore:
December 25 does not have pagan roots.
It is a deeply Christian, biblical, and traditional date.
Final Reflection
If you are seeking a moment of quiet prayer as Christmas approaches, you may find comfort in this Short Christmas Prayer.
Lord Jesus, Light of the world,
You entered history in humility and love.
As we celebrate Your birth, help us to walk in Your light
and to defend the truth with charity and peace. Amen.
Conclusion to Share
Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25 because:
- It follows naturally from the date of the Annunciation (March 25)
- It aligns with the Gospel chronology (Zechariah → Elizabeth → six months → Mary)
- It is supported by Jewish and early Christian theology of the “integrity of time”
- It is documented long before Constantine
- It predates Sol Invictus
- It was challenged by Julian the Apostate precisely because it was already Christian
- It proclaims that Christ is the Light growing in a world once darkened by sin
This is why Christmas has been celebrated on December 25 since the earliest centuries of Christianity.
Christmas is not a copy of any pagan celebration.
It is the proclamation of the birth of the Son of God in the flesh — the Light of the world and the hope of humanity.
