The theme reoccurs year after year, emphasising a cycle of return. Despite the chilling circumstances, somehow every tear is wiped, every smile reappears. It seems like a universal concert, conducting a magic wand for the world to sing in union: “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
A warm glow of serenity prevails for a brief moment in time. The ringing sound of silver bells pervades the heavens, bringing joy and comfort to the hearts within. A universal peace descends on all mankind, notwithstanding war and bloodshed.
Over two billion Christians from 160 countries prepare for the biggest birthday party of all humanity: the birth of Jesus Christ. The exact date is unknown, since they are many. The majority of Christians believe it falls on 25 December, but the joyous spirit extends to the four corners of the globe, making it everyone’s holiday. You may even have several.
The idea to celebrate 25 December was first suggested early in 336 AD in an early Roman calendar, indicating 25 December as the day of observance. In 325 AD, pagan Romans, still in the majority, celebrated Solis Invicti, “Birthplace of the Invincible Sun God”, Mithras. The cult originated in Persia and rooted itself in the Roman world in the first century BC. By 274 AD Mithraism was so popular with the masses that Emperor Aurelian proclaimed it the official state religion. In the early 300s, the cult seriously jeopardized Christianity and for a time it was unclear which faith would prevail.
The tradition was established as far back as 753 BC, when King Romulus founded the city of Rome.
Church fathers debated their options. Romans loved to party, several feasts observed Natalis Solis Invicti in December, so did the celebration of Saturnalia, in honour of Saturn, god of agriculture. The Church was in a bind and time was of the essence.
To offer converts an occasion to party, why not recognise the birth of Jesus Christ?
The first ecumenical church council convened by Emperor Constantine I in Nicaea (modern day Iznik, Turkey) to address major issues on Christianity, primarily the heresy of Aurelian, which questions the divinity of Jesus.
And so it came to pass that the birth of Jesus was established under Emperor Constantine, developed the date through calculation, in order to coincide with pagan holidays and revels, eclipsing their galas and carnivals.
Special foods, decorations, merrymaking, and gift-giving to overwhelm Saturnalia and Mithras, the god of light.
Homes were decked with greenery, and voices were lifted in joyous songs.
For two centuries after Christ’s birth, no one knew, no one cared when was the date of Jesus Christ. Birthdays were unimportant, death days, counted.
The Church had even considered it sinful to contemplate observing Christ’s birthday. Several liberal theologians conducted their own research, trying to pinpoint the exact date of Christ’s birthday. They came up with several options: 1 January, 6 January, 25 March, and 20 May. The Church fathers, feeling the pinch, were compelled to settle for 25 December.
Scientists now acknowledge the power of group celebrations, the unification of ranks, the solidification of collective identity.
Today’s Christmas traditions mimic the pagan roots, combined with other traditions that have been adopted through the years.
While 25 December dominates the Roman recognition of Christ’s birthday, other churches have their own beliefs as to the exact date.
Why struggle against pagan practices in search of a birthday, when a Christian date had been recognised for tens of years before? The date was 6 January, the oldest Christmas in the world was celebrated by the Armenians.
The history of Armenia can be traced back as early as 3500 BC. Scientists discovered remains that prove Armenians existed during the Stone Age, in the second century. Armenia was ruled by Pompey in 66-65 BC, forcing the Armenian King Tigranes the Great to submit to Roman authority. The reign ended when Armenian Arsacid Dynasty was established in 301 AD.
The Armenian Apostolic Church introduced Christianity as the main religion of the state, becoming the first country to do that, in 301 AD. Rome adopted Christianity in 380 AD. Thus, the kingdom of Armenia became the first nation to make Christianity its official faith, establishing the Armenian Apostolic Church as the national church.
The Church in Rome began celebrating Christmas on 25 December in the fourth century, during the reign of Constantine I, (306-337 AD). Therefore, Christmas was celebrated by the Armenians on 6 January.
Irish Christians celebrated “Old Christmas” on 6 January, before the change was made to 25 December. The date was not widely accepted in the Eastern Empire, where 6 January had been favoured for half a century.
There is a strong case for celebrating Christmas universally on 6 January, but many reasons make little sense.
There is our famous 7 January — it is not alone in Egypt. Millions of Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia, particularly in Russia, Serbia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other Eastern European nations celebrate on 7 January. In this case, it is a question of calendar miscalculations. They follow the older Julian calendar which places the Nativity on this date, 13 days after the Gregorian 25 December.
Such generous offerings of a variety of birthdays is an abundance of the spirit of Christmas of love, kindness, and forgiveness.
Take one date or take them all if this universal feeling could stay everyday.
“Blessed is the season which engages the world in a conspiracy of love.”
Washington Irving (1783-1859)
* A version of this article appears in print in the 11 December, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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