This practice is clearly condemned here. In fact, some in the early church opposed the celebration of Christ’s incarnation on the grounds that recognition of the birth of a deity was a pagan practice.The Roman Empire was rampant with polytheism.
If these skeptics are to be believed, not only did Constantine choose December 25 to unite the various religions occupying his empire, but he also created the Bible and invented the Trinity. Question: "Is Easter a pagan holiday?" I disagree with that article you link to though, I think it's the other way around. Occurring every year on March 20, 21, or 22, the spring equinox is the end of winter and beginning of spring. Christmas and Easter were introduced to provide a wholesome, non-pagan alternative celebration and rejects the pagan holiday. But what does this imply?But what of the name?
Both Christmas and Easter take pagan festivals and traditions and apply them to the worship of Yahweh. Or should Christians abandon worship on a Sunday since we do not worship the “Sun.”Good responses to popular culture’s claims of conspiracy can be found in:Furthermore, there are explicit calls to remember and rejoice in the work of the Savior. His chief concern was not theological precision but rather imperial harmony.Choosing the date of Easter was much easier given precise biblical data.
When Trinitarian controversy threatened his empire, Constantine did not personally decide the matter; he called an ecumenical council and charged the bishops to preside over Nicaea. The Christianization of Pagan holidays began about the fourth century A.D. when the Roman Emperor Constantine, became (or feigned becoming) a Christian.
The origins and development of Easter are thoroughly documented in ancient sources. How much truth is there in this assertion?So how did Christ's birth come to be celebrated on 25 December? If pagan gods were celebrated, how much more the true God?I wonder what percentage of the Internet is actually good and helpful and true.For example, the word “gospel” was a common term with rich Roman usage to describe conquest by an earthly king. If these skeptics are to be believed, not only did Constantine choose December 25 to unite the various religions occupying his empire, but he also created the Bible and invented the Trinity. Christ rose from the dead.We cannot simply denounce all that is derived in paganism. Plus, even if he did, it would not further the claim that Christianity is mere myth.Although many today reason that Christ was born in the spring, it is important to recognize the possibility that the Church believed, whether mistakenly or not, that December 25 was the proper date for the incarnation.It appears likely that Christian celebration eventually borrowed certain traditions from pagan holidays. They use this claim in a philosophical sleight of hand to conclude that Christianity is rooted in paganism and thus nothing more than myth. Does the fact that the English word “Easter” might relate to a pagan god imply that Christians cannot celebrate it? If the ascension and conquest of Caesar is “good news,” how much more that of Jesus the true and better king?
Anyone who claims to know why Christmas was originally celebrated on this date is speculating at best. As for why, we shall return to that in a bit. Christ died for our sins. Anyone who claims to know why Christmas was originally celebrated on this date is speculating. By paying attention to our time, moments and milestones this season, we can build on family discipleship habits that will last throughout the year.What could possibly be better truths to celebrate?While it is possible that Constantine took initiative in setting the date of the holiday, such a theory is merely speculative.