Historical Statements About Christmas

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1. The development of the feast celebrating the birth of Jesus is directly connected to fading expectations of the imminent return of Christ

2. The Christian celebration of Christmas replaced the Roman festival of Dies Invicti Solis (the Day of the Invincible Sun) which was introduced by the Emperor Aurelian in the 3^rd century and was celebrated on December 25^th

3. December 25^th was also the birthday of Mithra, the Persian god of light; the day was devoted to the invincible sun

4. Festivities of the pagan holiday included:

   1. All work and business suspended

   2. The giving of gifts

   3. Many celebrations and parties

   4. Easing of certain moral restrictions

5. Many Christian writers (including Clement of Alexandria, Origen and Epiphanius) opposed the celebration of Christmas in the 2^nd and 3^rd centuries.  In like manner, the Puritans of the 16^th and 17^th centuries opposed the celebration of Christmas.

6. The celebration of holidays is a personal decision according to the scriptures.  No one should be forced to keep a holiday or refused a chance to celebrate—as long as the acts of celebration themselves are scriptural.  See Romans 14:4-10 and Colossians 2:16-17.