Interesting Info - The Origin of Christmas

The date of 25 December probably originated with the so-called "birthday" of the ancient son-god, Mithra. He was a pagan deity whose religious influence became widespread in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries A.D. Mithra was supposedly related to the Semitic sun-god, Shamash, and his worship spread throughout Asia to Europe where he was known as Deus Sol Invictus Mithras.

Ancient Rome was well-known for absorbing the pagan religions and rituals of its widespread empire. As such, Rome converted this pagan legacy to a celebration of their own god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god during the winter solstice period. The winter holiday became known as Saturnalia and began the week prior to December 25th. This festival was characterized by gift-giving, feasting, singing and downright debauchery, as the priests of Saturn carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession throughout the Roman temples.

Variations of this pagan holiday flourished throughout the first few centuries after the birth of Jesus Christ, but it probably wasn't until 336 AD that the Roman Emperor Constantine officially converted this pagan tradition into the "Christian" holiday of Christmas.

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