Christmas Day Misconception: Why Jesus Wasn’t Born on December 25

There is no direct proof that December 25 is Yeshua’s birthday. Early Christian writers around 1st, 2nd and 3rd century CE never celebrated Yeshua’s birthday. They are more focus on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, they do celebrate Easter. But not the death or birthday of Yeshua. The celebration of Jesus birthday just started around the 4th century CE when Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire by signing the Edict of Milan. The decree granted the early Christians the freedom for public worship and to celebrate religious feasts without fear of persecution.

The Commentary on Daniel of Hippolytus of Rome, written around the 3rd century CE, where it was said that December 25 is Jesus birthday is doubted by scholars because of some reasons like for example, it is discovered in 19th century CE alone and it’s not written in its original manuscript, which is supposed to be papyrus, a writing material in the 1st century CE to 5th century CE. The discovered manuscripts on the 19th century CE, that was credited to Giacomo Martino, are said to be written in parchment, which is a writing material used in the Middle Ages – 5th century CE to 15th century CE. And so, scholars believe that it was already edited by Middle Ages Christians.

The first ever record of Jesus birthday was written in Chronography of 354. But it is not written in the Philocalian calendar. What is written in the Philocalian calendar, on the month of December, day 25, in Part 6, is the celebration of Sol Invictus or the “Unconquered sun.” (look at December 25 below)

The Chronography of 354 AD. Part 6: the calendar of Philocalus. 

Yeshua’s birthday was written somewhere in Part 8 of Chronology of 354 where the minor feasts and celebration are listed. Which means to say that Sol Invictus was first celebrated on December 25 before December 25 was celebrated as Jesus birthday by the 4th century CE Christians.

The Chronography of 354 AD. Part 8: Consular feasts from the fall of the kings to AD 354.

References:

1. https://www.ccel.org/ccel/pearse/morefathers/files/chronography_of_354_00_eintro.htm