Actually, some aspects of the Christmas celebration have indeed been influenced by pagan traditions. But it is important to remember that Christmas today is not automatically “pagan” for Christians. In fact, the Bible does not give the exact date of Jesus’ birth. That is why in the early church, they did not celebrate Christmas yet. Their focus was more on the resurrection and weekly worship every Sunday.
About 300 years after the ministry of Jesus, early Christians decided to set aside one day to remember the birth of the Savior. They chose December 25 because it was the time of different pagan festivals in Rome, like Saturnalia, a feast for Saturn full of food, joy, and gift-giving, and Sol Invictus, the celebration of the “Unconquered Sun.” The church leaders’ strategy was not to make the faith pagan, but to replace and give new meaning to that date. Instead of focusing on pagan festivities, they turned it into an opportunity to focus people on Jesus.
This was also practical as an evangelistic move. It was easier to convert people to Christianity if there was a meaningful celebration connected to faith. So even if the date had a pagan background, Christians gave it new meaning—not as a festival of the sun or idols, but as a remembrance of the birth of the Messiah.
The logic is simple: the date was “recycled,” but the meaning was “redeemed.” What matters for Christians today is not where the date came from, but what meaning it carries in faith. Christmas is now about remembering the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promise, and the hope He brings to the world. Even if there is historical overlap with pagan festivals, the essence of Christmas remains Christ-centered.
Why do some say Christmas is pagan?
Some say Christmas is pagan because December 25 was the same date as Roman pagan festivals like Saturnalia and Sol Invictus. But that does not mean the spirit of Christmas itself is pagan. Christians gave it new meaning as the commemoration of Jesus’ birth.
If we look deeper, the reason people call it “pagan” is because of the historical overlap. Saturnalia was a week-long celebration with food, gift-giving, and joy, almost like a prototype of some Christmas customs today. Sol Invictus was celebrated during the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, symbolizing the return of light. So when people hear that December 25 was also the date of pagan festivals, they quickly conclude: “Then Christmas is pagan!”
But it is not that simple. Historians explain that early Christians in the 4th century purposely chose December 25 to replace the pagan meaning and give it new significance. Instead of honoring idols, they made it the day to remember the birth of the Savior. Their reasons were twofold: first, to focus people on Jesus instead of pagan festivities; second, as a missionary strategy to convert Romans who were used to celebrations at that time of year.
So even if the date had a pagan background, the essence of Christmas is not pagan. The early church “recycled” the date but “redeemed” the meaning. What matters now is not the origin of the date but its meaning in faith: remembering the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promise, and the hope He brings.
In short, Christmas is not a pagan festival that continued, but a Christian reinterpretation of a date once used for pagan worship. The day of the “sun god” became the day of the “Son of God.”
What did the early Christians really do?
Looking closely, the early Christians did not copy pagan worship. They made a strategic replacement with a clear purpose. They did not worship the “sun god” of Sol Invictus. Instead, they proclaimed Jesus as the true Light of the world (John 8:12). They did not honor Saturn in Saturnalia. Instead, they remembered the birth of the Savior, the fulfillment of God’s promise in Scripture.
Same date, but totally different meaning. It is like buying an old house with a dark history. When you clean, repair, and give it a new purpose, you do not inherit its past meaning. What matters is how you use it now.
That is what the early church leaders did, redeeming the calendar. Instead of leaving people in pagan practices, they gave a more meaningful alternative focused on Jesus. December 25 was not simply a “pagan date” that continued, but a Christian reinterpretation, shifting focus from idols to the true God who became man. The day of the “sun god” became the day of the “Son of God.”
Does the Bible forbid celebrating Jesus’ birthday?
If we ask, does the Bible forbid celebrating Jesus’ birthday? The answer is no. No verse commands or forbids it. The emphasis of Scripture is not on the date but on the identity and mission of Jesus—who He is and why He came. The Gospels focus on salvation, the incarnation of the Son of God, and His purpose: “to save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
So Christmas, for Christians, is not a pagan ritual but a commemoration, a remembrance of the most important event in salvation history. It is not about worshiping the sun, idols, or pagan practices. It is about remembering the birth of the Savior. Like a memorial service or anniversary, it is not a command but a meaningful way to express faith and gratitude.
In short, the essence of Christmas is not about whether the Bible commands it or not, but about the meaning it carries in the hearts of believers. It is a Christ-centered remembrance, a time to reflect on God’s love shown in the incarnation, and to celebrate the hope and joy Jesus brings to the world.
So, is Christmas pagan today?
If we ask directly, is Christmas pagan today? The answer is clear: no. Indeed, December 25 overlaps historically with Roman pagan festivals. But the meaning given by Christians is fully focused on Christ. The essence of Christmas is not about pagan gods, but about the hope brought by the birth of the Messiah, forgiveness of sins through His life and sacrifice, God’s love shown in the incarnation, and the Savior’s coming as light to the world.
The origin of the date is not as important as the meaning it carries now. Think of musical instruments: many were once used in pagan worship. But when Christians used them in church, they were no longer pagan; they became instruments of praise to the true God. The same happened with December 25. The date was “recycled,” but the meaning was “redeemed.”
So Christmas is not a pagan continuation but a Christian reinterpretation. The day of the “sun god” became the day of the “Son of God.” The focus of believers today is not on the historical background but on the spiritual significance: remembering the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promise, and the hope of salvation He brings to all who believe.
How to answer those who doubt?
If someone doubts and says Christmas is pagan because December 25 was the date of Roman festivals, you can answer clearly:
“Yes, it is true that December 25 was the same date as pagan festivals like Saturnalia and Sol Invictus. But that does not mean Christmas is pagan. What the early Christians did was not imitation but strategic replacement. They used the date to replace pagan celebrations and give new meaning to the birth of Jesus, the true Light of the world. A thing does not remain pagan when its purpose is changed and dedicated to God. Just like musical instruments once used in pagan worship, now used in church for praise—they are no longer pagan, but redeemed.”
This shows the wider principle of redemption. The early church knew how to use cultural context to lift up the Gospel message. Instead of leaving people in pagan practices, they gave a more meaningful alternative focused on Christ. That is why December 25 became the day of the Son of God, not the “sun god.”
Christmas today is not about pagan roots of the date, but about the Christian meaning it carries: remembering God’s love, the hope of salvation, and the forgiveness brought by the birth of the Messiah. The origin of the date is not as weighty as the meaning it now holds in faith.
Former Adventists Philippines
“Freed by the Gospel. Firm in the Word.”
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