Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night… For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8, 11 NKJV).
Jesus is widely regarded by historians as a historical figure, though details of his life and the circumstances of his birth remain subjects of scholarly discussion. What is generally agreed upon, however, is that the Bible does not provide evidence that Jesus was born on December 25.
For example, the Gospel of Luke describes shepherds near Bethlehem “living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Many historians note that this practice was more common in the warmer months, making a midwinter birth less likely.
The Catholic Encyclopedia acknowledges that “Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church,” indicating that the celebration of Jesus’ birth on December 25 developed later in Christian tradition.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica:
“The reason why Christmas came to be celebrated on December 25 remains uncertain, but most probably the reason is that early Christians wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the ‘birthday of the unconquered sun’ (natalis solis invicti); this festival celebrated the winter solstice, when the days again begin to lengthen and the sun begins to climb higher in the sky. The traditional customs connected with Christmas have accordingly developed from several sources as a result of the coincidence of the celebration of the birth of Christ with the pagan agricultural and solar observances at midwinter.
So whose birthday was it? Tradition holds that it was Mithras’ birthday. Mithra was an ancient Persian deity associated with the sun, contracts, and cosmic order. Mithraism, or the Mithraic Mysteries, became a Roman mystery religion (1st–4th century CE) centered on Mithras and was especially popular among soldiers. Some scholars suggest that elements of Mithraic ritual may have influenced aspects of early Pauline theology, including practices related to the eucharist.
From Catholic Answers Magazine:
Mithras was born on December 25. He was considered a great teacher and had twelve disciples.
Author James Rollins (summarizing scholarly parallels between Mithraism and Christianity):
Mithraism predated Christianity yet bore uncanny similarities. Mithra’s birthday was celebrated on December 25.
Antiquitatem (historical commentary on Mithraism and Christianity):
Mithra, god of the sun, was born on December 25, day of the winter solstice… That invincible sun is the god Mithra, whose worship and devotion competed with Christianity.
Interestingly, while December 25 may not mark the actual birth of Jesus, it does coincide with the birthday of Isaac Newton, the English physicist, mathematician, and astronomer, who was born in 1642 in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, England.
So today, alongside Christmas traditions, one might also reflect on Newton’s contributions to science and the Enlightenment.
Jay Forrest is a Zen Deist Hermit offering rational spirituality rooted in calm insight and honest reflection. He writes about Deist philosophy, contemplative practice, and the wisdom that emerges from a quiet, reflective life beyond traditional religion.