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Although Usener's theory has become quite widespread, Hijmans counters that fourth century homilies concerning the birth of Jesus routinely refer to the solstices and equinoxes, but rarely to pagan feasts.

Although Usener's theory has become quite widespread, Hijmans counters that fourth century homilies concerning the birth of Jesus routinely refer to the solstices and equinoxes, but rarely to pagan feasts.

Hijmans examined a homily that Usener quoted to support his pagan origin theory and found that it fits better with a solstice origin.<ref>This homily was written in the early fourth century and is entitled ''De solstitia et aequinoctia conceptionis et

Hijmans examined a homily that Usener quoted to support his pagan origin theory and found that it fits better with a solstice origin.<ref>This homily was written in the early fourth century and is entitled ''De solstitia et aequinoctia conceptionis et nativitatis domini nostri iesu christi et iohannis baptistae.''</ref> The homily not only connects the birth of Jesus to the winter solstice, it also placed the birthday of John the Baptist on the summer solstice. Usener cites this essay for an aside that mentioned that December 25 is the birthday of Sol Invictus. But this is done only to argue that the pagan festival is of no significance.<ref>Hijmans, p. 594.</ref>

nativitatis domini nostri iesu christi et iohannis baptistae.''</ref> The homily not only connects the birth of Jesus to the winter solstice, it also placed the birthday of John the Baptist on the summer solstice. Usener cites this essay for an aside that mentioned that December 25 is the birthday of Sol Invictus. But this is done only to argue that the pagan festival is of no significance.<ref>Hijmans, p. 594.</ref>

The end of the year was a season of varied celebration in pagan Rome. Saturnalia began on December 17 and lasted for three to five days. It was followed by ''Dies Natalis Solis Invicti'' on December 25 and Kalends on January 1 to January 4. Saturnalia was exclusive to Italy while Sol was a sun god associated with emperors [[Aurelian]] and [[Constantine]].

The end of the year was a season of varied celebration in pagan Rome. Saturnalia began on December 17 and lasted for three to five days. It was followed by ''Dies Natalis Solis Invicti'' on December 25 and Kalends on January 1 to January 4. Saturnalia was exclusive to Italy while Sol was a sun god associated with emperors [[Aurelian]] and [[Constantine]].