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[[Image:Christmas market in Nuremberg.jpg|right|thumb|The Christmas market in Nuremberg.]]

[[Image:Christmas market in Nuremberg.jpg|right|thumb|The Christmas market in Nuremberg.]]

'''Christmas''' is a holiday on December 25 which celebrates the birth of [[Jesus]], since at least [[AD]] 336.<ref name="Hillerbrand 1998 p909">{{cite web | last=Hillerbrand | first=Hans J. | title=Origin, Definition, Traditions, History, & Facts | website=Encyclopedia Britannica | date=1998-07-20 | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas | access-date=2023-12-24}}</ref> The word "Christmas" comes from "[[Christ]]'s [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]]." A few churches, including the Russian and Ukrainian churches, still celebrate according to the [[Julian calendar]]. December 25 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 7 on the [[Gregorian calendar]].

'''Christmas''' is a holiday on December 25 which celebrates the birth of [[Jesus]], since at least [[AD]] 336.<ref name="Hillerbrand 1998 p909">{{cite web | last=Hillerbrand | first=Hans J. | title=Origin, Definition, Traditions, History, & Facts | website=Encyclopedia Britannica | date=1998-07-20 | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas | access-date=2023-12-24}}</ref> The word "Christmas" comes from "[[Christ]]'s [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]]." A few churches, including the [[Russia]]n church, still celebrate according to the [[Julian calendar]]. December 25 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 7 on the [[Gregorian calendar]].

The [[Bible]] does not give a date for the birth of Jesus. The holiday is exactly nine months following [[Annunciation]] on March 25. On the Roman calendar, March 25 was marked as the spring equinox while December 25 was considered the date of the winter solstice. Christmas is often connected to pagan festivals such as Saturnalia or Yule, especially by those who oppose Christian traditions. However, the symbolism of a solstice date appealed to the Church Fathers for reasons unrelated to any pagan festival.  

The [[Bible]] does not give a date for the birth of Jesus. The holiday is exactly nine months following [[Annunciation]] on March 25. On the Roman calendar, March 25 was marked as the spring equinox while December 25 was considered the date of the winter solstice. Christmas is often connected to pagan festivals such as Saturnalia or Yule, especially by those who oppose Christian traditions. However, the symbolism of a solstice date appealed to the Church Fathers for reasons unrelated to any pagan festival.  

====Isaac Newton====

====Isaac Newton====

Although Englishman [[Isaac Newton]] is best-known for his scientific work, he also wrote extensively on religious subjects. Like Augustine, Newton connected the date of Christmas to the solstice: {{cquote|The times of the Birth and Passion of Christ, with such like niceties, being not material to religion, were little regarded by the Christians of the first age. They who began first to celebrate them, placed them in the cardinal periods of the year; as the annunciation of the Virgin Mary, on the 25th of March, which when Julius Cæsar corrected the Calendar was the vernal Equinox; the feast of John Baptist on the 24th of June, which was the summer Solstice; the feast of St. Michael on Sept. 29, which was the autumnal Equinox; and the birth of Christ on the winter Solstice, Decemb. 25.<ref>Newton, Isaac, ''[https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16878/16878-h/16878-h.htm Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John]'', "Chap. XI. Of the Times of the Birth and Passion of Christ," 1733.</ref>}}

Although Englishman [[Isaac Newton]] (l. 1642–1726/27) is best-known for his scientific work, he also wrote extensively on religious subjects. Like Augustine, Newton connected the date of Christmas to the solstice: {{cquote|The times of the Birth and Passion of Christ, with such like niceties, being not material to religion, were little regarded by the Christians of the first age. They who began first to celebrate them, placed them in the cardinal periods of the year; as the annunciation of the Virgin Mary, on the 25th of March, which when Julius Cæsar corrected the Calendar was the vernal Equinox; the feast of John Baptist on the 24th of June, which was the summer Solstice; the feast of St. Michael on Sept. 29, which was the autumnal Equinox; and the birth of Christ on the winter Solstice, Decemb. 25.<ref>Newton, Isaac, ''[https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16878/16878-h/16878-h.htm Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John]'', "Chap. XI. Of the Times of the Birth and Passion of Christ," 1733.</ref>}}

===Introduction of the feast===

===Introduction of the feast===

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Jesus Christ]]

* [[Jesus Christ]]

* [[X-mas]]

* [[X-mas]]

* [[Christmas in Conservapedia]]

* [[Christmas in Conservapedia]]

* [[I Believe in Father Christmas]]

* [[I Believe in Father Christmas]]

== External links ==

== External links ==