THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTMAS (cont.) 
by Dave R. Mode, Jr.

CUSTOMS PRACTICED FOR CELEBRATION 

The celebrations made by pagan worshipers were a means of supporting the sun god in his struggle to renew the world with a new year. The celebration of the rebirth of the sun god would begin mid-December and last until the beginning of the New Year. The Romans named this period of celebration "Saturnalia", but it was more widely known as the Winter Solstice. Some of the customs practiced consisted of merrymaking, wishing each other good luck and good fortune for the New Year, exchanging gifts for good luck, and eating big dinners with family and friends. The practice of decorating green trees and houses were included in the celebration. The erecting of a green tree in the home to be decorated with ornaments was a means of showing worship to the sun god. This was done because of the belief that as part of the sun god's rebirth he came back as a green tree. Also, after the tree was decorated, gifts would be placed under the tree as a means of giving offerings to the sun god. The decorating of the house and the halls with lighted candles and lamps were done for the purpose of keeping away the hovering spirits of darkness that were afraid of light. 

CONSTANTINE'S EDICT OF 325 CE 

The edict of 325 CE by Emperor Constantine made Christianity the religion of his empire. What resulted from this edict was the forced acceptance of Christianity by pagan worshippers. This created a blending of pagan practices into the framework of the church. Although Jesus (Yeshua) was now considered the unconquered God, the Saturnalia festival was still being practiced. Since church leaders were unable to stop the new adherents to Christianity from embracing pagan forms of celebration, they began to allow these celebrations with a Christian emphasis. Prior to the third century CE, the church did not concern itself with celebrating the birth of the Messiah. However, in the fourth century the idea of celebrating the birth of the Lord became paramount. Prior to 325 CE, some congregations celebrated the birth of the Messiah. The dates chosen to celebrated his nativity varied. Some celebrated His birth on January 6, others in April, and some at other times of the year. From the time of 325 CE, it was established by the church in Rome that December 25th would be the official "Mass of Christ" or the "Christ-Mass". History indicates that this decision was launched from Rome to the rest of the Christian world in 336 or 353 CE. 

After considering that paganism had become blended into the church, it is obvious that December 25th was chosen as the Christ-Mass from pagan influences. Remember, the 25th of December was the birthday of the sun god. 

TIME FRAME OF THE MESSIAH'S BIRTH 

For those interested in the time frame of the Messiah's birth, one must look to the scriptures. Although it is difficult to located the exact day, the scriptures provide enough information to locate the time frame of the Messiah's birth. In Luke chapter 2, statements are made which help point to the time of year when the Messiah was born. In verses 25 it states, "...he waited eagerly for God to comfort Israel..." (Jewish New Testament). In verse 38 it states, "...waiting for Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) to be liberated" (Jewish New Testament). The expected comfort and liberation of Jerusalem (Israel) had to do with the coming of Yom Kippur- the Day of 

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