Calculating Christmas: The Story Behind December 25

Touchstone ^ | 12/03 | William J. Tighe

[conservativecorner]

Thanks much for the article! :>)

[Skooz]

Very interesting read.

December 25 is as good a day as any to celebrate Christ's birth. It's a 365-1 shot any day you choose.

[mfulstone]

The article is dead wrong in many places. The error comes from not knowing Jewish customs and traditions.

You simply cannot understand the new testament if you don't kow the old.

[LS]

Such as the fact that all "sabbaths" did not occur on Saturday, hence the "Friday" death of Christ might actually be Wednesday?

[rhema]

The article is dead wrong in many places. The error comes from not knowing Jewish customs and traditions. You simply cannot understand the new testament if you don't kow the old.

I don't have the historical/exegetical erudition to refute or affirm your assertion, but I suspect Dr. Tighe and our own BibChr do. I emailed the link to Dr. Tighe, inviting him to respond.

Dr. William J. Tighe
Associate Professor
History
Ettinger 300H
E-mail: tighe@muhlenberg.edu

[AmericaUnited]

Detail some... and I do mean this for edification, not argument.

[Mercat]

Please elaborate on why the article is wrong. I want to learn. I've always been fascinated with the early Christian calendar. My birthday is March 25th. Thanks

[Joe 6-pack]

Thanks for the post!

In return, here's a Christmas primer."

[Joe 6-pack]

Thanks for the post!

In return, here's a Christmas primer."

[rhema]

Detail some... and I do mean this for edification, not argument.

A request of me? Since you contend with the premises of the article ("The article is dead wrong in many places"), isn't it incumbent upon you to provide the specific citations of its inaccuracies and the hard evidence that they're indeed inaccurate?

[rhema]

You beat me to it (#11).

[Argh]

bump

[rhema]

Thanks in return, and Merry Christmas. I'll pass the article on.

[mfulstone]

Two clues.

1. "Christmas" means "Christ's Mass" ie, the Lord's supper.

2. Jesus said he would only give ONE sign that He was the Messiah:

Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Where's the third night between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning?

[mfulstone]

More: Go here: http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa122397b.htm?terms=pagan%2Bsaviors

[jimtorr]

1. "Christmas" means "Christ's Mass" ie, the Lord's supper.

I believe that this use of "Christ's Mass" actually refers to the Mass celebrated on Christmas eve, and to the first full day of Christmas, ie, the Feast of the Nativity.

[sirchtruth]

Where's the third night between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning?

Sunday morning? Try Saturday night.

[IronJack]

Another atheist ox gored!

Well done.

[Adder]

Hmm, I always thought that Christmas co-opted, as it were, Saturnalia which was an ancient Roman festival where the slaves ruled over their masters for a day and gifts were exchanged.
The latter festival mentioned here was never mentioned previously.
As others have said, it makes little difference that Christ's Mass is celebrated when it is, tho there are several who damn it for having incorporated pagan ritual. Never could understand that one...who cares if they did?