𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧: 𝐀 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆: When I wrote this blog, my goal was simple: to challenge a common misunderstanding within our Torah Pursuant community—that Christmas is inherently pagan. This claim, often rooted in works like Alexander Hislop’s The Two Babylons, has been repeated so often that it feels like fact, yet it crumbles under scrutiny. For me, this isn’t about defending Christmas as a holiday but about pursuing truth and exposing the deception that has taken root among us. If we’re serious about walking in G-d’s ways, we must be willing to test every idea against history and Scripture, letting go of falsehoods, no matter how familiar they feel.

My heart in this is to encourage humility and unity. Whether or not someone chooses to celebrate Yeshua’s birth is deeply personal, and I respect that decision. But I believe we can move beyond myths and misinformation to focus on what truly matters: the light of Yeshua and the redemptive work He came to fulfill. At its core, this isn’t about a holiday—it’s about glorifying G-d, loving one another, and seeking the truth that sets us free.

Now to the teaching...

Many of us have heard the claim that Christmas is rooted in pagan traditions. Stories abound that December 25th was borrowed from pagan festivals like Saturnalia or Sol Invictus and that modern customs—trees, wreaths, and mistletoe—are relics of ancient idolatry. But is this true? The historical evidence says otherwise.

These claims gained traction in the 16th and 17th centuries, when Puritans rejected Christmas, concerned by its rowdy celebrations and perceived ties to paganism. Later, in 1858, Alexander Hislop’s 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝐵𝑎𝑏𝑦𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠 accused nearly every Christian tradition of being rooted in ancient Babylonian idolatry. While Hislop’s zeal to purify faith may have been sincere, his scholarship was not. His claims lacked evidence and relied on speculative connections, much like conspiracy theories.

So, where did the date of December 25th come from? Early Christians like Sextus Julius Africanus and Hippolytus of Rome calculated this date based on Scripture. Africanus wrote in the 3rd century that Yeshua was conceived on March 25th, based on his reading of Luke and Matthew. Nine months later brings us to December 25th (Sextus Julius Africanus, 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑎𝑖, ca. 221 CE). Hippolytus, writing around the same time, affirmed the same date (Hippolytus of Rome, 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑛 𝐷𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑙 4.23.3).

What about the pagan festivals often cited as the source of Christmas? Saturnalia was celebrated on December 17th, and Brumalia took place in late November. The Roman festival of Sol Invictus was moved to December 25th in 274 CE—long after Christians were already marking Yeshua’s birth on that date (Thomas J. Talley, 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑌𝑒𝑎𝑟, 1986, pp. 88–91). Historians like Talley argue that pagans, not Christians, adjusted their festivals to compete with the growing Christian faith.

As for traditions like Christmas trees, the earliest mention comes from Martin Luther in the 16th century. Luther reportedly brought a tree into his home, decorating it with candles to symbolize the light of Christ (Bruce David Forbes, 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑠: 𝐴 𝐶𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝐻𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦, 2007, p. 50). Claims that trees or wreaths are pagan have no historical basis.

Now, let’s ask: Should Torah Pursuant believers celebrate Yeshua’s birth? While the Torah doesn’t command this observance, it also doesn’t forbid it. Yeshua Himself celebrated Hanukkah (John 10:22)—a festival that isn’t in the Torah but honors G-d’s work in preserving His people. If Yeshua recognized G-d’s deliverance during the Maccabean revolt, why wouldn’t we celebrate His incarnation, the moment when G-d dwelled among us?

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 that idols hold no real power. Even if pagans once twisted certain symbols, it doesn’t mean they remain tainted forever. G-d redeems what others corrupt. And Paul’s words in Colossians 2:16 encourage us not to let anyone judge us concerning festivals.

For Torah Pursuant believers, the focus of Christmas isn’t about trees or wreaths—it’s about rejoicing in the Word made flesh. Whether or not you celebrate, let your conscience guide you. But remember, Yeshua’s birth is a moment worth reflecting on, as it marks the greatest gift G-d has ever given us.

Let’s celebrate the truth and light of Yeshua. May we honor His incarnation in a way that glorifies G-d and deepens our walk in Torah.

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 (𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧) 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬!

Meri (she'eino avodah zarah) Chag HaMolad!