December 25 literally the Day of the Birth of the Unconquered Sun, invented by Emperor Julian in an attempt to restore paganism to the Roman Empire in the early 300s.
Dec 25 only became accepted as the birth date of Jesus afterwards.
tbf Julian was more of a neoplatonist rather than a sun cultist, and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti predates Julian. But yes, December 25 being ‘Christmas’ is absolutely part of the Christian exploitation of pre-existing pagan traditions to make conversion easier - as is Christmas’s relation to Saturnalia, a way cooler holiday than some dweeb being born in Bethlehem, smh.
December 25 literally the Day of the Birth of the Unconquered Sun, invented by Emperor Julian in an attempt to restore paganism to the Roman Empire in the early 300s.
Dec 25 only became accepted as the birth date of Jesus afterwards.
Can’t make it up.
tbf Julian was more of a neoplatonist rather than a sun cultist, and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti predates Julian. But yes, December 25 being ‘Christmas’ is absolutely part of the Christian exploitation of pre-existing pagan traditions to make conversion easier - as is Christmas’s relation to Saturnalia, a way cooler holiday than some dweeb being born in Bethlehem, smh.