Can we talk about Christmas?

[The Rabbi]

What?  Jesus wasn't born on 25 Dec?  It's all a lie!  I feel so used!   

Since we really don't know his birthdate, what does it matter?  That said, there are theological/symbolic reasons for choosing a date near the winter solstice. 

But it contravenes the words of your scripture that indicate it was in the spring.  If someone celebrates Dec 25th as the birthday of Jesus then he is clearly misinformed.

But I don't have a dog in that fight.

[RadioFreeSeaLab]

This atheist has been wishing people merry Christmas for years. So?

See, that is what I don't understand. You're an atheist, yet you've no problem with Christmas.  Why do some atheists flip out so much?
If you don't believe in a God, then who cares if a bunch of people want to celebrate something that doesn't exist?  Why should atheists even care?  Just leave the rest of us to our fantasies, and enjoy the good food and exchanging of gifts.

[RadioFreeSeaLab]

...
As they know of my culture, and as I know of theirs, there is no offense from either.  It's the TRUE meaning of embracing diversity, not the crap that the ACLU, Liberals, etc.. try to shove down your throat.

Wayne

Absolutely right.

[Perd Hapley]

What?  Jesus wasn't born on 25 Dec?  It's all a lie!  I feel so used!   

Since we really don't know his birthdate, what does it matter?  That said, there are theological/symbolic reasons for choosing a date near the winter solstice. 

But it contravenes the words of your scripture that indicate it was in the spring.  If someone celebrates Dec 25th as the birthday of Jesus then he is clearly misinformed.

But I don't have a dog in that fight.

It contravenes nothing.  Celebrating His birth on a particular day isn't a declaration that He was born on that day or even at that time of year.  And the Gospels may indicate that He was born in spring, but based on what?  Is it really that cut and dried?  If the date of birth was so important, why is the Bible so coy about it?  Maybe it's more important to celebrate the birth of the Messiah at a time when the days begin to lengthen, symbolizing renewed hope and deliverance from darkness.

[Marnoot]

In my faith, we believe the date of Christ's birth to be April 6th. That said, as a church we celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25th with the rest of Christianity, and not on April 6th. Why? Because the date itself is not so important, as fistful was saying. What is important is Christ's birth and that we remember it and its significance.

Maybe it's more important to celebrate the birth of the Messiah at a time when the days begin to lengthen, symbolizing renewed hope and deliverance from darkness.

That's not a perspective I've thought of before, but I quite like it.