Do you have any evidence in any records from the time that say this? We do have records that show a long tradition of writers trying to calculate the date of December 25 for reasons that have nothing to do with Saturnalia or Sol Invictus.
Fascinating how many Christmas traditions trace back to classical antiquity. The Saturnalia parallels are well-known but the detail about Dionysus's December 25th celebration is intriguing, especially the bit about children's choirs being similiar to modern carols. The strategic decision by early Christians to adopt rather than ban these popular festivals shows real pragmatic thinking, even if it took centuries to fully Christianize them.
Zechariah was an Aaronid priest of the Abijah rotation, and his wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron (Luke 1:5 and 1 Chronicles 24:10). The Feast of Booths/Tabernacles occurred around September 25th, the approximate date when Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary to burn incense (Luke 1:8-9). An angel tells Zechariah that Elizabeth will have a son named John (Luke 1:10-13). In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would have a Son by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-33). Sixth months after September 25th is March 25th, the Feast of the Incarnation. Nine months after March 25th is December 25th, the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus. Although these dates are approximate, they are Biblically based. Christmas was not originally a major Christian Feast. Easter is the most important Christian Feast. Christmas probably became more important because of its proximity to all the pagan feasts you mentioned. Similarly, Hanukkah is not a major Jewish feast but has taken on greater importance due to its proximity to Christmas. The feast days for Christians are nevertheless based on the Bible including Christmas.
Do you have any evidence in any records from the time that say this? We do have records that show a long tradition of writers trying to calculate the date of December 25 for reasons that have nothing to do with Saturnalia or Sol Invictus.
Fascinating how many Christmas traditions trace back to classical antiquity. The Saturnalia parallels are well-known but the detail about Dionysus's December 25th celebration is intriguing, especially the bit about children's choirs being similiar to modern carols. The strategic decision by early Christians to adopt rather than ban these popular festivals shows real pragmatic thinking, even if it took centuries to fully Christianize them.
Zechariah was an Aaronid priest of the Abijah rotation, and his wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron (Luke 1:5 and 1 Chronicles 24:10). The Feast of Booths/Tabernacles occurred around September 25th, the approximate date when Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary to burn incense (Luke 1:8-9). An angel tells Zechariah that Elizabeth will have a son named John (Luke 1:10-13). In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would have a Son by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-33). Sixth months after September 25th is March 25th, the Feast of the Incarnation. Nine months after March 25th is December 25th, the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus. Although these dates are approximate, they are Biblically based. Christmas was not originally a major Christian Feast. Easter is the most important Christian Feast. Christmas probably became more important because of its proximity to all the pagan feasts you mentioned. Similarly, Hanukkah is not a major Jewish feast but has taken on greater importance due to its proximity to Christmas. The feast days for Christians are nevertheless based on the Bible including Christmas.
Apparently Dionysus was born in a sexual conception, not with a virgin mother. Why the misinformation?