The precise origin of assigning December 25 as the birth date of Jesus is unclear. The New Testament provides no clues in this regard. December 25 was first identified as the date of Jesus’ birth by Sextus Julius Africanus in 221 and later became the universally accepted date. One widespread explanation of the origin of this date is that December 25 was the Christianizing of the dies solis invicti nati (“day of the birth of the unconquered sun”), a popular holiday in the Roman Empire that celebrated the winter solstice as a symbol of the resurgence of the sun, the casting away of winter and the heralding of the rebirth of spring and summer. Indeed, after December 25 had become widely accepted as the date of Jesus’ birth, Christian writers frequently made the connection between the rebirth of the sun and the birth of the Son. One of the difficulties with this view is that it suggests a nonchalant willingness on the part of the Christian church to appropriate a pagan festival when the early church was so intent on distinguishing itself categorically from pagan beliefs and practices.

grasping at straws..

The precise origin of assigning December 25 as the birth date of Jesus is unclear. The New Testament provides no clues in this regard. December 25 was first identified as the date of Jesus’ birth by Sextus Julius Africanus in 221 and later became the universally accepted date. One widespread explanation of the origin of this date is that December 25 was the Christianizing of the dies solis invicti nati (“day of the birth of the unconquered sun”), a popular holiday in the Roman Empire that celebrated the winter solstice as a symbol of the resurgence of the sun, the casting away of winter and the heralding of the rebirth of spring and summer. Indeed, after December 25 had become widely accepted as the date of Jesus’ birth, Christian writers frequently made the connection between the rebirth of the sun and the birth of the Son. One of the difficulties with this view is that it suggests a nonchalant willingness on the part of the Christian church to appropriate a pagan festival when the early church was so intent on distinguishing itself categorically from pagan beliefs and practices.

“The early Christian community distinguished between the identification of the date of Jesus’ birth and the liturgical celebration of that event. The actual observance of the day of Jesus’ birth was long in coming. In particular, during the first two centuries of Christianity there was strong opposition to recognizing birthdays of martyrs or, for that matter, of Jesus. Numerous Church Fathers offered sarcastic comments about the pagan custom of celebrating birthdays when, in fact, saints and martyrs should be honoured on the days of their martyrdom—their true “birthdays,” from the church’s perspective.”

“Christmas, Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is of fairly recent origin. The earlier term Yule may have derived from the Germanic jōl or the Anglo-Saxon geōl, which referred to the feast of the winter solstice. The corresponding terms in other languages—Navidad in Spanish, Natale in Italian, Noël in French—all probably denote nativity. The German word Weihnachten denotes “hallowed night.” Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays the pivotal role. Christmas is celebrated on Sunday, December 25, 2022.”

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas

You can stick you head in the sand and sing “La La La” but it is. Evidently. Per full blown credible sources.

Below I’ve listed a little light reading for you to educate yourself on the origins of Christmas and it’s hijack of pagan winter solace traditions. Im not incorrect.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/wbna50284202

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/the-unexpected-pagan-origins-of-popular-christmas-traditions/

No, I disagreed and stated my opinion as a someone that “celebrates” and than you proceed to anti Xmas/Christian rant and gaslight. On brand for you tho.

You’re the only person arguing in your feelings. I asked simple questions. You went on some anti Xmas/Christian rant. Weird

You apparently have feels about Xmas or something. But can confidently say it’s not really that religious because it’s based of a pagan holiday. But that’s awhile another topic of conversation, much like how you just hijacked and derailed my innocent wholesome thread. You could use some Xmas cheer.

Ok, I’m confused. You say there’s no market or interest. But then you admit that as a Jewish person it’s nice to feel acknowledged in a society dominated in a different holiday you don’t celebrate? What’s the disconnect here?

Nevermind the over commercialization of Xmas and other “Christian” holidays because it’s the majorities default religious background here it makes sense bc capitalism...

But Christmas is hardly religious anymore. It’s just a reason to spend money to send into the economy and be merry. Yeah, some people go to church, etc but that’s probably the only time of the year, beside maybe Easter and people hardly go for those anymore these days

Ok. I get that that Hanukkah isn’t the Christmas equivalent in true Jew faith, but for the sake of this articles topic it is, and clearly there a missing market/need for it. So, I’ll expand that and ask why isn’t there any festive things or decorations for any Jew(ish) holidays like Rosh Hashanah, etc?

Also, aren’t we late stage jew assimilation per US history? This is a judo-Christian society

I get that Judaism is a minority religious group and there’s only so many pockets of enclaves across the US.. but say in Baltimore/MD(Pikesville, OM,etc) for example; I would think there would be. I mean, we get these federal holidays off here. I’ve met many’s Jews moving to Baltimore Co, going the college here, living and working than I did in Harford county were there wasn’t any in my schools.

There just clearly a missing market/interest seems odd to me that I hasn’t been tapped into hardly at this point in society. I personally would be interested in the cultural festivities is all. Now I have friends that I have, but I think exposure is important.

If that’s true then this wouldn’t be a big enough deal to write this article about it.

Ya know. I’ve often wondered why with Maryland, especially Baltimore having such a large Jew(ish) population - why there isn’t more holiday decorations/festive things like this in places like Pikesville, Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Potomac, etc for Hanukkah?

You can walk in Bolton hill at night. I do often as a few of my friends live on Eutaw. When I first moved to Baltimore after college I lived across north ave in Reservoir Hill and walked as my main source of transportation to downtown/mount Vernon/city at all hours of the night sober and not. Keep your wits about you. But both neighborhoods are some of most architecturally beautiful ones. I have plans to buy in Reservoir Hill.

As for nightlife - it’s very much a residential brownstone neighborhood, but there are gems there like Mount Royal Tavern (dirt church), Cook House, Tilted Row and On The Hill Cafe- so not completely abysmal. There are other shops on the ground floor of the ReNew MV apartment complex across from the light rail station and the armory/state center. Theres a Save-a-lot grocery store on McMechen St. That’s the closet. But you’ll need to go to Mount Vernon(Streets/Eddie’s), Station North, old Goucher/Charles Village(Gaint/Streets), Remington/Hampden (MOMs), Mount Washington (whole foods) for everything else. Good thing is you’re in a great spot for public transit. You can use the light rail/subway/bus and the circulator and hop on Marc/Amtrak at Penn Station

As for the diversity and inclusion… historically bolton hill was for WASPs, there’s art weirdos, hipsters, old money trust funders, other members of the alphabet soup group, and etc. Bolton hill is wedged between the former gayborhood (Mount Vernon) and the new/alternative one (Old Goucher/station north).

You’re also close to Druid Hill Park/ MD Zoo and all it’s amenities, Jones Falls, and the brunt of the cultural attractions.

All bus lines were old trolley lines before hogan messed it up

Baltimore has had a tax surplus for years and books in the black. What mismanagement of funds? Audits are available to the public and done annually. Stop using nonsensical talking points and do research.

Because that’s a squeeze corner. My office is right next to this building and they are there everyday

This is what y’all voted for when you wanted term limits. Now this is what you get.

You can find rooms in houses for $600. But the lowest for a studio/efficiency you’ll find is $800

Go to keystone corner for jazz

Bside

That line has moved up to orleans just about.

This shooting, like the vast majority of murders wasn’t random. It was targeted shooting.

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