Part 1
There are 2 things I wanted to look at in this thread. First, does anybody here know the actual date of the birth of Jesus? I have done some looking into it and apparently it isn't Dec, 25. That is a date that Christmas was moved to... but what day was it moved from?


Does anybody know?

Part2
Also, I was wondering when the Christmas season begins for people here. When do you put up the lights? Buy Christmas gifts? When do you first start getting invited to Christmas parties? Stuff like that.

I'd be happy with an answer to either or both of these questions from you all. Thanks.

The date of Jesus' birth is almost entirely unknown. There are nothing but guesses.

The reason it is celebrated on December 25 is that the holiday was converted from the former pagan holiday which celebrates the winter solstice. Most cultures in the ancient world celebrated the solstice (and the spring equinox) in some fashion. In the case of Western Civilization, the conversion was from the germanic practice of have the festival of Yule (and "burning the Yule log"). Once these germanic, scandinavian tribes were converted from observing the traditions of Thor, Odin, etc., their holidays were allowed be carried on with a Christian flavor. The winter solstice holiday became the celebration of Jesus' advent, because it was thought that Jesus was born during the winter.

Christmas begins the week after Thanksgiving for us.

Thanks, Jay. there's some history there. I knew it wasn't Dec 25 that Jesus was born, but as long as people keep Him in mind, that's the important thing. And after Thanksgiving sounds like a good time to begin the Christmas season.

Christmas starts the day after Thanksgiving. With a sneak preview when Santa comes at the end of the Macy's parade. The next day many stores will be decorated, the town will start, stuff will be in the store, and music on the radio. unlike some people I know, we do not put up the tree and lights that weekend though.

The week after, I believe the Rockefeller tree is lit and it's usually cold and starts feeling like Christmas.



As far as i know, some references in the Bible make people think Jesus was actually born in Springtime.

September is another serious theory based on trying to analyze the Jewish calendar.

So at least they've got it narrowed down to winter, spring, or the summer/fall timeframe.

Basically any time but December

A guy on the radio called Spaceman does a show about controversial topics and conspiracy theories. The illuminati and new world order...etc..He also talks about the end times. He did a 3 hour show once, and at the end of it he said that Jesus' birthdate was 9-11.


I dunno if that's right or not...


http://www.640toronto.com/HostsandShows/AViewFromSpace.aspx

This.

Let's look at it like this: Christmas need not ever end.

Bush should do that by executive order as his last act before leaving office: dictate that Christmas will run for the entire year on all subsequent years.

He can claim it was part of the financial bailout, and that the 7/24/365+
present-giving centric mandate is good for America and American business.

Plus, Congress would be on indefinite recess.

Sounds like a win-win-win, maybe even a win-win-win-win.

I'm totally in favor of that.