Wikipedia doubts it. I think Christmas celebrations more closely resemble Saturnalia, which also happens around that time.
Wikipedia doubts it.
Since the 12th century,[46] there have been speculations that the near-solstice date of 25 December for Christmas was selected because it was the date of the festival of dies natalis solis invicti, but historians of late antiquity make no mention of this, and others speculate Aurelian chose December 25 to shadow early Christian celebrations already on the rise.[47]
I think Christmas celebrations more closely resemble Saturnalia, which also happens around that time.
Wikipedia doubts it.
I think Christmas celebrations more closely resemble Saturnalia, which also happens around that time.