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Backstory: Why is Christmas on December 25? episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 11, 2024 · 13 MIN

Backstory: Why is Christmas on December 25?

from Christmas Past · host Brian Earl

If Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, and we celebrate it on December 25, then Jesus must have been born on that day, right? Not so fast! We actually have no good idea when Jesus was born. And besides, the observance of his birth on December 25 is a 4th century contrivance. But why December 25 of all days? In today's episode, professor and author Michael Foley joins Brian to make sense of it all. Get a copy of Dr. Foley's book, Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe.Music in this episode"Stress Relief Piano" — PianoAmor, via Pixabay"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist"Neatly Folded" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Oh Christmas Tree" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech"First Snow" — Scott Buckley, via scottbuckley.com.auConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: [email protected] BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

What this episode covers

If Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, and we celebrate it on December 25, then Jesus must have been born on that day, right? Not so fast! We actually have no good idea when Jesus was born. And besides, the observance of his birth on December 25 is a 4th century contrivance. But why December 25 of all days? In today's episode, professor and author Michael Foley joins Brian to make sense of it all. Get a copy of Dr. Foley's book, Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe. Music in this episode ...

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Backstory: Why is Christmas on December 25?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Christmas Past?

This episode is 13 minutes long.

When was this Christmas Past episode published?

This episode was published on December 11, 2024.

What is this episode about?

If Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, and we celebrate it on December 25, then Jesus must have been born on that day, right? Not so fast! We actually have no good idea when Jesus was born. And besides, the observance of his birth on December...

Can I download this Christmas Past episode?

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