This came from a closed thread. I've snipped irrelevant comments and put the comment in [ ]. My comments are interspersed.
[ Now let's break down some aspects about the historic Feast of the Nativity/Christmas.
It's celebrated on December 25th, which in antiquity was the winter solstice--as such a number of solar cults made significant use of this day.
Why December 25th? The popular theory is that the Christian Church sought to compete against the Pagan solar cults--particularly Sol Invictus--and used December 25th as a means to take focus away from these Pagan observances and observe Christ.
Let's take that theory as is for the sake of argument. If it is true why is this bad? From a Christian perspective the celebration of Jesus is, of course, better than the celebration of any solar deity, Christ is (after all) True God of True God.
-snip-
You want those who worship Mithras or Sol Invictus to have the winter solstice? That's fine. I, however, believe it belongs to the Living God. ]
Come out of Egypt, come out of her, comes to mind. As well, purge out the old leaven, if you think pagan.
[ But let's look at it another way as well. There existed a tradition that a prophet died on the day he was conceived--that is, he had a "perfect" life. Jewish tradition maintains, for example, that Moses and David both died on the days they were born. A rather well established Christian tradition maintained that Jesus was crucified on March 25th, and thus was conceived on March 25th. December 25th. ]
I've heard of this "tradition", but never found references to it. Here's one for us though indicating the time of the birth of our Saviour:
" According to Jewish tradition, the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night had
first appeared to Israel on the 15th of Tishri, the first day of the feast. On that day also Moses was said to have come down from the Mount, and accounted to the people that the Tabernacle of God was to be reared among them. We know that the dedication of Solomon's Temple and the
descent of the Shechinah took place at this feast (1 Kings 8; 2 Chron 7). Nor can we greatly err in finding an allusion to it in this description of heavenly things: 'After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb' (Rev 7:9,10). "
http://www.studylight.org/his/bc/edr/tem/view.cgi?book=1&chapter=14
Shall we celebrate it as given us?
[ -snip- There is also legitimacy for a winter birth date for Christ. St. Luke records for us that Zechariah, who served during the priestly rotation of Abijah, received a vision of an angel proclaiming that his wife, Elizabeth would have a child. This is the well known story of how St. John the Baptist was conceived.
When did the priests of the division of Abijah serve in the temple? Once near the end of Iyyar (April-May) and once near the end of Marheshvan (October-November). For the sake of argument let's say that Zechariah was fulfilling his priestly duties during Marheshvan, after which time Elizabeth was found with child. It was in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy that Mary became pregnant with the Lord--that is, during the spring, ~Iyyar. Nine months later would give Jesus' time of birth sometime during winter, December-January-ish. Which still corresponds with the traditional December 25th/January 6th dates used in the ancient Church. ]
Okay. This is a solid time marker. As given above, however, the time facts are wrong. Abijah was the eighth division of 24. They served twice a year, BUT all served three times a year for Passover, Pentecost, and Booths (Tabernacles), all were required at the temple. That is the full cycle. So, counting from the start of their year (Nisan 1) and accounting for Passover and Pentecost and Booths (all served), this means John was conceived in June and 6 months later Jesus conceived in early January. John was born at Passover and 6 months later Jesus was born at Booths.