Nobody knows the actual date Jesus was born. The Bible doesn't give one, and early Christians focused far more on Easter. December 25 appears as the date of Christmas in Rome by the year 336, and historians have two main explanations for why that date was chosen: a calculation based on the date of Jesus's death, and the influence of Roman winter festivals. Both may have played a part.
What the Bible says (and doesn't)
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke describe the birth of Jesus but give no date or season. Some people point to the shepherds "abiding in the field" at night (Luke 2:8) as a sign of a spring or summer birth, but sheep could be out in winter in Judea too, so it's not conclusive. Several early Christian writers suggested dates in spring, and others suggested January 6.
The earliest record of December 25
The oldest surviving reference to Christmas on December 25 is in a Roman almanac known as the Chronograph of 354, which lists Jesus's birth on that date in a calendar of martyrs' feasts. That list appears to date from around AD 336, during the reign of Constantine, the first Christian emperor. From Rome, the December 25 feast spread across the Western church, and most Eastern churches had adopted it by the end of the 4th century.
Theory 1: the calculation theory
Some early Christian writers believed that great prophets died on the same date they were conceived. Many placed Jesus's death on March 25 (in the Roman calendar, the date of the spring equinox). If he was conceived on March 25, then a birth nine months later falls on December 25. That's also why the Feast of the Annunciation, when Mary is told she will bear a child, is on March 25.
In the East, a similar calculation using April 6 produced January 6, which is one reason that date was also significant.
Theory 2: the winter festival theory
December 25 was the date of the winter solstice in the Julian calendar, and Romans celebrated several winter festivals:
- Saturnalia, a festival of feasting, gift-giving and role reversal, ran from December 17 for several days.
- Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, the "birthday of the Unconquered Sun", was celebrated on December 25, at least by the later 3rd and 4th centuries.
According to this theory, the church placed Christ's birth on the solstice to give a Christian meaning to an existing celebration, and Christian writers did link Jesus to the "Sun of righteousness". Historians still debate which way the influence ran, and many think both ideas reinforced each other.
Whatever the origin, many familiar customs, such as evergreens, candles, feasting and gift-giving, echo older midwinter traditions like Saturnalia and northern European Yule. See winter and summer solstice explained.
Why some churches celebrate on January 7
Several Orthodox churches, including those of Russia, Serbia, Georgia and Jerusalem, and the Ethiopian and Coptic churches, celebrate Christmas on January 7. They still celebrate on December 25, but on the old Julian calendar, which is now 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used for everyday dates. Other Orthodox churches, such as the Greek Orthodox Church, use a revised calendar and celebrate on December 25. The Armenian Apostolic Church keeps the ancient practice of celebrating Christmas and Epiphany together on January 6.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
In Western churches, Christmas is a season, not just a day. The "Twelve Days" run from December 25 to January 5, ending with Epiphany on January 6, which marks the visit of the Magi. The weeks before are Advent.
Christmas in America
- The Puritans of New England disapproved of Christmas celebrations, and the Massachusetts Bay Colony banned them from 1659 to 1681.
- In the 19th century, Washington Irving's stories, the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1823) and Thomas Nast's Santa Claus illustrations helped shape the family-focused Christmas Americans know today.
- Christmas became a federal holiday in 1870, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law that also made New Year's Day, Independence Day and Thanksgiving federal holidays.
- When December 25 falls on a weekend, the federal holiday is observed on the nearest weekday. In 2027, Christmas is on a Saturday, so it's observed on Friday, December 24. See US federal holidays 2026–2027.
How long until Christmas? The Christmas countdown shows days, hours and shopping weekends, and sleeps until Christmas is the version kids ask for.
Frequently asked questions
Was Jesus really born on December 25?
There's no historical evidence for any specific date. December 25 was chosen by the church in the 4th century.
Why is Christmas on January 7 in Russia?
The Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, in which December 25 currently falls on January 7 of the Gregorian calendar.
What day of the week is Christmas 2026?
Friday, December 25, 2026. In 2027, it's a Saturday.