Its Sacred Roots, Its History, and the Layers Added Over Time
-A Devotional ISKCON Perspective
Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated festivals on Earth. For billions, it is a sacred day honoring the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, a messenger of divine love and compassion. Yet Christmas is also a festival with multiple layers: spiritual, historical, cultural, political, and even commercial.
Understanding these layers helps us appreciate what is real, what is symbolic, and what has been added over time. Srila Prabhupada encouraged devotees to respect Jesus Christ and honor his teachings while being aware of how spirituality can sometimes get buried under materialistic traditions.
The Spiritual Essence: The Real Heart of Christmas
At its purest, Christmas celebrates:
- the appearance of Jesus Christ
- his teachings of love for God
- compassion for all beings
- humility, forgiveness, and sacrifice
Srila Prabhupada often glorified Jesus as a shakti-avesha avatara, empowered by God. He said repeatedly:
“We have all respect for Lord Jesus Christ. He preached God consciousness.”
The core of Christmas is therefore fully aligned with the central message of the Bhagavad Gita:
“A devotee who is devoted to Me with love is very dear to Me.”
(BG 12.20)
When Christmas inspires devotion, gratitude, and charity, it becomes spiritually meaningful.
The Historical Side: What We Know… and What We Don’t
While the spiritual figure of Jesus is real and well-documented, the historical details are more complex.
Serious historians agree:
- The exact birth date of Jesus is unknown.
- The Bible gives no date for his birth.
- Early Christians did not celebrate a birthday festival for him.
- Climate records (shepherds keeping watch at night) make a December birth unlikely.
Most scholars suggest Jesus was born somewhere between March and September.
This means the 25 December date is not a historical revelation but something that developed later.
Why 25 December? The Adopted and Adapted Festival
Around the 3rd–4th century, Christianity was spreading across the Roman Empire. Roman society already celebrated a major festival on 25 December:
Dies Natalis Solis Invicti
The Birth of the Unconquered Sun.
It marked the winter solstice, the return of sunlight, and the symbolic “rebirth” of the sun.
The festival involved:
- evergreen trees
- lights
- feasts
- gift-giving
- public celebration
To help convert pagan populations more smoothly, Christian leaders adopted the date and symbolism, giving it a new meaning centered on Christ, the “spiritual sun.”
Thus, Christmas as a date is traditional, not scriptural.
Its intention: make spiritual culture more accessible in its time.
Pagan Customs That Became Christmas Traditions
Many customs associated with Christmas are not originally Christian at all. They come from pre-Christian Europe, especially Germanic and Celtic cultures.
Christmas Tree
Evergreen trees symbolizing life in winter.
Wreaths, holly, and mistletoe
Druidic symbols of protection and renewal.
Yule logs
From Norse midwinter festivals.
Gift-giving and feasting
Common among ancient solstice celebrations.
Santa Claus
A modern combination of Saint Nicholas, Norse god Odin, Dutch folklore, and 20th-century American advertising.
These elements are cultural, not spiritual. They became associated with Christmas over centuries.
The Fictional and the Distorted Layers
Over time, Christmas accumulated layers that have little to do with the teachings of Jesus:
- Santa, reindeer, elves
- massive shopping seasons
- competitive decoration
- materialistic gift culture
- meat-heavy meals
- parties and excesses
This is what Srila Prabhupada repeatedly criticized: the tendency to forget God while celebrating in His name.
Jesus taught:
- simplicity
- nonviolence
- compassion
- renunciation
- devotion to God
- service to the poor
Much of modern Christmas goes in the opposite direction, becoming noisy, worldly, and consumer-driven.
The festival becomes distorted when its spiritual message is forgotten.
What Remains True and Beautiful
Despite all the additions of history, the heart of Christmas remains powerful:
- remembering God
- appreciating Jesus’ sacrifice
- cultivating compassion
- strengthening family and community
- helping the poor
- spreading goodwill
These virtues harmonize perfectly with Vaishnava teachings.
Srila Prabhupada said:
“Anyone who loves God is our friend.”
Christmas, when understood deeply, becomes a bridge of spiritual friendship.
December–January = Margashirsha Month
In the Vedic calendar (depending on lunar/solar reckoning), December often overlaps with Margashirsha.
And Krishna Himself says:
“Among months, I am Margashirsha.”
(Bhagavad Gita 10.35)
This is the strongest, most authentic Vedic link.
So if someone says “This is Krishna’s month,” THIS is the correct scriptural basis.
But note: it’s Margashirsha maasa, not “Krishna maasa.”
For devotees, Christmas is an opportunity to uplift the heart, share Krishna consciousness, distribute Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrita and honor a great devotee of God.
May this Christmas season inspire everyone toward deeper devotion, compassion, and spiritual understanding.
Hare Krishna.
May the light of divine love illuminate your home.
related link: https://iskconraichur.com/christianity/