Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 9 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
Church Life: AD 150  /  Holidays  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 9
Bercot says he found no pre-Nicene evidence of celebrating Christ’s birth, connects December 25 to countering Saturnalia, and notes Tertullian rebuked Christians for participating in pagan midwinter customs (lights, laurels, gifts, banquets); what does this imply about holiness, separation, and witness—and which current “Christianized” cultural habits might deserve similarly hard scrutiny?
Another way to ask: If early Christians didn’t celebrate Jesus’ birth and some warned against joining pagan winter customs, what does that say about being holy and looking different from the culture? What “Christian” holiday habits today might need the same kind of honest review?

Direct Answer The transcript implies that holiness and witness require real separation from pagan-style festivities and a willingness to critique “Christianized” customs that are direct carryovers from the world, especially when they blur identity and make Christians look more pagan than distinct.

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot says he found “not even one single reference” to celebrating Christ’s birth “before the time of Constantine.”
  • He dates Christmas’ emergence to the post-Constantinian 4th century, with earliest evidence a calendar “AD 354,” and says December 25 was likely chosen to coincide with and “counteract” Saturnalia and winter solstice feasts.
  • From Tertullian (197): pagans decorate with reeds, lamps; houses decorated “like some new brothel.”
  • Tertullian lists Saturnalia/New Year/midwinter gifts, wreaths, and says these “ceremony of the devil” are frequented.
  • He rebukes Christians: “The Saturnalia… are frequented by us… The pagans are more faithful… Yet we’re not apprehensive that we might appear to be pagans.”
  • Bercot argues modern customs like “colored lights and wreaths” and gift-giving appear to be “direct carryover” from Saturnalia.
Discussion Follow-ups Where do our celebrations communicate discipleship—and where do they communicate comfort, consumerism, or imitation of the world? What customs might need rethinking for the sake of clear witness?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10
Back Questions Next