Putting the X back in Xmas

wrote:
Why does this myth of the "Christian co-opt" continue?
The best that could be argued is that by _some_ accounts Saturnalia
ended on Dec. 25.
The other claimed holidays of the pagans were clearly not on the 25th.
I dunno.

You might want to do a little research first:

"Christmas has its origins in several pagan holidays. The Roman
celebration known as Saturnalia included the making and giving of small
presents (saturnalia et sigillaricia). This holiday was observed over a
series of days beginning on December 17 (the birthday of Saturn), and
ending on December 25 (the birthday of Sol Invictus, the "unconquered
sun".
"

You might want to do a little research before you repeat stuff from the
web.

Saturnalia finished on Dec. 23. See Macrobius, "Saturnalia" for
details of this feast (sadly not online).

The dies natalis solis invicti is first recorded in the Chronography of
354, in 354 AD:

http://www.tertullian.org//fathers/c...6_calendar.htm

Christmas is first recorded on that date some years earlier. Sol
Invictus himself was invented only in 274. (Probably the dies natalis
was established then too; I merely point out the lack of EVIDENCE for
what is so oft asserted).

.....please tell me you know that Easter isn't a christian holiday at least?

Since it is, it seems a curious demand. I hope you haven't read the
rubbish about "Eostre" (who may never have existed and is only recorded
9 centuries after Easter was first celebrated).

All the best,

Roger Pearse