In this video presentation I’m going to argue that December 25th is likely the most historically accurate day that the earliest Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ.
The question of whether Jesus of Nazareth was a historical figure or a mythological fabrication has long intrigued historical scholars and theologians. In this video I’m going to suggest that Jesus was not a historical person but rather a celestial being, akin to other savior gods in ancient Greek and Egyptian traditions. My perspective here, which I believe to be supported by a historical literary analysis of early Christian writings, particularly those of the Apostle Paul, is a viable lens through which to understand the origins of Christianity.
In my research on the origins of Christianity I’ve seen the clear parallels between Jesus and other mythological deities who were venerated as celestial figures. I propose that the earliest Christians, including Paul, likely believed in a purely mystical and heavenly Jesus who existed in the spiritual realm. This Jesus was not a literal man who walked the Earth but rather a divine figure who performed salvific acts in the heavens (as all the other greco-roman and Egyptian savior gods of that day did).
The writings of the Apostle Paul are the earliest Christian writings we have and Paul was the first person in history to ever mention that name “Jesus Christ”. In view of this I’d like to point out that the Jesus referencing passages in Paul’s letters lack any reference at all to a historical biography of Jesus. Instead, Paul speaks of Jesus in abstract, mystical, and cosmic terms. For instance, in Philippians 2:6-8, Jesus is described as a pre-existent divine being who humbled himself by taking on a heavenly form to achieve redemption, and as spiritual being was only in the appearance of the ‘likeness’ of a man. There is no mention of Jesus’ earthly ministry, birthplace, or family—elements that one might expect if Paul were referencing a historical figure.
So what does this have to do with Christmas and the dating of Jesus’ mystical birth occurring during the winter solstice around December 25th?
One of the clear features of the mythical Jesus view is its connection to solar mythology. In ancient traditions, many savior gods, such as Osiris, Mithras, and Dionysus, were closely associated with the cycles of the sun. These deities often embodied themes of death and rebirth, symbolizing the solar cycle of the winter solstice, when the sun appears to "die" and then "rise" again, heralding longer days and renewed life.
The mythical view suggests that Jesus fits within this framework. As a savior god, Jesus’ death and resurrection align with the motif of the dying and rising sun. This symbolic connection would have been deeply meaningful in the ancient world, where the sun’s movements were seen as critical to agricultural and spiritual renewal. The notion of Jesus being “born” during the winter solstice—around December 25th—is consistent with this solar imagery, as this date marks the “rebirth” of the sun in many pagan traditions.
The earliest Christians, influenced by Hellenistic and Jewish mystical traditions, would likely have conceived of Jesus as a celestial intermediary between God and humanity. My analysis here emphasizes that Paul’s epistles—the earliest Christian writings—contain no mention of Jesus’ earthly deeds, teachings, or crucifixion under Pontius Pilate. No mention of Jesus as a literal historical person on earth. Instead, Paul focuses on a spiritual Jesus whose sacrifice takes place in the heavenly realm, as a mystical son of God. This aligns with the broader pattern of the various savior deities of the first century who were believed to operate in the cosmic plane, or heavenly realms.
Historically we know there was a heavy role of syncretism in early Christianity. The merging of Jewish apocalyptic thought with Greco-Roman mystery religions provided fertile ground for the development of a mythological savior figure. The adoption of December 25th as the date of Jesus’ birth by Christians was likely an attempt to align Jesus with existing solar deities, thereby making the new faith more accessible to other pagan converts. It is highly likely that the earliest Christians, who viewed Jesus as a celestial solar deity, also celebrated his “birth” on the winter solstice. This date symbolized the "rebirth" of the sun and aligned perfectly with their understanding of Jesus as the “Light of the World” and a bringer of renewal. The symbolic significance of December 25th in ancient cultures would have resonated deeply with early Christian theology, further cementing this date as a fitting celebration of Jesus' celestial and salvific nature.
If the earliest Christians of Paul’s day believed Jesus to be a heavenly being rather than a historical figure, this has profound implications for our understanding of Christianity’s origins. The mythical Jesus theory challenges the assumption that the Gospels—written decades after Paul’s letters—provide a reliable historical account of Jesus’ life. Instead, these narratives represent a later effort to historicize a celestial myth for theological and political purposes. Just like many pagan deities in the greco roman world have historical narratives written about them. Being portrayed as a real person, going on adventures, meeting various peoples and encountering various cultures, experiencing trials, so too the gospels are written decades later to paint Jesus in similar historical fashion. Even though he was a mythical heavenly savior god, he was written about as the main character in the mythical historical fiction narratives of the day.
It is in the historical fiction narratives of the Gospels called Matthew and Luke that Jesus’ mystical birth is described. Both narratives are described as allegories within the cosmology of the zodiac. Describing the main character, baby Jesus, under a bright star. The association of Jesus with the cosmology of the winter solstice further underscores the symbolic nature of his story. As the “Light of the World,” Jesus’ birth during the darkest time of the year carries rich metaphorical significance, reflecting the hope and renewal associated with the sun’s return. This interpretation not only situates Jesus within the broader tradition of solar deities but also provides a compelling explanation for the enduring power of his myth. This is tied directly to the reason why Christendom has celebrated the birth of the sun of god, the savior deity, Jesus Christ, as taking place on December 25th. And rightly so, for the winter solstice is the proper date for a sun god savior to be born in ancient pagan and hellenistic cosmology.
In conclusion, I think that by understanding Jesus as a celestial mystical savior figure rooted in ancient solar traditions, we gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural and spiritual dynamics that shaped early Christian belief. Whether one views Jesus as a historical figure or a mythological fabrication, the exploration of his story is a reflection of universal themes—such as death, rebirth, and the triumph of light over darkness—something that billions of people have celebrated during the winter solstice, around December 25th, for nearly 4000 years. So it seems more than reasonable that Christians today who worship a solar savior deity also worship and honor their deity’s birth on that day.
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