December 25th's festivities around the world and across time
Whilst 25th December is now indelibly associated with Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ in the western Christian tradition, it is interesting to note that numerous other faiths also mark pivotal spiritual events for their central figures during the late December solstice period in general and December 25th in particular. These include the revered Bodhi Day commemorating Buddha’s enlightenment (Dec. 8), the Dongzhi Festival in China celebrating the arrival of winter (Dec. 21-23), and the Persian Mithraic celebration of Yalda Night heralding Mithra’s victory over darkness following the year’s longest night (Dec 20/21). Although emerging from distinct cultures across history, these mythic and spiritual festivities share remarkably common themes — honouring a particular deity’s triumph over adversity, revelations of divine wisdom, or the hope their deeds might portend regarding humanity’s spiritual reawakening and salvation during times of greatest physical and moral gloom. What does this say about the global psyche’s sense of needing regeneration during the winter seasons? The universality suggests these faiths tapped into a common human thread binding societies for millennia.
Common themes
Jesus Christ became the central figure of Christianity, reshaping the faith’s Judaic origins into a now global religion. As the “Son of God,” Jesus represents divine self-sacrifice for humanity, offering the promise of salvation. His birth marks the incarnation of God into the mortal world in human form. December 25 is the traditional date that has been celebrated in Christianity as the birthday of Jesus since at least the 4th century AD. However, the Bible does not specify his precise birthdate.
Mithra, in Persian Zoroastrianism, personified oaths and contracts, bearing witness to compacts made between peoples and governing rulers. As an entity regulating order and justice in society, Mithra gained importance in Roman times. Some find parallels with Christianity’s themes of righteousness, light over darkness, and rebirth. His birthday is thought to have been celebrated on December 25th based on interpretations of ancient calendars, but concrete proof is lacking.
Sol Invictus was the official sun god of the later Roman Empire, associated with imperial power and worldly victory. Designating the sun’s annual return in winter linked Sol Invictus’ revival to hopes for renewed prosperity under divine approval of Roman authority. Its celebration precedes Roman Christianity.
Osiris, although ruler of Egypt’s dead in mythology, symbolized cycles of death and renewal. Commemorating Osiris' birth around the winter solstice reinforced concepts of resurrection and eternal life, as agricultural order was restored. This may find echoes in Christian ideas.
Connections?
Intriguingly, geographical proximity and trade networks linked several of the cultures that revere these figures. Mithra originated in Persia whilst the Roman festivities for Sol Invictus emerged after their defeat of Syria’s Mithraism-influenced rulers. Journeys along the Silk Road seeing Buddhism take root from India to China facilitated the sharing of myths. And the rapid spread of Christianity built upon existing diasporas, myriad Mediterranean contacts, and the Pax Romana infrastructure that Jesus’ apostles exploited for proselytisation. Transmitting concepts about the enduring victory of light, revelations of wisdom countering ignorance, and life defeating death in different symbolic forms could have reinforced the psychological resonance of marking such events on special days of the calendar for societies facing similar existential fears. By adopting the 25th December and solstice timings in particular, an intermingling of folkloric and cult worship motifs arguably connected atavistic needs. The allure of these shared mythical expressions enriching humanity’s core yearnings for guidance through periods of inner darkness is timeless.
Ultimately, regardless of the precise deity figure venerated, cycles of darkness and desperation enveloping humanity across the ages, fuelled the gravitation toward establishing defiant festivals of spiritual warmth and guiding lights on the pivotal solstice date of 25th December. Whether sparked by legends of compassion conquering evil or divine promises of renewed life emerging, shared hopes underpinned these commemorations. Untethered from crass commercialisation, these related festivals should direct modern societies less toward frenzied consumerism in the bleak midwinter. Rather their essence reminds us to kindle the gentle glow of compassion and faith in the year’s darkest days and mercantile agendas must not eclipse bringing light to humanity's persistent darkness. For commercial interests overwhelmingly dominate contemporary discourse, obscuring its layered histories. Refocusing celebrations on uplifting charity and togetherness remains vital.