Question about easter and xmas

LegacyUser

firstly id like to say im a non-practicing catholic so excuse my ignorance. but maybe someone here can shed light on this question. how can good friday, the day of jesus's death, be celebrated on a different date each year and yet christmas, the day he was born, be celebrated on the same date each year??

i know that easter is calculated by the cycles of the moon, but it seems a bit hypocritical to me that one day changes each year and the other stays the same. whats going on?

Fallen Seraph

Well I don't think that any serious historian/bibical scholar actually thinks that Jesus was born on the 25th of December. It's just a day to celebrate the fact that he was, as is my understanding.

So the accuracy is a bit spurious from the beginning.

Dacelonid

From what I remember in school, December 25th was chosen as Christmas because there was another Pagan festival on that date and in order to make it easier to convert the pagans, they said "Oh Jesus was born on the 25th, isn't that a happy coincidence. Now you can be Christians and still have your same festivals as before"

The only reason I remember this is because it was this statement by our religion teacher that turned me away from Christianity.

As for Good Friday, I assume it was something similar.

Run_to_da_hills

It was not until A.D. 350, that December 25 was declared the official date for celebrating Christmas by Pope Julius I and it passed down as a tradition to this day. There is no mention of this date in the Bible although there is an indication that it was not in winter time.

When Jesus was born "there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8). This never could have occurred in Palestine in the month of December. The shepherds always brought their flocks from the mountainsides and fields and corralled them not later than October to protect them from the cold, rainy season that followed that date.

There is NOTHING in the Bible which commands us to celebrate any Christian holidays such as "Christmas" or "Easter" in the New Testament. However we are COMMANDED in the Bible to recognize the Lord's death upon the cross. This is done when we are gathered together for the Lord's supper at church. We break the bread and take the wine in memorance of Jesus' body which was crucified upon the cross and His blood which was shed to cleanse our sins away.

JimiTime

Spogpean wrote: »

firstly id like to say im a non-practicing catholic so excuse my ignorance. but maybe someone here can shed light on this question. how can good friday, the day of jesus's death, be celebrated on a different date each year and yet christmas, the day he was born, be celebrated on the same date each year??

i know that easter is calculated by the cycles of the moon, but it seems a bit hypocritical to me that one day changes each year and the other stays the same. whats going on?

Well TBH, look at X-mas. Look at all the traditions. Decorating a fir tree, mistletow, exchanging gifts etc. all of them are taken from Pagan tradition. There is very little Christianity in Christmas. As a Christian myself, I never celebrate it. Jsus never told us to. There is no indication that the apostles did, or any of the biblical Christians.

The 'Easter' originally comes from Ancient Egypt. The worship of Astarte, the Phoenician name for Egypt's goddess of fertility, in time spread throughout Europe. "Ostara" became the Old English word for this now Anglo-Saxon goddess. During the 2nd century, early 'Christians' attempting to convert pagan worshippers called their Christian celebration "Ostara" which later became "Easter." All the eggs are symbols of fertility. The bunny, known for its ehh, multiplying rate is also a fertility symbol. So TBH, I find this actually blaphemous myself.

If you see the date being accurate as important, and want to celebrate the sacrifice of our Lord on the actual anniversary of it, then go by the Jewish calender. The last supper occurred on Passover which was Nisan 14. The Jewish day starts at sundown, and falls on different days in the Roman caleder each year. Just check online as to when Nisan 14 falls if you wish.

BrianCalgary

Personally I don't have a problem witheither date. Christmas is a celebration of God being with us.

A celebration of who Christ is. It doesn't matter when it is celebrated just what is the focus of the event. In our house Christ is that focus. We have a birthday cake, we exchange gifts as is done at any birthday party and we emphasize the greatest gift of all: God with us.

As for Easter it is the same thing. Jimitime states it well as being Nisan 14, the passover. Again the timing isn't important but the event that is being observed.

We all give up something for the 40 days leading up to Easter as a recognition of Christ's 40 days in the desert. It is tough giving up some things for those 40 days and feel a wee bit in Christ's shoes who gave up all nourishment for that time.

The chocolate eggs allow us to break that fast and to celebrate Christ's resurrection and His victory over death. It is also an opportunity to refelct on what God gave up in leaving Heaven to come to Earth and take on the form of mankind and to be subjected to sin and pain.

Botoom line: the dates don't matter, the focus of the celebration does.

Dave!

It doesn't really matter what the date is, does it? They're just arbitrary dates set to celebrate the birth and death of Jesus.

robindch

Spogpean wrote:

i know that easter is calculated by the cycles of the moon, but it seems a bit hypocritical to me that one day changes each year and the other stays the same. whats going on?

There's nothing inherently hypocritical about any church declaring a festival, or festivals, just as they want to -- the dates are arbitrary and what's important from the religious point of view is what people believe the festivals are. That's what religions are all about: belief! In any case, as others have pointed out, to a greater or lesser extent, the Roman Empire simply rededicated all the pre-existing major secular and religious festivals as christian ones, and so they remain.

What is hypocritical is for religious people to claim that they're the only ones who understand the "real meaning of christmas" or whatever and call foul on everybody else. While forgetting the earlier histories of the various festivals which have, at least, just as much a claim to be the "real meaning".

With only eight weeks to go to christmas/Saturnalia, it shouldn't be long before the letters' page will be filled with anxious writers bemoaning that everybody else is forgetting the "reason for the season"(tm)!

Fanny Cradock

BrianCalgary wrote: »

Christmas is a celebration of God being with us.

Ah, but can the same be said of X-mas?

JimiTime

BrianCalgary wrote: »

Personally I don't have a problem witheither date. Christmas is a celebration of God being with us.

A celebration of who Christ is. It doesn't matter when it is celebrated just what is the focus of the event. In our house Christ is that focus. We have a birthday cake, we exchange gifts as is done at any birthday party and we emphasize the greatest gift of all: God with us.

As for Easter it is the same thing. Jimitime states it well as being Nisan 14, the passover. Again the timing isn't important but the event that is being observed.

We all give up something for the 40 days leading up to Easter as a recognition of Christ's 40 days in the desert. It is tough giving up some things for those 40 days and feel a wee bit in Christ's shoes who gave up all nourishment for that time.

The chocolate eggs allow us to break that fast and to celebrate Christ's resurrection and His victory over death. It is also an opportunity to refelct on what God gave up in leaving Heaven to come to Earth and take on the form of mankind and to be subjected to sin and pain.

Botoom line: the dates don't matter, the focus of the celebration does.

Have to be honest. I've heard the arguements for these festivals. the incorporation of the Pagan Gods into Christian festivals etc. Got to say, I just can't in good concience agree with that reasoning. If decorating the fir tree on a certain date was an 'ode to satan', and you converted these satan worshippers. Would you see it as appropriate to just say, 'Itell you what, keep doing it, just rebrand it as the birth of Jesus'? I feel wholly uncomfortable with it. Your thoughts?

JimiTime

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

There is NOTHING in the Bible which commands us to celebrate any Christian holidays such as "Christmas" or "Easter" in the New Testament. However we are COMMANDED in the Bible to recognize the Lord's death upon the cross. This is done when we are gathered together for the Lord's supper at church. We break the bread and take the wine in memorance of Jesus' body which was crucified upon the cross and His blood which was shed to cleanse our sins away.

So, do you have any issue with these been celebrated as 'christian' feasts? Do you think the whole arguement of, 'if they are rebranded Christian, then they are ok', to be a valid arguement?

Dave!

JimiTime wrote: »

So, do you have any issue with these been celebrated as 'christian' feasts? Do you think the whole arguement of, 'if they are rebranded Christian, then they are ok', to be a valid arguement?

What's wrong with a specific day celebrating the birth, and another celebrating the death, of Jesus (which I presume you would consider important events) -- in theory anyway?

I'm sure most devout Christians would have trouble with the commercialisation of those holidays, and would say that people have forgotten the point, but you seem to be arguing that because it's not explicitly stated in the Bible, and because they're celebrated on the same day as historically pagan holidays, that there should be no days set aside for them.

I'm sure a good Christian should remember these events every day anyway, but we're all imperfect (sinners!!!), so a specific day set aside with no work, and with nothing but good will in the air, to celebrate Jesus's birth and death, is surely not a bad thing.

Or is it?

JimiTime

DaveMcG wrote: »

What's wrong with a specific day celebrating the birth, and another celebrating the death, of Jesus (which I presume you would consider important events) -- in theory anyway?

Firstly, we were actually commanded to remember the sacrifice of Christ 'Do this in rememberance of me'. And know that the date was Nisan 14. So Indeed it is important that we remember this. However mixing it and IMO seriously corrupting it with the rituals of the pagan godess of fertility (easter) is not right.
We were not informed of his birth date. There is no reference to either Christ, or his folowers celebrating his birthday. In fact, even the celebrating of birthdays has pagan conotations, so it is highly unlikely Jesus would have indulged in such festivities. The only two birthday references in the bible are by 2 pagan kings. One in Egypt and the other being Herod. Add to that the fact that 'everything' about X-mas is Pagan ritual and it becomes even harder to understand why a christian does not feel even uneasy about it IMO.

I'm sure most devout Christians would have trouble with the commercialisation of those holidays, and would say that people have forgotten the point, but you seem to be arguing that because it's not explicitly stated in the Bible, and because they're celebrated on the same day as historically pagan holidays, that there should be no days set aside for them.

Firstly, as I said above 'them' is not true. the sacrifice of Christ is explicitally stated in the Gospels, with the command to remember it. Mixing it with the rituals of a false god (easter) is my gripe with that particular scenario.
X-mas on the other hand is completely Pagan. There is not one 'christian' ritual in all of its celebration. All of its ritual is pagan ritual, so i can't in good concience take part in this ritual. A Christian remember Jesus every day of their life. Every day in prayer. There is 'no doubt' whatsoever, that x-mas is very spurious.

I'm sure a good Christian should remember these events every day anyway, but we're all imperfect (sinners!!!), so a specific day set aside with no work, and with nothing but good will in the air, to celebrate Jesus's birth and death, is surely not a bad thing.

As I said, if God wanted us to celebrate the birth of Christ, he a)would have indicated the date it was and b) told us to. The apostles never did it and neither did Jesus. Combine this fact with the fact that all of its ritual is pagan, and you get a celebration thats far removed from Jesus Christ.

Run_to_da_hills

I believe the Lord hates Christmas because His name is blotted out and substituted with an X, while the merchants make billions in the month of December exploiting this heathen festival. The world has created a grand illusion during the Christmas holiday that has caused MANY people to commit suicide, It is also the peek for alcohol consumption, drink related road traffic accidents and credit card debt. The euphoria of the Christmas Season is solely created by the retailers to make a killing, the airwaves are filled with Christmas music throughout December, generating a synthetic atmosphere of cheer and happiness, while the world continues to plunder into the depths of Hell without Christ.

JACK BE NIMBLE

Google Satan Claus, may back up some of the proposed theories here

kelly1

BrianCalgary wrote: »

Personally I don't have a problem witheither date. Christmas is a celebration of God being with us.

A celebration of who Christ is. It doesn't matter when it is celebrated just what is the focus of the event. In our house Christ is that focus. We have a birthday cake, we exchange gifts as is done at any birthday party and we emphasize the greatest gift of all: God with us.

As for Easter it is the same thing. Jimitime states it well as being Nisan 14, the passover. Again the timing isn't important but the event that is being observed.

We all give up something for the 40 days leading up to Easter as a recognition of Christ's 40 days in the desert. It is tough giving up some things for those 40 days and feel a wee bit in Christ's shoes who gave up all nourishment for that time.

The chocolate eggs allow us to break that fast and to celebrate Christ's resurrection and His victory over death. It is also an opportunity to refelct on what God gave up in leaving Heaven to come to Earth and take on the form of mankind and to be subjected to sin and pain.

Botoom line: the dates don't matter, the focus of the celebration does.

Top notch BC!

JimiTime

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

I believe the Lord hates Christmas because His name is blotted out and substituted with an X, while the merchants make billions in the month of December exploiting this heathen festival. The world has created a grand illusion during the Christmas holiday that has caused MANY people to commit suicide, It is also the peek for alcohol consumption, drink related road traffic accidents and credit card debt. The euphoria of the Christmas Season is solely created by the retailers to make a killing, the airwaves are filled with Christmas music throughout December, generating a synthetic atmosphere of cheer and happiness, while the world continues to plunder into the depths of Hell without Christ.

Indeed. However, forgetting the greed etc associated with it. What about all the ritual surrounding it? You suggested that the Lord hates his name being substituted with X. i would suggest that his name should never have been there in the first place, you see what I'm saying?

kelly1

People, steady on there! Beware the enemy who is trying to divide us:

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said: Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he stood not in the truth; because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.

John 6:20 But he saith to them: It is I; be not afraid.

Have no fear! Christ is the light of the world!

God bless us all!
Noel.

Run_to_da_hills

JimiTime wrote: »

Indeed. However, forgetting the greed etc associated with it. What about all the ritual surrounding it? You suggested that the Lord hates his name being substituted with X. i would suggest that his name should never have been there in the first place, you see what I'm saying?

I would be quite blunt about it. Christmas has absolutly nothing got to do with god. It is now turned into the Devils festival for the heathen. I already see the decorations being erected in Dunlaoghaire Shopping centre.

A child who is taught about Santa while growing up, one day comes to the shocking revelation that it was all a big LIE. This sets a disturbing precedent in the child's mind. If a child was effectively brainwashed for an entire childhood concerning the lie of Santa what should he think about his real saviour Jesus Christ?, then why should they accept Christianity either?

There is a striking parallel between Santa and Jesus, the Devil has successfully replaced the Lord with Santa in many homes. Santa is said to watch everything we do, that makes Santa deity (God). Only God is omnipresent and omniscient. Santa delivers gifts to every child in the world in one night. Again, only God could do such a miracle. Only God is omnipotent. Truthfully, God does give gifts to every person, every day, in every place it's called "the Gift of life". Acts 17:25 declares that Jesus keeps us breathing and living. Jesus is Almighty God! Santa is an imposter a fake and the work of the Devil.!

JimiTime

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

I would be quite blunt about it. Christmas has absolutly nothing got to do with god.

Ok, I'm with you here.

It is now turned into the Devils festival for the heathen.

What has it turned from? i don't think you are getting what I'm actually saying. My point is that it has always been pagan. It was turned 'from pagan' into a pseudo-christian festival. All the ritual etc has nothing to do with Christ. Christ didn't ask us to do it. the Apostles never did it, or the early congregations. However, pre Christian Pagans did.

A child who is taught about Santa while growing up, one day comes to the shocking revelation that it was all a big LIE.

I don't know if its a shocking revelation, but its certainly a lie, and i would agree that no precedent can be made for lies.

This sets a disturbing precedent in the child's mind. If a child was effectively brainwashed for an entire childhood concerning the lie of Santa what should he think about his real saviour Jesus Christ?, then why should they accept Christianity either?

interesting point, but I'm sure there are plenty who believed in Santa claus and still believe in Jesus now so personally, i would not argue such a point.

There is a striking parallel between Santa and Jesus, the Devil has successfully replaced the Lord with Santa in many homes. Santa is said to watch everything we do, that makes Santa deity (God). Only God is omnipresent and omniscient. Santa delivers gifts to every child in the world in one night. Again, only God could do such a miracle. Only God is omnipotent. Truthfully, God does give gifts to every person, every day, in every place it's called "the Gift of life". Acts 17:25 declares that Jesus keeps us breathing and living. Jesus is Almighty God! Santa is an imposter a fake and the work of the Devil.!

As I said before, Christ should not have been there in the first place. placing his name amongst the rituals of false Gods is the problem.

JimiTime

kelly1 wrote: »

People, steady on there! Beware the enemy who is trying to divide us:

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said: Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he stood not in the truth; because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.

John 6:20 But he saith to them: It is I; be not afraid.

Have no fear! Christ is the light of the world!

God bless us all!
Noel.

Care to elaborate? Are you saying that because I cannot concienciously indulge in the ritual of pagan gods that somehow the devil has decieved 'me'?

BrianCalgary

JimiTime wrote: »

Have to be honest. I've heard the arguements for these festivals. the incorporation of the Pagan Gods into Christian festivals etc. Got to say, I just can't in good concience agree with that reasoning. If decorating the fir tree on a certain date was an 'ode to satan', and you converted these satan worshippers. Would you see it as appropriate to just say, 'Itell you what, keep doing it, just rebrand it as the birth of Jesus'? I feel wholly uncomfortable with it. Your thoughts?

I can see where you would have discomfort with the trappings but why have discomfort in a celebration of the birth of Christ?

No need to answer, as I see you already have.

BrianCalgary

Re: RTDH and Santa Claus.

I have three teenage kids. All Christian, all had Santa Claus come, all found out at some point that it was just Mom and dad. Santa still comes to our house and we have great joy in that as Santa represent a person who does nothing but give and is an inspiration to give.

The ultimate of giving: our life for Christ.

The joy of Christmas (BTW jimitime it is short for Christ Mass, which was a special Lords Supper recognised as a celebration of His birth so Christ before Mass is appropraite) is a day set aside where family comes from around the world to celebrate the birth of the saviour.

Great Christmas hymns that celebrate the miraculous events surrounding His birth.

All of which brings one to the point of wanting to bend one's knee in worship of the Imanuel.

JimiTime

BrianCalgary wrote: »

Re: RTDH and Santa Claus.

I have three teenage kids. All Christian, all had Santa Claus come, all found out at some point that it was just Mom and dad. Santa still comes to our house and we have great joy in that as Santa represent a person who does nothing but give and is an inspiration to give.

The ultimate of giving: our life for Christ.

The joy of Christmas (BTW jimitime it is short for Christ Mass, which was a special Lords Supper recognised as a celebration of His birth so Christ before Mass is appropraite) is a day set aside where family comes from around the world to celebrate the birth of the saviour.

Great Christmas hymns that celebrate the miraculous events surrounding His birth.

All of which brings one to the point of wanting to bend one's knee in worship of the Imanuel.

Do you decorate a fir tree? do you have mistletow and do you exchange gifts? Do you do these things on Saturnalia? If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, guess what? its likely a duck! I don't need clarification on where Christ Mass came from. i didn't just wake up one day and say, 'you know what, i don't like christmas or easter or halloween'. I have educated myself about these festivities, so I do not enter into my disapproval of them lightly. My point is, partaking in rituals, designed to glorify false gods is not christian. As I said, Meeshack Shadrach and Abendigo had the integrity to fly in the face of their jailors and not put any spin etc on taking part in a ritual designed for babylons false gods. They put no spin on it, they didn't just make it easy on themselves, they said, 'no we will not partake in your pagan ritual'. Using your logic, they could have just bowed down, but in their heads be bowing before Yahweh. They didn't, they had the respect, bravery and integrity to say, No! And refrained from partaking in this pagan ritual. The mind boggles

BrianCalgary

JimiTime wrote: »

Do you decorate a fir tree? do you have mistletow and do you exchange gifts? Do you do these things on Saturnalia? If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, guess what? its likely a duck! I don't need clarification on where Christ Mass came from. i didn't just wake up one day and say, 'you know what, i don't like christmas or easter or halloween'. I have educated myself about these festivities, so I do not enter into my disapproval of them lightly. My point is, partaking in rituals, designed to glorify false gods is not christian. As I said, Meeshack Shadrach and Abendigo had the integrity to fly in the face of their jailors and not put any spin etc on taking part in a ritual designed for babylons false gods. They put no spin on it, they didn't just make it easy on themselves, they said, 'no we will not partake in your pagan ritual'. Using your logic, they could have just bowed down, but in their heads be bowing before Yahweh. They didn't, they had the respect, bravery and integrity to say, No! And refrained from partaking in this pagan ritual. The mind boggles

The difference is Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego were asked to bow down and worship a false god.

At Christmas, I am in no way bowing down to a false god. Christ is the centre of our Christmas celebration. We exchange gifts, we don't go into debt about it. We go to church and celebrate His birth with other Christians. We sing hymns glorifyin God and His coming to earth.

We spend time with our families and having a respite from the worries of the world and focus on the eternity that comes from Christ alone.

I agree, if it walks, quacks, swims and flies like a duck, it is probably a duck.

The top of the tree is decorated with an angel. Everytime I look at it I think about how the shepherds felt on lloking up and hearing the hevenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

When I look at the nativity I am reminded of the miraculous virgin birth of our saviour and how only God could be responsible.

I see prophecy fulfilled in Imannuel.

Evrything around Christmas is so Christ centred that I had never even heard of saturnalia until well into my teens.

So if nothing but Christ is spoken of at Christmas, how in heavens name could it be pagan?

Run_to_da_hills

BrianCalgary wrote: »

The difference is Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego were asked to bow down and worship a false god.

At Christmas, I am in no way bowing down to a false god. Christ is the centre of our Christmas celebration. We exchange gifts, we don't go into debt about it. We go to church and celebrate His birth with other Christians. We sing hymns glorifyin God and His coming to earth.

We spend time with our families and having a respite from the worries of the world and focus on the eternity that comes from Christ alone.

I agree, if it walks, quacks, swims and flies like a duck, it is probably a duck.

The top of the tree is decorated with an angel. Everytime I look at it I think about how the shepherds felt on lloking up and hearing the hevenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

When I look at the nativity I am reminded of the miraculous virgin birth of our saviour and how only God could be responsible.

I see prophecy fulfilled in Imannuel.

Evrything around Christmas is so Christ centred that I had never even heard of saturnalia until well into my teens.

So if nothing but Christ is spoken of at Christmas, how in heavens name could it be pagan?

The decorated tree in your house is not of Christian origin.

"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain, for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." Jeremiah 10:2-4:

JimiTime

BrianCalgary wrote: »

The difference is Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego were asked to bow down and worship a false god.

At Christmas, I am in no way bowing down to a false god. Christ is the centre of our Christmas celebration. We exchange gifts, we don't go into debt about it. We go to church and celebrate His birth with other Christians. We sing hymns glorifyin God and His coming to earth.

We spend time with our families and having a respite from the worries of the world and focus on the eternity that comes from Christ alone.

I agree, if it walks, quacks, swims and flies like a duck, it is probably a duck.

The top of the tree is decorated with an angel. Everytime I look at it I think about how the shepherds felt on lloking up and hearing the hevenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

When I look at the nativity I am reminded of the miraculous virgin birth of our saviour and how only God could be responsible.

I see prophecy fulfilled in Imannuel.

Evrything around Christmas is so Christ centred that I had never even heard of saturnalia until well into my teens.

So if nothing but Christ is spoken of at Christmas, how in heavens name could it be pagan?

fair enough. i suppose I've drawn my conclusions, you've drawn yours. We both added up the info and have different views. most can reconsile their Christianity to these things, I can't, and find it very wrong.

BrianCalgary

JimiTime wrote: »

fair enough. i suppose I've drawn my conclusions, you've drawn yours. We both added up the info and have different views. most can reconsile their Christianity to these things, I can't, and find it very wrong.

Agreed.

BrianCalgary

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

The decorated tree in your house is not of Christian origin.

No it's not, neither is my TV. There is a lot in my house that is not of Christian origin.

When you live in a winter as it exists in Canada with it's plethora of evergreen's do you not think it possible to decorate one in honour of Jesus Christ and in celebration of his coming?

Biro

To answer the OP's question, Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox. There was a different calendar back then, so it's actually an accurate reflection of the time relative to todays calendar, despite the moving time.
Christmas isn't exactly known, so it was necessary to just pin down a date for it. Like many older people that I know who don't know when their birthday is, they just have a best guess and use that date. Makes no difference.