The date also corresponds to a theological calculation based on March 25, which was believed by some early Christians to be the date of both the creation of the world and the conception of Jesus. According to this reasoning, Jesus was conceived on March 25 and born nine months later on December 25. This symbolic alignment linked the Incarnation—the moment when God became human—with cosmic order and divine purpose.
Solar imagery plays a significant role in Christian interpretations of Jesus’s birth. Church fathers such as Augustine argued that Christ was born on the shortest day of the year so that, as the days grew longer, the light would increase, symbolizing spiritual illumination. Biblical passages reinforced this imagery: the prophet Malachi spoke of the “Sun of Righteousness” rising with healing in its wings, while the Gospel of John described Jesus as “the light of the world.” Such symbolism allowed Christians to integrate pre-existing solar motifs into a distinctly Christian framework.
Over time, Christmas developed a rich set of rituals and customs. Decorating evergreen trees, a practice rooted in pre-Christian traditions, became popular in Germany and later spread across Europe and North America. Evergreens symbolized life and endurance during winter, making them a fitting emblem for the Nativity. The exchange of gifts, inspired partly by the gifts of the Magi, became a central feature of Christmas celebrations, especially in the modern era.
