December 25 may be the single most important date in Christendom, but according to some religious groups, Christmas and all its trappings have nothing to do with the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and has its origins in pagan rituals.

According to author of the book, Sacred origins of profound things: The story behind the rites and rituals of the world’s religions, Charles Panati, the exact date of Jesus’ birth was not known to his early followers.

“For two centuries after Christ’s birth, no one knew, and few people cared, exactly when he was born,” Panati states in his book.

Communications director at the West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Nigel Coke, agrees with Panati. Coke said Adventists do not celebrate Christmas.

“We do not think that Jesus was born on the 25th of December. If you visit our offices you will see that we are not putting up decorations or Christmas trees,” Coke said.

Co-ordinator of the Jamaica branch of the Watch Tower Bible Society of Pennsylvania, also known as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Luther Georges, also hit out at Christmas.

In a release sent to the Sunday Observer, Georges pointed out that early followers of Christ did not celebrate his birthday. The release said birthday celebrations are an ancient Greek custom.

“The only birthday observances mentioned in the Bible are those of two rulers who did not worship Jehovah. (Genesis 40:20, Mark 6:21). Birthday celebrations were held in honour of pagan deities,” the release said.

Georges contends that December 25 was decreed to be the date of Jesus’ birth by pagan Roman rulers in the fourth century. According to the detractors of the Yuletide season, the date was chosen to coincide with the celebration of the rebirth of the italic god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god.

In tribute to Saturn, the Romans held a 10-day festival known as saturnanlia where drunkenness, gift-giving, rape, incest and other forms of sexual deviance were the norm. There was also the practice of singing naked in the streets, which some religions believe is the precursor of carolling.

Georges claimed the merry-making and celebrations which accompany Christmas are pagan customs intertwined into Christianity.

“In winter, when the sun seemed weakest, pagans held ceremonies to get this source of warmth and light to come back from its distant travels,” Georges’ statement said. “December 25 was thought to be the day that the sun began its return. In an effort to convert pagans, religious leaders adopted this festival and tried to make it seem ‘Christian’.”

Christmas was seen as a heathen celebration and was banned in England and some American colonies in the 17th century, according to Georges.

For others, Christmas is one big hoax designed to suck money out of people’s pockets and make the coffers of big and small business interests fatter.

Luke chapter 2 tells the story of Jesus’ birth, but the opening verse reads, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be taxed”.

The detractors of Christmas say poor people of the world are taxed heavily during the silly season.

Rastafarian entertainer Tony Rebel agreed and sent out a warning to persons who may be tempted to indulge in a shopping binge.

“It’s more Christless than anything else,” he told the Sunday Observer. “There are no spiritual values, it’s mostly commercial and the people are always captivated and buy things that are not necessary and then in January yu light cut off. Is full time the people wise up.”

He said the story of Christmas prompted him to do an intense study of the Bible and other religious works.

“From a youth growing up I hear that man will live forever more because of Christmas Day and I read from Genesis to Revelation and I have never seen those words,” Rebel said.

Santa Claus and his flying reindeer have long been associated with Christmas and in many homes the tradition of hanging stockings for presents from the fat man who slithers down the chimney with a bag of goodies for the children remains.

Paul Walcott is a 45-year-old father of three. In his view, Santa Claus is a European myth who has no place in Jamaican culture.

“Why should I tell my children that Santa will bring presents if they behave well, when is daddy buying them?” he asks while shopping with his family in the Mall Plaza. “I tell them that Santa is foolishness, even though I buy them stuff.”

walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com