Christian Origins of Christmas Around 220 AD, the theologian
Tertullian declared that Jesus died on March 25, 29, but was
resurrected three days later. Although this is not a plausible
date for the crucifixion, it does suggest that March 25, nine
months before December 25th, had significance for the church
even before it was used as a basis to calculate Christmas.
Modern scholars favor a crucifixion date of April 3, 33, which
was also the date of a partial lunar eclipse (These are Julian
calendar dates. Subtract two days for a Gregorian date.). By 240
AD, a list of significant events was being assigned to March 25,
partly because it was believed to be the date of the vernal
equinox. These events include creation, The Fall of Adam and
Eve, and, most relevantly, the Incarnation. The view that the
Incarnation occurred on the same date as crucifixion is
consistent with a Jewish belief that prophets died at an
"integral age," either an anniversary of their birth or of their
conception. The idea that December 25 is