Joseph Francis Kelly

The author is a professor of religious studies who traces the feast of the Nativity (the original name for the holiday) from its biblical origins of the first century, to the first observances of the actual feast in the third or fourth century, to its widespread observance in the Christian world in the sixth century. He explains its probable connections with the pagan feast of Saturnalia and the cult of Sol Invictus, its December 25th dating, the tradition of the three Wise Men and their supposed names, and much more. It is scholarly (but with no footnotes) and easy to read. There is an index and an extensive “further reading” list. Highly recommended.… (mehr)