A claim by lyricist Javed Akhtar has started a discussion on Christmas. Every year on 25 December, Christmas, the main festival of Christians, is celebrated all over the world. It is celebrated every year as the birthday of Jesus Christ. But now the question is whether Jesus Christ was really born on 25 December?
Lallantop had held a debate on ‘Existence of God’ in the Constitutional Club of Delhi. Lyricist Javed Akhtar and Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadvi were the main speakers.
This was an academic level discussion. Meanwhile, the question related to the date of birth of Jesus Christ was raised and Javed Akhtar, who calls himself an atheist, ruined it with his argument. He also said that questions are often raised regarding the birthday of Jesus Christ on 25th December.
What is the whole matter?
There was a heated argument going on between Javed Akhtar and the Maulvi. Then a person asked a question to Javed Akhtar. He said that people who believe in God have their own festivals. In which people belonging to the society come together, like Diwali, Eid and Christmas. During this time, people forget their grudges and come together and celebrate. But if people want to come to the atheist’s side, what will they find there?
The person questioned whether atheists have such festivals or social functions. The person also said that he wants to become an atheist, but without festivals he does not see any special attraction.
Javed Akhtar narrated a historical story related to the Roman Empire
In response to this, lyricist Javed Akhtar gave a historical argument related to Christmas. He said that there is a historical incident. Historians are also present here. Can confirm if needed. Lyricist Javed Akhtar narrated the story of Roman King Constantine. He told that there was a Roman king. His name was Constantine. It had been 400 years since Christianity arrived. He decided that he would convert to Christianity. Those were the times when when the king adopted a religion, the entire people had to follow the same religion. The king’s reason for adopting Christianity was that he was bankrupt. His financial condition was bad. He needed money from rich Christian traders in the Mediterranean area. He decided to adopt Christianity.
The king asked his minister whether his kingdom would adopt Christianity? The minister said that there was no problem of any kind. But he said there was a problem. He told that there is a Pagan festival from 17th December to 25th December. People enjoy it. Especially children wait for it eagerly. 25th December is the biggest day. If we become Christians the festival will stop. People will feel bad, especially children.
On this the king said that it is correct. Then he asked the date of birth of Jesus Christ. The answer was that he was born in April. The king immediately said that this would not happen again. His birth will be celebrated on 25th December only. Javed Akhtar put forward this argument with certainty.
No clear opinion about the birth of Jesus Christ
The date of birth of Jesus Christ is not fixed. Many historians consider his birth to be between March-April. Also, December 25 is a date associated with an old festival of the Roman Empire. At that time, festivals were celebrated to worship the Sun as a deity.
The festival of Christmas was celebrated for the first time in 336 AD. This festival was celebrated for the first time during the reign of Constantine. This was done to celebrate the old festival Pagan in a better way. Before this, the Roman Empire had celebrated the birthday of Jesus Christ on January 6 for a long time. Christmas became the biggest festival of Christians in the 9th century.
What is written in the Roman calendar and the Bible?
The first mention of December 25 is found in a Roman calendar during the fourth century. That means this date was fixed 100 years after his birth. The date of birth of Jesus Christ is not fixed in the Bible. It is said that the shepherds were in the field with their herds. This definitely points towards the time of spring. At the same time lambs are born. Therefore scholars believe that Jesus Christ must have been born in spring.
