Comments on: Abdu’l-Baha’s First Christmas

By: Ashiyan Ian Rahmani

Ashiyan Ian Rahmani — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 04:25:07 +0000

Maybe a slightly technical question – but did Abdulbaha have a translator to translate the play as he was watching it? Thanks

By: Charles Boyle

Charles Boyle — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 22:44:45 +0000

The traditional story of shepherds watching their flocks by night and lambs scampering suggest more likely a spring date for the birth of Jesus, rather than “In the deep mid-winter”.

By: Rochan Mavaddat

Rochan Mavaddat — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 14:37:24 +0000

Before the birth of Christianity, one of the mythological religions which had spread in the Roman Empire was Mithraism, Mithras being an important Persian divinity.
In the Persian Calendar, the birth of Mithras was celebrated on the winter solstice, that is, on 21 December.
In the year 284, the Roman Emperor chose Mithraism as the official religion of the Empire. It was then that Mithras was named “Sol Invictus Mithras”.
It was with Emperor Constantine, in the year 336, that Christianity was recognized as the official religion of the Roman Empire. The date of birth of Christ being unknown, the date of a feast already celebrated by the people (the birth of Mithras), around December 21, was chosen.

By: Rochan Mavaddat

Rochan Mavaddat — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 14:05:53 +0000

If, at the beginning of Christianity, the Christians chose to celebrate the 25 December as the date of birth of Jesus, it is because this date, the Southern winter Solstice, was roughly the date of the birthday of Mithra, an important Persian divinity, Mithraism being very widespread in all the Roman Empire.

By: rodney Richards

rodney Richards — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 10:39:38 +0000

There may be more explanations but appreciated this one by Sextus Julius of the age of the world and Jesus’ birth date. A recent survey printed in our local newspaper wrote that 92% of Americans celebrate Christmas, 52% for religious reasons, 40% for secular ones. Whatever the reason, Christ has had a big impact here in America (and elsewhere).

By: Mark David Vinzens

Mark David Vinzens — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 19:20:38 +0000

Christmas is the sign and symbol of universal love. Christmas isn’t just for Christians. Christmas is God’s embrace of all humanity. The Birth of Christ within us is the deeper meaning. „Were Christ born a thousand times in Bethlehem, and not in thee, thou art lost eternally“, said Angelus Silesius. Wherever there is love, there is Christmas.

By: Glarih Morgan

Glarih Morgan — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 13:50:58 +0000

Thank you for these inspiring articles!? I truly enjoy reading them. One subtle clarification though is that AbdulBaha lived 40 years in Palestine (the birthplace of Jesus with a huge Christian population then and now). I’m sure this was not his first Christmas:) Christianity is a middle eastern religion and Christmas too.

By: Sarmad Garmroud

Sarmad Garmroud — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 03:59:33 +0000

I LOVE this story! Thank you! <3

By: Jean-Marie Nau

Jean-Marie Nau — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 16:08:40 +0000

In reply to Jean-Marie Nau.

It seeems to have been on 21 or 22 dec 1912: https://bahai-library.com/location/Westminster

By: Jean-Marie Nau

Jean-Marie Nau — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 15:52:23 +0000

How inspiring that Abdu’l-Baha should have assisted in 1911 at a performance of ‘Eager Heart’, a Christmas mystery play at the Church House, Westminster. Would he have heard the melody from the carol, now known as ‘God rest ye merry gentlemen’, found at the beginning of the play, but certainly not this version: https://youtu.be/ku7ohU1IGls, maybe more like this: https://youtu.be/FlfHyb397VY
Let’s see if we can find out more about this event.