>>>>No, that's not the time I'm speaking of. This would be before the Roman Emperor (Constantine I??) converted to Christianity. Prior to that, Christians were persecuted by the Romans and had to hide their faith. This is why Christmas is when it is.
>>>>
>>>And 1st century Christians were persecuted by the Judeans before that much as Jesus was. Hence one reason for churches in the home. (Still not a bad idea)
>>>Constantine was when? 300 AD? Christianity as the first century church knew it had curmbled even by the end of Paul's life as documented in 2 Timothy "all have left me except.." I'm unsure of what happened from like 60 AD to Constantine but I dont' know of any documentation of Christians hiding behind the pagan celebration. Where do I find that?
>>
>>I'm working strictly from recollection, John, so I don't have documentation. If I had to guess, I'd say I probably heard it from an Episcopal priest. I have several frieds who are priests. I'll have to ask one of them. I'll post back when I find out.
>
>Hey George will you also ask him if that's when the fish symbol came about? I heard that was a secret symbol symobilizing one's belief in Christ for much the same reason as you talk about Dec 25th.
>BTW, my grandparents on my mom's side were Episcopalians and when my mom became Catholic after marrying my dad I don't think my grandma ever forgave him for that. Heh.

John,

I asked this of my friend The Rev. Louis Tonsmeire, Vicar, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Calhoun, GA yesterday. You are correct that Christmas was an attempt to co-opt the pagan feast of the winter soltise. The idea was evangelical in nature.< g >