Christian, but don't believe in Christmas

[Velvetee]

I was out to dinner with my partner and his employees last night, the majority of whom are Brazilian. I was speaking to one of the wives, who said she was Christian, but didn't celebrate Christmas, as they don't believe Christ was born on Christmas day.

She said they celebrate New Year, where they do the things people would normally do at Christmas.

Does anyone know what kind of Christianity they practice, that doesn't celebrate Christmas?

[Lonnie]

As far as I am aware, to be a Christian, you have to believe in both the Virgin Birth, and the Resurrection. the date of when Jesus was born is actually of no consequence, so you can be a Christian, and not celebrate Christmas, you can celebrate/give thanks for Jesus birth anytime you want.

[jno]

I think you have to believe Jesus was the son of God, though I'm not sure the virgin birth is essential to Christianity. But you don't have to believe he was born on December 25; the queen wasn't born on Queen's Birthday, after all. (Dec 25 is an old midwinter fefstival that was around long before Jesus was).

Also, I think a lot of Chrstianity in Brazil comes mingled with old animist beliefs.

[naomi24]

Many Roman Catholic countries celebrate Christmas on 6 January, and the Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate on 7 January.

http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/coptic_cale ndar/nativitydate.html