how is christmas pagan

Christmas is often referred to as a pagan holiday due to its origins in the pre-Christian era. The date of December 25th was originally chosen by early Christians to replace an ancient pagan celebration known as the Saturnalia, which was a festival honoring the god Saturn. The ancient pagan rituals and customs that were once associated with the Saturnalia, such as the exchange of gifts and the consumption of festive foods, were later incorporated into the Christian celebration of Christmas.