was christmas a pagan holiday first

Christmas is a holiday that has a long and complex history, and it is true that some aspects of the holiday have their roots in pagan traditions. The winter solstice, which falls around December 21st, was a significant time for many ancient cultures, and it was often celebrated with feasting and gift-giving. The early Christians, when they started celebrating Christmas, incorporated many of these pagan traditions into their own celebrations. So in a sense, Christmas has its roots in pagan traditions.