what date was christmas first celebrated

The origins of Christmas are deeply rooted in the ancient pagan holiday of Saturnalia, which was celebrated around the winter solstice. The Christian church later adopted the holiday, combining elements of both pagan and Christian traditions to create a unique celebration that would come to be known as Christmas. The exact date of the first Christmas celebration is difficult to pinpoint, as it has evolved over the centuries. However, it is generally accepted that the first official celebration of Christmas took place in the 4th century in Rome.