what pagan holiday was christmas

Christmas, or Christmas Day, is a holiday celebrated by Christians around the world, and it is derived from the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It was initially established in the early fourth century AD, as a commemoration of Jesus' birth, which is traditionally celebrated on December 25th. Christmas has since evolved into a secular holiday, with many cultures celebrating it with a mixture of religious and cultural customs. The pagan roots of Christmas can be traced back to various festivals and celebrations that existed before Christianity, such as the Roman Saturnalia, the Norse Yule, and the Germanic Winter Solstice.