why is christmas considered a pagan holiday

Christmas is often associated with pagan traditions due to its origins in the ancient celebration of the winter solstice. This holiday was originally observed by many ancient cultures as a way to celebrate the return of the sun and the beginning of the agricultural season. Over time, the holiday became associated with the birth of Jesus Christ and became known as Christmas. However, many of the traditional customs associated with Christmas, such as decorating trees, lighting candles, and exchanging gifts, have their roots in pre-Christian traditions.