Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 180:720 (Oct 2023)
Article: Pre–AD 196 Christmas Date? December 25 And The "Epistle Of Theophilus"
Author: Kurt M. Simmons

BSac 180:720 (October-December 2023) p. 412

Pre–AD 196 Christmas Date? December 25 And The Epistle Of Theophilus

Kurt M. Simmons

Kurt M. Simmons holds a juris doctorate, is a licensed attorney, and has served in ministry as a full-time pastor.

Abstract

The earliest reputed reference to the Christmas date occurs in the so-called Epistle of Theophilus. Although clearly not derived from Theophilus, the historical recitals in its prologue are recognized as accurate. The sole contested exception is the occurrence of the Christmas date, reportedly observed by the Gauls before AD 196. This article argues that there is no basis to reject this account, particularly in light of the occurrence of the Christmas date in Africanus and Hippolytus about thirty years later.

The Epistle of Theophilus, more properly known as the Council of Caesarea concerning the Pascha, or the Acta Synodi for short, purports to be an account of the Council of Caesarea about AD 196 to establish a uniform rule for the observance of the Christian Pascha (Passover), commonly known as “Easter.”1 The document exists in no less than thirty-six manuscripts and four recensions.2 The two main versions are Recension A (long version), published by Étienne Baluze in 1683, and Recension

BSac 180:720 (October-December 2023) p. 413

B (short version), published by Johannes Bronkhorst in 1537.3 Recension A contains a reference to the Christmas date when it credits the Gauls with saying, “But as we keep the nativity of the Lord on whatsoever day December 25 falls, we also ought to keep the Pascha March 25, when according to tradition the resurrection of Christ occurred.”4 This reference, if authentic, bears witness to the celebration of Christ’s birth on December 25 prior to AD 196, making it arguably the earliest witness we possess.5

The document in all of its versions is widely regarded as an Irish forgery, written in about AD 600 in defense of Irish customs regarding the proper limits for observing Easter, which were finally resolved by the Council of Whitby in 663.6 Recension A refers to Eusebius and therefore cannot, at least in that part, be earlier than the fourth century or purport to be from the hand of Theophilus. Recension B does not include a reference to Eusebius or the Christmas date; it is also the more widely attested. It is unclear which recension has the ...