The Roman Catholic Church formally fixed 25 December as the date of Christ’s birth, a decision later associated with Pope Julius I in the 4th century. While he did not issue a surviving decree that officially declared Christmas, early Christian tradition credits his papacy (AD 337–352) with affirming 25 December as the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, a date that would shape centuries of worship and Christian culture.

Today, believers around the world rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ, the true Light and Hope of Christmas.