Abstract
Jozef Naumowicz’s The Origin of the Feast of the Nativity in the Patristic offers a deeply researched and methodologically rigorous exploration of the early Christian celebrations of the Nativity (Christmas) and Epiphany. This study is part of the “European Studies in Theology, Philosophy and History of Religions” series, and it provides readers with an understanding of when, where, and why these important Christian feasts were introduced into the Church’s liturgical calendar. Given the scarcity of primary sources from the early centuries of Christianity, Naumowicz navigates through a labyrinth of indirect evidence, diverse hypotheses, and scholarly debates to present an informed reconstruction of the origins of these celebrations.
The book opens by identifying three fundamental questions regarding the origin of the Nativity and Epiphany feasts: (1) when and where did these feasts first appear? (2) why were they introduced at certain points in Church history? (3) why were December 25 and January 6 chosen as the dates for their celebration? Naumowicz makes it clear from the start that there are no direct expositions from early Christian sources explaining the introduction of these feasts. Consequently, much of the book revolves around interpreting available texts, many of which provide theological justifications for already established celebrations rather than focusing on their initial creation.
The book is divided into three major parts: In Part I: Preparation for the Feasts (up to 325 AD), Naumowicz examines early patristic writings and interpretations from the second and third centuries to determine whether the Nativity and Epiphany were celebrated before the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The author investigates the earliest known attempts to calculate the birth of Jesus, particularly through the works of Clement of Alexandria, Hippolytus of Rome, and the anonymous author of De Pascha Computus. Naumowicz begins by presenting the dates suggested for Jesus’s birth in these early writings, all of which were associated with spring and the Jewish Passover. For instance, Clement of Alexandria records several possible birth dates in April and May, while Hippolytus of Rome proposed April 2, a date that Naumowicz links to the Passover. The tendency to associate Jesus’s birth with the Passover reflects an early Christian tradition of connecting key moments in Jesus’s life, such as his birth and death, with this major Jewish festival. This part of the book also addresses methodological questions, exploring whether the rise of these feasts was more influenced by post-Constantinian developments or earlier Christian theology and culture.
Part II is The Origins of the Bethlehem Epiphaneia and Roman Natale. This section focuses on the establishment of the two feast days, January 6 (Epiphany) and December 25 (Nativity), in the Eastern and Western Christian traditions, respectively. Naumowicz traces the emergence of the Epiphany in the East, with Egypt, Syria, and Palestine being key locations. He explores the connection between the celebration of Jesus’s baptism and the commemoration of his birth, which were initially intertwined in the early celebration of the Epiphany. Naumowicz also investigates the Roman origins of the Nativity feast, emphasizing that the celebration on December 25 was solidified in the West during the fourth century. This part of the book engages with the ongoing scholarly debate regarding the possible links between the Roman festival of Sol Invictus on December 25 and the adoption of that date for Christmas. While some scholars argue that the Church deliberately chose this date to overshadow a pagan celebration, Naumowicz presents a more nuanced view, suggesting that while the proximity of the dates may not be coincidental, the theological reasons behind choosing December 25 should not be dismissed.
The final section of the book “Patristic Explanations of the Origins of Nativity and Epiphany” explores the various explanations provided by early Church Fathers for the establishment of these two feasts. Naumowicz divides the patristic justifications into three categories: (1) arguments based on biblical symbolism, (2) references to Church tradition and early Christian writings, and (3) connections to pagan customs. The biblical symbolism of light and the sun is a particularly important theme in the explanation of December 25 as the date of Jesus’s birth. Early Christian writers, such as John Chrysostom and Augustine, linked the birth of Christ to the winter solstice, which was viewed as a symbolic representation of the coming of the “Light of the World.” Naumowicz highlights that this symbolism provided a strong theological rationale for adopting December 25 as the date for celebrating Christ’s birth, even if the date itself may have coincided with earlier pagan festivities.
In addition to biblical symbolism, Naumowicz explores the patristic argument that the dates of the Nativity and Epiphany were rooted in apostolic tradition. Some early Church Fathers, including Epiphanius of Salamis, suggested that the feasts had apostolic origins, thereby grounding their authority in the earliest traditions of the Church. The third line of explanation is the connection to pagan festivals. While many modern scholars emphasize the role of the Roman Sol Invictus festival in the selection of December 25, Naumowicz critiques this view, showing that patristic sources often downplay or ignore direct competition with pagan customs. Instead, early Christian writers focused on celebrating the theological significance of Christ’s birth as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
Naumowicz’s greatest strength lies in his detailed and balanced approach to a complex subject. He masterfully navigates through a range of patristic texts and historical sources, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of how and why the feasts of Nativity and Epiphany emerged. His attention to both the theological and cultural dimensions of these celebrations is particularly commendable. The book also raises important methodological questions. Naumowicz challenges simplistic explanations of the origins of Christmas and Epiphany, arguing that a combination of theological, liturgical, and cultural factors contributed to their establishment. He brings into focus the role of early Christian efforts to integrate Jewish, Greco-Roman, and Christian traditions into a cohesive liturgical practice.
Additionally, Naumowicz’s examination of the intertwined histories of the Nativity and Epiphany offers new insights into how these feasts were initially celebrated as part of a unified tradition. His analysis of early sources suggesting that the Epiphany preceded the Nativity in many Christian communities adds a fresh perspective to the understanding of early Christian liturgical development.
While The Origin of the Feast of the Nativity in the Patristic is an impressive scholarly achievement, its dense and specialized content may make it less accessible to general readers. The book is clearly aimed at an academic audience, particularly those with a background in early Christian studies, theology, and liturgy. Some sections, particularly those dealing with complex chronological systems and ancient calendars, may be challenging for readers unfamiliar with these technical aspects of the study. Furthermore, although Naumowicz provides a thorough analysis of the Roman and Eastern traditions, the book could have benefited from a broader exploration of other early Christian regions, such as North Africa, which also played a role in the development of Christian liturgical practices.
Jozef Naumowicz’s The Origin of the Feast of the Nativity in the Patristic is an essential contribution to the field of early Christian studies. His meticulous research and careful interpretation of patristic sources shed new light on the origins of two of Christianity’s most important feasts—Christmas and Epiphany. By examining these celebrations through the lenses of theology, liturgy, and culture, Naumowicz offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking study that will serve as a valuable resource for scholars and students of early Christian history.
