Jesus and Saturnalia

This time of year the internet is full of memes accusing Jesus and Constantine of hijacking the traditions of Saturnalia, an ancient festival honoring the pagan god Saturn.

 

But Christians in northern Africa were celebrating Jesus' birth in December before Constantine was emperor. Perhaps because Jewish tradition stated great prophets were conceived and died on the same date. 

 

Was Jesus born in December?

 

Maybe not. There seems to be more evidence pointing to...