Since it is suppose to be his birthday, did his family and friends celebrate it? When did people start celebrating it?
Answers (2)
Always remember that Jesus was born in an eastern culture. Customs were different, language was different.
Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
In that culture the birthday boy would buy a store's entire stock and then stand in the street to urge people to come in and celebrate with him. The actual birth of a baby was a family event, and not a very important one. After all, everybody gets born.
No
The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor). A few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on the 25th December.