Mithras was and Constantine told people in order to regain newly converted Christians to return to pagan worship that Mithras the Sun God of light and Jesus Christ the Son of God and light of the world were one and the same. Mithras birth was Dec. 25th. Christ was born around end of September to Mid October. Constantine decreed Christmas as a Roman holiday to be all inclusive for all gods, Gods, and beliefs. However anyone celebrating such is in direct rebellion of God and his laws. We are told in many biblical passages not to learn or partipate in the ways of the pagans. You cannot mix sweet water with bitter the sweet will all become bitter. All that glitters is not Gold or pure. There is the fake and the false. So We for one do NOT and will not celebrate this pagan origion holiday and for Congress to have made it a Federal Holiday violates Church and state. It embraces some religious beliefs over others which they were NEVER supposed to do. They should make Chanakah an national holiday equally too and any other religious celebration as well.