THE real Christmas Day and the 2000th anniversary of Christ's birth

probably fell yesterday, according to an astronomer. Historical evidence

all pointed to Christ having been born seven years earlier than thought,

in the year now calculated as 7BC, said Dr David Hughes of Sheffield

University. Christians did not start celebrating Christmas until 336 AD,

and chose the date as December 25, which was close to the Roman feast of

Saturnalia. ''There is no specific indication in the Bible of when

Christ was born,'' said Dr Hughes. ''Historically, it is accepted it was

between 8BC and 1BC, and the astronomical evidence points to September

15 in 7BC.''