Was Jesus born on December 25? | When was Jesus Born? | Was Jesus Born on Christmas?

The Historical Question of Jesus’ Birth Date

Question, was Jesus born on December 25th? Is December 25th Jesus' birthday? In this video I'll answer those questions from a biblical perspective. Afterwards I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.

Speculation as to the time of Jesus' birth dates back to the 3rd century, when Hippolytus claimed that Jesus was born on December 25th. The earliest mention of some sort of observance on that date is in the Philoklean calendar, representing Roman practice of the year 336.

Later, John Chrysostom favored the same date of birth. Searle of Jerusalem had access to the original Roman birth census, which also documented that Jesus was born on the 25th of December. The date eventually became the officially recognized date for Christmas, in part because it coincided with pagan festivals celebrating Saturnalia and the winter solstice.

The Church thereby offered people a Christian alternative to the pagan festivities and eventually reinterpreted many of their symbols and actions in ways acceptable to Christian faith and practice. December 25th has become more and more acceptable as the birth date of Jesus.

Why Some Argue for a Different Season

However, some argue that the birth occurred in some other season, such as in the fall. Followers of this theory claim that the Judean winters were too cold for shepherds to be watching their flocks by night.

History proves otherwise, however, and we have historical evidence that unblemished lambs for the temple sacrifice were in fact kept in the fields near Bethlehem during the winter months. With that said, it's impossible to prove whether or not Jesus was born on December 25th, and ultimately it does not matter.

The Bible Does Not Give an Exact Date

The truth is, we simply don't know the exact date of our Savior's birth. In fact, we don't even know for sure the year in which He was born. Scholars believe it was somewhere between 6 BC and 4 BC. One thing is clear, if God felt it was important for us to know the exact date of the Savior's birth, He certainly would have told us in His Word.

The Gospel of Luke gives very specific details about the event, even down to what the baby was wearing, swaddling clothes, and where he slept in a manger. These details are important because they speak of His nature and character, meek and lowly.

What Christians Should Celebrate About Christ’s Birth

But the exact date of His birth has no significance whatsoever, which may be why God chose not to mention it. The fact is that He was born and that He came into the world to atone for our sin, that He was resurrected to eternal life, and that He is alive today.

This is what we should celebrate, as we are told in the Old Testament in such passages as Zechariah 2 verse 10, "...shout and be glad, O daughters of Zion! For I am coming, and I will live among you, declares the Lord.".

Further, the angel that announced the birth to the shepherds brought good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Surely here is the cause for celebration every day, not just once a year. Hungry for more?

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