What is the birth date of Jesus Christ? Was 25 December a fake date all along?

Many Christian traditions, if not all, observe Christ's birthday on December 25th and the Eastern churches celebrate on January 6th. But we know very well that this is not the date for our LORD's birthday.

Is it important to get the date right? Many, I have heard arguing with me, that it is not important, as long as we celebrate it one day a year.

However, when we observe the text of Scripture and we discover that the answer is in the Scripture itself, that should amaze us to know that God did not want us to be ignorant and it demands a bit of intellectual exercise to study and observe carefully the text in front of us.

1 Thes 5:21 test everything and hold fast what is good

1 John 4:1 Beloved do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Mass of Christmas is a catholic church service held on Christmas eve.

Jesus said, “they worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men” (Mark 7:7-8)

In 400 AD the Roman festival Saturnalia was replaced by the observance of Christmas. It started as a one-day event to honour Saturn, the Roman god of farming and the harvest. It included a sacrifice of young pigs at a temple dedicated to Saturn, which were then eaten at a public feast the next day. Originally it was held on 17 December, but over the centuries it was extended from 17–23 December.

When was Jesus born?

Let us make some careful observation on what clues we have in the Bible. You will be surprised that the answer is found in the Scripture because, amazingly, God did not want us to be ignorant of such event. But it demands a careful observation of the text and patience and desire to want to learn. This is the basic for proper interpretation of the Bible. Study the historical background and the context of the text and find answers in the chapter, or book or corresponding books in the Bible.



First let us look at the Bethlehem story.

Bethlehem is the site of Christ's birth.

Shepherds

Luke 2:8-11 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the LORD.

Shepherds were keeping their sheep overnight; not in the cold of December month. That exclude 25 December.

It is common knowledge that flocks are kept out only between April to October. From November to March, they are the cold, rainy season in Israel.

Hence the blessed event must have occurred during the warmer months, the drier month, not at the end of December.

It is also the custom of the Jewish family, including Jesus’ family to attend the Feasts in Jerusalem. The feast would also explain why the inns were all full.

Census

Another consideration is that the Roman government would be unlikely to irritate the population by asking the people to travel across the land of the empire to register for census (taxes) during the difficult, cold winter months which can also be treacherous.

Conception of John the Baptist

Now let us look at the conception of John the Baptist.

Luke 1:5-25 reads:

Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

Luke 1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

Luke 1:8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,

Luke 1:9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

Luke 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

Luke 1:11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Luke 1:12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Luke 1:14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

Luke 1:15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

Luke 1:16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, Luke 1:17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Luke 1:18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

Luke 1:19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

Luke 1:20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Luke 1:21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple.

Luke 1:22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute.

Luke 1:23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

Luke 1:24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying,

Luke 1:25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

In Luke 1:5-25 a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah.

Established by David: there were 24 courses of duty for the priests (1 Chronicles 24) and they all served during the long holidays (Unleavened Bread and Feast of Tabernacles which lasted a whole 7 days).

1 Chronicle 24:10 tells us that the 8th course was for Abijah (Luke 1:5).

Month of Nisan (first month of Jewish calendar) in year 6BC began on Saturday March 20th and all the holidays ended around 29th May.

Elizabeth conceived around the month of June and Luke 1:24 says that she became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

6th month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy: Mary, mother of Jesus heard about Elizabeth being pregnant = 15th December 6BC.

The Birth of Christ

Conception date around 1st of Hanukkah (6th December 6BC)

Jesus was born by the middle of September at the Feast of Tabernacles which started on that year on September 16th 5BC)

Deut. 16:13-14 speak of the Feast of Tabernacles lasted 7 days, and God said that the people will rejoice.

Same language of rejoice is said by the angel to Mary in Luke 2:10 of great joy to all people.

God tabernacled among us as He was a foreshadow of God living among us, His name is Emmanuel.