When Was Jesus Really Born?

WHEN WAS JESUS REALLY BORN?

Why is it important to know when Jesus was born?

It is important to know because the true date, which studies conclude is not December 25th will destroy the entire foundation of what the Christmas holiday is suppose to actually stand for. It is also important for us to know the truth of these details in order to provide common sense reasons for our beliefs. It is a fact that we live in a world of perplexity and confusion, especially where religion is concerned. For this fact, we must know what is true so we will not be fooled into believing what is counterfeit. Many will say that this question isn't important so long as we celebrate it at some time during the year. My answer to that is in saying that Jesus didn't want us to focus on celebrating his him and/or his birth or life, but rather to focus on our own lives, understanding why he died for us and living out our purpose here on earth. Others may say that we'll never really know. However, I believe that it is important to know and understand the facts that are available so that we can make our own sound decisions.

Christmas as we know it, is the 25th of December every year, and is supposed to represent the birth of Jesus Christ. However, this day was created by the Catholic Church in (336 A.D.) to replace the Roman pagan holiday, Saturnalia. December 25th was actually the birthday of the Sun God, Mithra and in an attempt to get rid of the pagan holiday the early church made this day the birthday of the Son of God. This was a fairly easy transition since it was already the birthday for the Sun God.

The pagan festival Saturnalia was a time of merriment and gift exchange. It was also a time for adults to give gifts to children and the less fortunate people of the world. They would add lights to their houses and would end the festival on New Year's Day with a huge feast, outwardly pretty similar to how we celebrate today. It seems that when the early church decided on making Christmas a holiday to over shadow this pagan festival they took some of the pagan tradition along with it as well.

So if Christmas is not the actual day of Jesus' birth then when was he really born?

According to the Bible, the conception of Jesus Christ was six months after the conception of John the Baptist. In narrative of Luke, he writes about the story of Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth was never able to bear children and at this point in time both Elizabeth and Zacharias were slightly older in age and still childless. During the course of Abijah which is the 8th course during the time when priests served in the temple and this was Zacharias' time to serve. During this time, which according to theologists was from June 3rd to June 17th, he was visited by an angel name Gabriel who told him that he and Elizabeth would bare a son and that they were to name him John.

Luke 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

Luke 1:25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel visited Mary (who was said to be a virgin) and said, "behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a child and you will call his name Jesus" (Luke 1:31)

According to this story, it is safe to assume that since Zacharias worked the ninth and tenth week of the course of Abijah which was in June, and Elizabeth was with child thereafter. Six months after her conception would be in late December, which was when Mary was told about her conception. Counting 9 months from the time of conception would lead us to believe that Jesus was born in latter days of September. September 29 to be exact, as some theologists would explain it.

To further pin point the fact of Jesus not being born in December, I went to the book of Luke again. It expresses that around the time of Jesus' birth the shepherds would tend to their flock in the fields at night.

Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

This is a significant piece of information because shepherds keep their flock in the fields between the months of April and October when the weather is not cold. In the cold and rainy winter months the shepherds take their flock home for shelter.